Zoja Antuchevicis the CEO at SolutionLab (based in Vilnius, Lithuania), listed on 50Pros as a top 50 firm in Cybersecurity, Web Development, & Cloud Consulting.
In this Q&A, Zoja shares her in-depth perspective, unique background, robust experiences, and insightful tips.
I started my career as a project manager and marketing specialist, and progressed to senior roles at FortConsult A/S (DK) and NCC Group (UK), where I was the Director of UAB NCC Group (LT) and East/Regional Manager. Currently, as the CEO and Partner of Solutionlab, I oversee the operations of an organization that leverages IT as an enabler of innovation for the business. With more than 15 years of experience in IT Security, I have increased Solutionlab's market share by becoming a trusted partner for solving clients' challenges and problems, and repositioned Solutionlab as a recognised and credible player in the industry.
The passion for IT, the studies at the university (I have an MBA in Information Systems Management and a BBA from Vilnius University), people around me, and a vision to provide modern, custom, and cost-effective solutions to clients, the empathy, the leadership and entrepreneurial mindset.
I love what I am doing, plus I practice pause and reflect on the sources of stress, imbalance, in both work and personal domains, and identify the priorities, values, and goals that matter most, redefine roles and expectations in both work and personal domains, and communicate them clearly to relevant stakeholders, seek support from various sources, such as mentors, coaches, peers, networks, family members, friends, or professional services, to cope with challenges and achieve goals. Finally, I monitor and adjust the work-life balance cycle regularly, as circumstances and priorities change over time.
Always believe in yourself, in what you do, whatever you do.
I like to touch new technologies, processes, I love dogs and travel, and sports cars.
Unknown indeterminacy, innovation, permanent changes, people, and opportunities to learn new things.
1. Increase diversity and inclusion in the IT workforce, especially for women, and other underrepresented groups, to foster innovation, creativity, and social responsibility.
2. Strengthen cybersecurity and data privacy measures, standards, and regulations, to protect the IT systems, networks, and data from malicious attacks, breaches, and leaks.
3. Promote ethical and responsible use of AI and other emerging technologies, to ensure that they are aligned with human values, rights, and interests, and that they do not cause harm or bias to individuals or society.
4. Enhance collaboration and communication among different IT stakeholders, such as developers, users, clients, regulators, researchers, etc., to improve the quality, usability, and impact of IT products and services.
5. Support continuous learning and development for IT professionals and aspiring IT workers, to keep up with the fast-changing IT landscape and the evolving skills and competencies required.
There are many things that I wish people knew about this industry, but here are some of the most important ones - the systems are not perfect, neutral, or omniscient. The industry's players are constantly evolving and adapting to the changing needs and expectations of users, as well as the changing nature and dynamics of the web. They also must keep up with the latest developments and innovations in technology, science, and society, which can create new opportunities and challenges for them. They are influenced by various factors, such as their own goals and values, their business models and partners, their user feedback and behavior, their legal and ethical obligations, and their social and environmental impacts. All of us are the elements of the big ecosystem, and everyone is making an impact on it.
The most complex difficult decisions are always related to people, not to IT.
At that time, I worked as a telemarketing specialist, - it was cold call, - the practice/ experience in telemarketing gave me a lot in the future.
We get clients today by caring for them and delivering high-quality services that solve their complex tech problems. We also bring a personalized approach and build long-term relationships with them.
We have a few ways of improving and learning over time, such as the feedback, the data from various sources, the experimentation, the learning from various sources, such as web content, books, articles, courses, podcasts, etc., to update and expand the knowledge and skills. We also learn from other colleagues that can offer different perspectives or approaches to similar problems or tasks. I think they are important for staying relevant, competitive, and useful in the fast-changing and dynamic world.
I can highlight some of the most common and critical ones: hardening cybersecurity, operationalising artificial intelligence, coping with economic pressures and uncertainty, modernizing at speed, innovating meaningfully. These are some of the biggest issues that firms face in IT today. Of course, there are many other issues that could be relevant for different firms in different contexts.
Research, learning, networking, experimenting, sharing, - building the community. I think building the community is so important, as it can help to create a supportive and collaborative environment for learning and sharing.
There are many changes that I have seen occur, but I can highlight some of the most significant ones: the rise of smartphones and mobile apps, the expansion of cloud computing and services, the completion of the Human Genome Project, the emergence of artificial intelligence and machine learning, the development of social media and online platforms.
Predicting the future of IT is always challenging, but based on current trends and advancements, we can speculate on some potential changes that we may face in the IT industry: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Automation, Edge Computing, 5G Technology, Quantum Computing, Cybersecurity Challenges, Blockchain Applications, Cloud Computing, Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR), Internet of Things (IoT) Expansion, skill Requirements and Training, ethical and privacy concerns, green IT Initiatives, and etc. It's just predictions - the actual future of IT may hold surprises that we cannot anticipate today. The pace of technological advancement and the emergence of new innovations will play a vital role in shaping the future of IT.
Yes, I do. Edge computing will gain more prominence as IoT (Internet of Things) devices become widespread.
It is very individual, but I can suggest some questions - what are our goals and needs? what are our expectations and requirements? What challenges have you had? What are your preferences and values?
Behind the company there are real people who care about the real people behind the partner’s company. Our personalized approach and long-term, productive partnerships are important to us. We have a client-centered, solution-focused mindset.
We position ourselves as professionals in the tech field that provide solutions to even the most complex of our clients' problems. Not only do we provide high quality professional services, but we also share our expertise in the field with the audience. We provide personalized care to the client and are oriented to build long-term relationships.
The most important thing is a good idea and a supportive team, also it is needed to consider the following, - find your niche and value proposition, build a network, leverage technology and innovation, manage finances and risks.
Networking plays a very important role in growing business because it helps you build relationships with other professionals, potential customers, and suppliers that can benefit your career and business prospects.
Every team is unique, and different approaches may work better for certain groups. Stay open to feedback from team members and be willing to adapt our strategies to meet their needs and preferences. By investing in your team's well-being and engagement, we create a more motivated and productive work environment. I'd say that it is so important to lead by example, be a role model for the team. Demonstrate passion, enthusiasm, and commitment to your work. Show that you value and prioritize the same principles that you expect from your team members.
SolutionLab is a company with more than 15 years of experience in the fields of development and cybersecurity. It has a strong financial position, with high leverage and liquidity ratios and satisfactory earnings performance. It is also a stable and growing company that strives for excellence. Solutionlab is a Gold Umbraco Partner and Microsoft Gold Certified Partner.
The latest is the following - "I'm impressed with their attention to detail."
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