Finding solutions is one challenge. Staying within budget is quite another.

Jérôme Lecolazet

Sogeti High Tech, Project Manager

I joined Sogeti High Tech when they took over Sinfor Automation two years ago. First I worked on a customer’s site doing service delivery on international key accounts. Since then I’ve been associated with the Bureau d’Études of Sinfor Automation within Sogeti High Tech. My duties have shifted from providing a technical service on the customer’s site, to calculating estimates and cost prices for customer projects.   

My present work is Project Leader, managing projects. My main objectives are to satisfy the customer in relation to the technical objectives and to make sure there is a link between reaching that objective and the Sogeti development team. In concrete terms, it is about action planning and seeing that the objectives are met while working within the constraints as defined by the customer.

My part begins when we receive a tender from a customer. I prepare the tender document both technically and commercially. When the tender is precise and clearly defined, it is clear what the solution should be; everything is more or less set up to deliver the solution, so you just have to follow it through. However, when the potential assignment is more loosely defined and ‘open’, then we put forward a variety of technical solutions, outlining all the ‘pro’s and cons’, and as well as the cost implications.

I like the role of adviser, coming up with proposals and solutions.

That’s what attracted me to Sogeti High Tech - my interest in technology and the technical problems I was able to work on; that suited my passion for technology.

When I was a kid, I developed a deep interest in how things worked; I had quite a wide range of interests - electronics and physics in general. Today I can apply those interests professionally.

I find it very challenging to come up with the best solution and meet the customers’ needs with maximum flexibility and at the right price for the service delivered.

But sometimes the best solution does not match the customer’s budget. Then, because you are in a commercial business, you have to be flexible. Solution and budget have to be in balance.

Deciding on the right price is not always easy. Much depends on what is required. The more technology is applied, the higher the price; and vice versa; the bigger the budget, the better the solution. Of course, there’s also the competition to be considered; you must be able to justify your price level and what it is comprised of.

In the service industry, it is quite important that you differentiate yourself from your competitors. Sogeti is an important organization in terms of critical mass, but

what I like is the way we co-operate, the sharing of knowledge and the notion of a ‘nest’, the family feeling. That’s more important than only being in business for the money ;

that’s the feeling you get with most of our competitors.

At Sogeti you get many chances to develop yourself. There are training courses, managers who take an interest in you, and – particularly here at Sogeti High Tech – interesting solutions to get involved in. So, in 10 years’ time, maybe I will be in management. I certainly have the ambition, but for the moment, I’m very satisfied with my present situation.