Next month in CIO Review, Chris Wilson, CEO & President of Function Point Productivity Software, shares his knowledge on methods to mitigate business challenges in the project management solutions industry. Wilson explores how the company’s two most pressing problems—standing out in an intensely competitive sector, and securing staff in the fast-paced, high tech world—can be addressed to ensure profitability.
Function Point recently celebrated its 19th anniversary, and with almost two decades of experience at the helm, Wilson has developed a number of successful strategies to address these threats. First and foremost, he relies on the direction set by the Function Point core values of focus, respect, growth and balance, to provide a trustworthy and consistent lens through which to examine any issue. Wilson says, “When we return to our guiding principles and tie them together with the Function Point product vision, our team can take on any obstacle, by staying focused on our customers, knowing that we need to grow, be respected, and have a balance in life.”
In the CIO Review article, Wilson expands on how Function Point is positioned to captivate a niche in the industry, by developing project management software specifically for creative agencies, design studios and internal marketing departments. Function Point helps the creative services sector to be more productive and profitable through its cloud-based system, which integrates project management, time tracking, CRM, financial and business reporting tools. The tactic of providing a unique and tailored offering is a competitive advantage when compared to project management software that is too general for the creative services market. “There are a variety of competitors across the services that we offer,” says Wilson. “No one is really focused on that unique financial management piece, which helps us to stand out in the marketplace. We’re taking a finance first approach to profitability of a job, a client, and the utilization of team members.”
To address the company’s challenge of finding staff in the rapidly changing tech industry—in particular, hiring software engineers—Wilson discusses how critical it is to protect the company’s culture, in which a work-life balance is valued and employees are encouraged to grow. He believes that if personal growth is promoted, the company will grow too. Function Point supports this idea by granting every employee a $2000 education amount per year to contribute to further learning. He adds that to retain staff, it’s as equally important to hire those who are a good cultural fit. “We’re looking for people who are excited about coming to work, who are happy, hungry and humble,” says Wilson.
While market realities will inevitably influence strategic decision-making at Function Point, Wilson anticipates the company will continue to keep growing, through positioning itself in an industry niche, staying true to core values, and upholding a workplace culture that prioritizes a work-life balance and lifelong learning.
About Function Point Productivity Software Inc.
Function Point Productivity Software is the leading all-in-one project management solution specially designed for ad agencies, design studios and internal marketing departments who are looking to streamline their business. Our integrated software combines project management, time tracking, CRM, financial, and business reporting tools in one convenient cloud based system. Easy, effective and efficient — do more with Function Point.
For more information about the company and the services Function Point offers, please visit http://www.functionpoint.com
