We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Peter Santis a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Peter, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Too often the media represents innovation as something magical that only high-flying tech billionaires and upstarts engage in – but the truth is almost every business owner has to regularly innovate in small and big ways in order for their businesses to survive and thrive. Can you share a story that highlights something innovative you’ve done over the course of your career?
The most innovative thing I’ve done in my career was co-founding a company that initially started as a small networking integration firm with just five employees. Two years in, we recognized emerging market trends and swiftly pivoted to become a managed services provider. This transition involved a strategic shift towards offering software and hardware as a management service, which was quite innovative at the time.
Through careful planning and execution, we grew the company from its humble beginnings to a team of 75 dedicated professionals. Along the way, we constantly pushed boundaries by carving out new service offerings and attracting a diverse range of customers. Ultimately, our hard work paid off, culminating in the successful sale of the business. This experience taught me the invaluable lesson of adaptability and seizing opportunities in evolving industries.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Peter Santis is Factorial HR’s Head of North America. Leading Factorial’s new office in Miami, Santis spearheads the growth of the company and the adoption of its solutions by new clients who seek to save time and money by effectively automating their HR processes. With over 20 years of experience, Santis has spent much of his career building high-performing teams in emerging B2B software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies.
Factorial offers people-centric solutions for HR teams, automating processes so they have more time to dedicate to the people within their organization. With over 75,000 users across 65+ countries, Factorial has served clients such as KFC, Booking.com, and Whisbi. Factorial became the newest SaaS Unicorn in 2022 following a Series C investment round.
Any advice for managing a team?
Managing a team and nurturing high morale is the key to successful leadership, and my approach draws from a wealth of experience at Factorial. Whether in the office or working remotely, I’ve found that regular touchpoints are paramount. For remote teams, this means maintaining constant communication, even on an hourly basis, to bridge any physical distance. It’s crucial to instill a sense of belonging, ensuring that every member feels valued and an integral part of the team. Additionally, I firmly believe in aligning individual goals with the company’s overarching mission. Helping team members understand how their contributions fit into the larger picture enhances motivation and commitment.
One of the most powerful motivators is providing opportunities for personal and professional growth within the organization. I make it a priority to highlight the potential for advancement and provide the necessary resources and support for team members to chart their own career paths. I encourage a “mercenary” mindset in a positive sense – empowering individuals to take ownership of their own progress and consistently deliver their best work. This instills a culture of ambition and excellence, propelling not only their careers but also the collective success of the team.
Transparency is a cornerstone of my leadership style. I believe in open and honest communication, which builds trust and long-term relationships. When employees see that their leaders are genuine, it fosters a positive and healthy work environment. Additionally, I actively promote from within the organization whenever possible. This not only recognizes and rewards hard work, but also motivates others to strive for similar advancements.
Lastly, setting and regularly reviewing clear, achievable goals is essential. This applies to both individuals and the team as a whole. By maintaining a clear vision and providing constructive feedback, everyone remains aligned and motivated toward a common objective. Through these strategies, I’ve seen firsthand how a positive and dynamic work environment can not only boost morale but also cultivate a motivated and high-performing team.
Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?
One of my favorite sales stories revolves around an opportunity with the largest producer of electric vehicles in the US. It was a seven-figure deal, a significant endeavor by any measure. My team and I had to act swiftly to instill confidence, starting from the CIO down to the rest of the team. We embarked on a series of site meetings, working alongside them to build out a portion of the project even before finalizing the deal. Additionally, we invested significant effort in understanding the weaknesses of our competitors, using that insight to our advantage. This hands-on approach not only showcased our expertise but also demonstrated our commitment to their success.
However, what sealed the deal was the emphasis on building trust throughout the entire process. As the project progressed, it became evident that the success of this venture was not just about technology, but also about the strength of our commitment and the personal connections we had forged. This reinforced the belief that it is imperative to rise above any excuses as to why something can’t be achieved, and instead, approach every challenge with a positive perspective and outlook.
Contact Info: