CEO Insights Magazine

In the realm of business, the role of a leader is pivotal, encompassing multifaceted responsibilities that shape the direction, resilience, and success of a company. A managing partner, in particular, bears the weight of strategic decision-making, financial stewardship, team leadership, and innovative problem-solving. Their influence spans across various facets, steering the company through challenges while capitalizing on opportunities for growth and sustainability.

Ma. Concepcion Julian, President and CEO at Touchcore Solutions, embodies the essence of a dynamic business leader. With a career spanning over three decades in the sales industry, her journey reflects a trajectory marked by profound evolution, learning, and consistent growth. Her initiation into the corporate world occurred in the 1990s within the sales division of multinational corporations. Throughout these formative years, she ascended through the ranks, eventually culminating in her tenure as the Head of the Sales Department for a specialized firm dealing with power and cooling solutions.

In this pivotal role, Ma. Concepcion Julian adeptly cultivated enduring relationships with clients, recognizing the intrinsic value of trust and satisfaction in a fiercely competitive market. Her leadership prowess extended beyond sales management; assuming the mantle of a manager allowed her to curate and lead a team, overseeing their performance while nurturing their professional development.

The culmination of these experiences propelled Ma. Concepcion Julian towards a defining career shift - the co-founding of Touchcore Solutions. Within this venture, her responsibilities magnified, necessitating her integral role in molding business strategies that aligned harmoniously with the company's long-term aspirations. As a stalwart guide, she navigated the team through challenges, leveraging her adeptness in identifying innovative solutions to safeguard the company's survival and sustained growth.

As a business owner, her responsibilities expanded further to encompass the safeguarding of Touchcore Solutions' financial health. In this capacity, she steers the company towards financial objectives, skillfully managing resources to ensure sustained profitability while fortifying the organization against economic uncertainties.

Ma. Concepcion Julian's career journey has been a testament to adaptability, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to a customer-centric approach in business operations. Her wealth of experiences has honed a comprehensive skill set poised to add substantial value to any organization. Through overcoming myriad challenges and imbibing invaluable lessons, she stands prepared to meet the diverse demands of the contemporary business landscape. Let’s hear more from her in this one on one interaction.

How would you characterize Touchcore Solutions as a company and its current standing within the market? Touchcore Solutions stands as a pioneering entity specializing in power, cooling and data center solutions. In just seven years, we've made significant advancements, positioning ourselves as frontrunners in our sector. The recognition of Touchcore as a leading company in our field is a source of immense pride for us. Collaborations with industry giants like Globe, ePLDT Vitro, Digital Edge Data Center, Telstra, Google, Paypal, Telus, Concentrix, BDO, to name a few underscore the trust and esteem we've garnered in the market. Notably, our exclusive distribution partnership with Stulz in the Philippines and other foreign partners has been instrumental in fueling Touchcore's success, emphasizing our dedication to providing state-ofthe-art solutions to our clientele.

Furthermore, our distinction as the inaugural installation of Coil Wall equipment in a hyperscale data center in the Greater Manila area adds weight to our reputation. Touchcore's current market position mirrors our unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and fostering robust alliances. We're steadily ascending, consistently broadening our footprint and impact within the industry. 

Can you share insights into the distinctive experiences provided by Mapua University and the lessons learned from the campus that transcend academic teachings? Mapua Institute of Technology, now Mapua University presented me with an extraordinary educational journey that went beyond the confines of traditional academics. The institution imbued in me a robust set of values that have profoundly impacted both my personal and professional endeavors. The core values upheld by Mapua discipline, excellence, commitment, integrity, and relevance have formed the bedrock of my trajectory and achievements. As part of the first batch of Computer Engineering in Mapua, undoubtedly, the university provided a unique amalgamation of academic prowess and valuesdriven education. These fundamental principles haven't merely influenced my character; they have served as a cornerstone for my accomplishments as an entrepreneur. They persistently steer my choices, interactions, and dedication to achieving excellence across all facets of my professional life.

Can you elaborate on your leadership style and the principles or methodologies guiding your approach? In my role as a leader, my approach centers on embedding our organization's fundamental values within my team, which act as the guiding tenets for our accomplishments at Touchcore. These pivotal principles encompass a client-centric ethos, a commitment to providing expert and exceptional service, and the assurance of swift and dependable responses. Our leadership primarily revolves around placing our clients at the nucleus of every action we take. We prioritize comprehending their distinct needs, obstacles, and aspirations.

Moreover, we maintain an unwavering dedication to expertise and excellence across all facets of our operations. Encouraging continual learning and development ensures that our team remains abreast of industry advancements and innovations. This steadfast commitment enables us to furnish superior service that our clients can place their trust in.

Furthermore, we underscore the significance of responsiveness to our clients' inquiries, concerns, and requirements. This not only fosters trust but also guarantees that we promptly tackle challenges. By adhering staunchly to these core values, we cultivate a workspace where each team member aligns with our mission and is committed to delivering exceptional service to our clients.

This approach has been instrumental in propelling our growth and fostering success at Touchcore, enabling us to create an environment where our clients receive unparalleled service while our team remains dedicated to achieving our organizational goals. 

For me, leadership is the ability to guide, inspire, and influence a group of people to work together towards a common goal or vision. It involves setting a direction, making decisions, and providing support and motivation to achieve objectives. Leadership can take many forms and can be found in various aspects of life, from business and politics to community and personal relationship.

What drives your daily routines and keeps you motivated?

The impetus behind my daily routines stems from a sincere passion for my profession, a profound sense of accountability as a business owner, and an unwavering quest for continual progress and excellence. Throughout the years, my affinity for the sales industry has grown immensely, and I derive immense gratification from nurturing relationships with customers. Furthermore, the responsibility of steering a business serves as a compelling force that fuels my motivation to ensure the sustained success and expansion of the company. This commitment naturally extends to fostering the growth and wellbeing of my team, all while relentlessly pursuing the attainment of our company's objectives.

What strategies do you employ to stay updated on industry trends and lead your organization into the future?

To ensure our organization remains aligned with ongoing industry trends and poised for the future, we prioritize two fundamental aspects: fostering networks and relationships, and fostering a culture of perpetual learning and research. Actively participating in conferences, seminars, and industry-specific events is integral to nurturing relationships and acquiring valuable insights. Moreover, we promote a culture of continual learning and research within our team, ensuring they remain well-versed in the latest advancements in our field. These concerted endeavors empower us to make informed decisions and navigate our organization toward a prosperous future.

Where is Touchcore headed in the future?

At Touchcore, our future trajectory is evident: we are focused on fostering growth by harnessing our substantial experience in associated industries, our robust network of contacts, and our comprehensive business proficiency. Our core goals revolve around augmenting revenue streams and broadening our market presence. We are dedicated to utilizing our strengths and strategic acumen to attain these objectives, propelling us forward on our path to sustained success.

In the light of your strong experience within the industry, what advice would you give to the budding industry leaders?

Given my experience within the industry, my advice to emerging industry leaders revolves around two pivotal principles: resilience and embracing challenges. Irrespective of the industry, uncertainties, market fluctuations, and unexpected hurdles are inevitable. Resilience serves as a shield against these challenges, empowering individuals to endure tough times and emerge stronger.

Moreover, rather than avoiding difficult situations, actively seek them out. Challenges often catalyze significant personal and professional growth. They propel individuals beyond their comfort zones, fostering confidence and fortitude. Overcoming each obstacle reinforces one's capacity to tackle even greater challenges in the future.

For budding industry leaders, resilience and a proactive approach to challenges are fundamental pillars of success. These attributes enable individuals to navigate the dynamic business landscape, extract valuable lessons from adversities, and evolve into more resilient and adept leaders. It's not merely about enduring adversity but harnessing its potential to propel organizational progress forward.

Ma. Concepcion Julian, President & CEO, Touchcore Solutions

A dynamic business leader con julian, has a career spanning over three decades in the sales industry. Her illustrious journey reflects a trajectory marked by profound evolution, learning, and consistent growth. Her wealth of experiences has honed a comprehensive skill set poised to add substantial value to any organization.