We continue with the Inprosec Human Capital section. Today it will be Jose Martin’s turn, who since 2014 has done a magnificent job in the various functions he has been entrusted with.
What is your function within Inprosec?
Since July 2014, he has been part of the SAP department as a consultant specializing in SAP security and SAP GRC. In addition to participating as a consultant in the execution of recurring projects and services for the end customer, I have been involved in several internal projects for the development of new products within the SAP department or focused on the improvement of Inprosec’s internal management processes such as project management methodology or support in the reorganization of the finance department. On the other hand, and for a couple of years now, he has been combining the role of consultant with that of manager of SAP consulting services and projects, in which I lead the management and execution strategy and the consultants involved, with the aim of providing the maximum possible value to our clients. Likewise, within the hierarchical structure of the company, I am the manager of 2 people whom I guide and support in their professional career within Inprosec.
Of the roles you play in the company: consultant, service/project manager and manager, which one brings you the most?
It would be difficult to give a single answer, since each role is bringing me different experiences both professionally and personally. I’m sure I have much more fun in the technical execution of tasks, that is, as a consultant, because for me it’s the most fun and I think it’s the basis for professional development as a consultant.
Project management is also very interesting, the level of responsibility is much higher and you have to be very organized, something I have always liked. In addition, in recent years the role of manager has offered me the opportunity to travel abroad on several occasions, to participate in and even lead follow-up meetings and management committees with directors of large multinationals. Finally, thinking about my role as a manager, I think it is the one that helps me develop most at a personal level, because we deal with people and besides helping them with their professional development, we are their main contact within the company. For this role I believe that emotional psychology, communication and leadership play a very important role and are also competences that I like to put into practice.
What has Inprosec meant to your professional career?
Although I have not mentioned it before, I graduated in Higher Industrial Engineering, specializing in Installations and Construction. When I arrived at Inprosec in 2014 I had already been working in other companies, small jobs that I combined while studying to be an engineer to have extra money to help me with my studies. This, in addition to a pre-professional internship as an engineer, was my work experience before coming to Inprosec. But it was here that I was given the possibility of becoming a professional in a sector that was in great demand and unknown to me at the time. For me, Inprosec has meant a total change in what I expected my professional life to be, opening the doors of a sector with great opportunities and, above all, offering me the alternative of a career as an SAP consultant.
How do you manage to reconcile your personal and professional life?
There is no denying that consulting is a difficult sector and sometimes it is difficult to keep up with the times, but at Inprosec there are tools to make it easier. In the company we have flexible hours, being able to carry out the work schedule that best suits us within a range of mandatory hours (from 10 -14 and from 16-18). On the other hand, we can work from home whenever we want or need to, simply by informing our manager within the company and trying not to affect the rest of our colleagues. Also, if we need to be absent during working hours, this is allowed and we can make up those hours on another day or during the same week.
Tell us an anecdote that has drawn your attention to a situation at Inprosec.
One of the things that most caught my attention when I entered Inprosec was the fact that practically all the employees when they enter do so without having any idea of what SAP is. In fact, at Inprosec there are very different profiles, we have everything from a degree in Chemistry to Telecommunication and Industrial Engineers to Business Science graduates. The company’s philosophy is based on betting on local talent and training employees from scratch, giving them the opportunity to study another professional career.
What do you value most about working for a company like Inprosec?
There are several reasons, mainly I appreciate being able to work in the same place where I live, close to my family and friends. In addition, there are several internal policies that make our daily lives easier, such as flexible working hours or teleworking, which I mentioned earlier. On the other hand, it is essential for me to be able to advance professionally and this is something that is possible within Inprosec, thanks to the management of professional development and annual salary reviews. Another point that I value highly is the policies to support employee training. This means that by default, a percentage of our time can and must be dedicated to training, and we can take courses for which we receive financial support. In addition, we can attend international industry events that are fully subsidized by the company, in my case I have been attending the annual SAP GRC Europe event that has been held in Prague and Amsterdam in the last two years, respectively.
As an employee of a company specializing in cybersecurity, what is your advice to any entrepreneur who is starting out with respect to their systems?
For my recommendation would be that it should be given the necessary importance, and should be managed proactively so that we are always prepared and do not expose the company to unnecessary risks. On the other hand, I would say that if it cannot be managed internally, support should be sought from companies specialised in the sector, such as Inprosec, and generalist companies should be avoided.
What are your hobbies at the end of the working day?
Well, at the end of the day I like to relax and get rid of all the stress that I am accumulating throughout the day. I love the sport, both practicing it and watching it on TV, and although I’m a little forgotten now (the beginning of the year is always hard), I usually practice boxing three times a week. Apart from sport, I’m a fan of movies and series and there’s nothing better than coming home, lying on the couch with my partner and watching episodes of a series one after another. I don’t like any one genre over another, so I always have a lot of options to start a series or watch a new movie.
Who do you “nominate” to interview next and why?
I think I’m going to choose Manuel Bañobre, because he’s also been at Inprosec for quite some time, I think he’s had quite a lot of experience within the company and I think it’s interesting that he shares his vision of the IS (Information Security) department of Inprosec.