Rodelio Santos: Pushing Boundaries at Work and at Play

Working at ASW Global means not only having great opportunities to grow your career but also enjoying the benefits of a company culture that supports your well-being. Rodelio exemplifies this by taking on the challenges at work and in sports with enthusiasm, achieving work-life balance that ASW encourages. He is also grateful for ASW’s aid to the staff at the height of the pandemic, which served as a symbol of hope for him during trying times. Del shares his leadership insights, his role models, and his memorable experiences working at ASW.

1. Hi Rodelio, could you tell us a bit about yourself? Outside of work, what do you enjoy doing?

My friends and colleagues call me Del. I am a Senior Salesforce Developer at ASW for one of our client partners. Outside of work, I would describe myself as an adrenaline junkie. I used to compete and ride a skateboard when I was young. It was a very exciting and unforgettable part of my teenage days. Nowadays, I enjoy riding my motorcycle and go mountain biking with my kids.

2. What influenced you to enter a career in the IT industry, particularly focussing on Salesforce?

Because of my elder sister. I look up to her, she is my role model. She was a very good Java programmer. I used to work as a computer/laptop technician, so the work is more on the hardware side. I started doing Salesforce in 2008 which became my favourite because the application is easy to manage. Today, it is one of the world’s best CRM platforms.

3. Can you tell us more about your role here at ASW? How many years have you been with ASW?

I joined ASW as a Senior Salesforce Developer in January 2019 and I manage the Salesforce instance of one of our clients. I enjoy being their Salesforce guy for the past 3 years.

4. Can you tell us what your career was like before joining ASW?

My first job was working as a data technician in 2007 then I worked as a computer technician. In 2009, I started working as a Salesforce Consultant for several companies in different industries, mostly telco companies.

5. As a Senior Salesforce Administrator, how do you deal with the challenges that you face as a leader?

End-user training is one of the biggest challenges that I face. As a leader, I also need to motivate team leaders to encourage their members to embrace the software. Individuals have different ways to learn and train. Providing unique, tailored training options is crucial for helping employees adapt to change.

6. What project or task have you done at ASW that you are most proud of?

It was just my first month in the company when they sent me to the client’s location (Sydney/Melbourne) for a 2-week project. After 3 months, I returned for another project. It was one of my most memorable experiences at work because it was my first time going out of the country.

7. What do you like most about working for ASW?

I learned and experienced a lot of things from this company. I was able to push my boundaries. Aside from Salesforce, I had to learn how to handle some of the newest technologies/applications. I really enjoy and appreciate the opportunities they have provided for me. The management is kind and generous enough to provide for the needs of their employees, especially during the pandemic.

8. What changes have you seen within yourself when you took on a leadership role?

I have learned a lot, especially during this pandemic. One of the most important things I’ve learned is DO NOT LOSE HOPE. It will give you the courage to believe that things will still get better, even if the odds are not in your favour. It is the only thing that keeps us moving forward and gives us the strength to bounce back from any problems we are going through.

9. What important lessons have you learned in your leadership role?

Knowing myself. A leader doesn’t need to know everything and be good at everything to lead effectively. It is also important to ask questions and seek help from others. I am honest — especially to my superiors — about what I am not good at or what I do not know or am not capable of.

10. Who do you admire as a leader and why?

In sports, I admire Michael Jordan since I am a basketball fan. Aside from being famous for his perseverance and competitiveness on and off the court, he is also involved with a variety of charitable institutions that support children and families. I think this is one of the qualities that a leader should possess: being able to help and inspire others.

11. Thanks for your time! Is there any special message or advice you’d like to share with your fellow ASW colleagues?

Ask for new challenges. Continue to learn and grow. Learn from others and then teach others.