CEO Insights Magazine

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is a dynamic and rapidly evolving industry, crucial in shaping the modern digital landscape and driving innovation across multiple sectors. With ongoing advancements, the industry will continue to be a driving force for global connectivity, economic growth, and societal transformation.

To this end, with over two decades of experience in the ICT industry, Johny Dermawan, Country Manager at Axis Communications Indonesia, brings extensive knowledge of business development. His career has included key positions at industry behemoths such as Compaq/HP, Dell, SAP, and Lenovo. Currently, Johny is steering Axis Communications toward collaborative solutions, positioning the firm at the forefront of the ICT industry's dynamic evolution.

In an exclusive interaction with CEO Insights Asia, Johny Dermawan enlightens us more about his professional traits and Axis Communications.

Give a brief account of your professional background and experiences.

With a 20-year career in the ICT industry, I've had the opportunity to work in a variety of roles and regions. Following graduation in Australia, I spent crucial years at Compaq/HP in Singapore, laying the groundwork for a career in the ICT Industry. Working with Seatech Infosys in Indonesia, which specializes in Insurance Software, broadened my horizons. Subsequent roles in Dell based out of Indonesia as a business development manager for South Asia developing markets expanded my knowledge, allowing me to collaborate with people from other countries, namely the Philippines, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Brunei. My enterprise solutions consulting skills were honed at SAP Consulting Indonesia, followed by compelling years at Lenovo Indonesia, where I refined my business development and people management skills. My passion for analytic solutions now finds an ideal platform as Country Manager at Axis Communications in Indonesia.

What is the motivation that fuels your daily routines and what is your success mantra?

I firmly believe that knowledge can emerge from any interaction, offering insights into more efficient goal attainment or highlighting pitfalls to avoid, and I embrace a daily commitment to continuous learning. Maintaining a positive attitude is essential for fostering motivation in all endeavors. Recognizing that success is frequently preceded by challenges, I've learned from successful people the importance of learning from mistakes. Reflecting on both failures and successes, the key to success is understanding and assimilating these experiences. My mentor's question, 'What went wrong, and how can it be avoided?' emphasizes the importance of insightful self-analysis. Accepting innovation and embracing new ventures with open arms are essential for continuous growth and wisdom acquisition.

Define Axis Communications as an organization and its current position in the market.

Axis Communications, founded in 1984 in Lund, Sweden, is a pioneer in video surveillance. In 1996, Axis invented the world's first network camera and changed the landscape of network-based surveillance. Axis enables a smarter and safer world by creating solutions for improving security and business performance. As a network technology company and industry leader, Axis offers solutions in video surveillance, access control, intercom, and audio systems. We are committed to ensuring the cybersecurity of our offerings. We provide guidance, advanced technologies, tools, and services that reflect and support cybersecurity best practices. We also collaborate with various technologies and system integration partners to foster a smarter, safer world. Axis has been a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact since 2007, adhering to human rights, anti-corruption, environmental, and labor standards. Axis has over 5,000 dedicated employees in over 50 countries and collaborates with technology and system integration partners worldwide to deliver customer solutions.

Tell us about your leadership approach. What are the guidelines/methodologies you follow as a leader?

The belief that trust is at the heart of interpersonal dynamics is central to my approach. In building relationships, trust must be earned rather than given. My priority is to build trust with my manager, peers, and team members while expecting the same in return. Collaboration is dependent on trust, which necessitates proactive measures and accountability. Prioritizing our company's interests, keeping promises, and fostering open communication are all non-negotiable. Working in collaboration with various entities, trust is built through consistent actions and commitments. As a leader, I am committed to nurturing, guiding, and empowering the team for collective success, understanding that a leader thrives when the team succeeds.

What future destination are you heading towards?

I am confident that Indonesia's economy will continue to grow in the coming years. The country has demonstrated strong resilience, and we at Axis intend to be a part of this growth by providing innovative solutions to support our customers' business growth. We continue to strengthen our foundation in Indonesia by collaborating closely with our business partners, upskilling them in new technologies, and incorporating our technology partners' solutions into our solution portfolios. We continue to collaborate closely with our customers to understand their needs and provide solutions that meet their needs today and in the future. Axis is committed to innovating for a smarter, safer world and Indonesia is part of that crucial journey.

What advice would you give to budding industry leaders?

This is more of a personal account of my professional journey rather than an advice. The industry in which I have worked is very dynamic. Technology is always evolving. We must be very agile in understanding how technology can be used to help our customers become more efficient, productive, and secure, and even open up new market opportunities. And as leaders, we must constantly inspire and encourage our teams to think creatively. As a result, they can be as agile as you in riding the digital transformation in this technology industry for the benefit of our customers' businesses.

Johny Dermawan, Country Manager, Axis Communications

A business development professional with over 20 years of experience, primarily in developing ICT-based solutions and services for markets in South Asia. Johny has extensive B2B experience working closely with companies in various business verticals as their trusted advisor for their investment in ICT-based solutions that allow them to run efficiently, predictably, and securely.

• Hobbies: Dining out, traveling and cooking
• Favorite Cuisine: Asian cuisines
• Favorite Travel Destination: Bali and Japan