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Jonno White
7 Questions with Luis Garma
7 Questions with Luis Garma
Name: Luis Garma
Current title: : Chairman
Current organisation: Mobile Smart City Corp
Mr. Garma has over 30 years of management experience in Technology, Telecommunications, Smart Cities, Urban Mobility, Parking Services, and Digital Payments. He has been involved with multicultural environments, working in several European, North and South American countries, for both private companies and public administrations.
Mr. Garma is a highly effective leader in diverse business environments including start-ups, early stage growth, and mature turn-around companies. He is process oriented, a high performer under pressure and driven for results by building and developing solid teams who learn how to lead.
Mr. Garma is a very active participant in several conferences and publications within the Inter American Development Bank and The World Bank.
Mr. Garma is a member of Young Presidents Organization (YPO-WPO International), a member of the YPO Washington Baltimore Chapter, Board Member of the Internet and Technology Network and Regional Chair for the Southeast US and the Caribbean.
Mr. Garma is a Board Member of Delaware Group, MyPark, Mobile Smart City (DBA Pango), Niikiis, and The Hispanic Innovation Center of Chicago.
1. What have you found most challenging as a leader of a small or medium enterprise?
getting the confidence of the customers
2. How did you become a leader of an SME? Can you please briefly tell the story?
I was a principal in a large consulting company and decided to start my own business, so I resigned and became the first employee of a small company which grew to 600 people and presence in more than 10 countries
3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?
I use an agenda and I'm very strict with meeting schedules and how I spend my time. I plan some breaks and some exercise as well.
4. What's the most recent significant leadership lesson you've learned?
Treat your team the same way you'd like to be treated. Teams are made of people who are just like you
5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?
The Art of the War. Chinese really have the clear strategy to win all battles...
6. How do you build leadership capacity in an SME?
leading by example. I don't usually tell the people what to do and how to do it, since I like to show them how I do my job and how I'm there to help/solve day-to-day issues.
7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader of an SME so far?
peoples engagement in the common goals and the work behind since SME don't have as many resources as larger corporations.