It’s long been my philosophy that professional potential is more important than job credentials. In fact, I believe that credentials can be a limiting factor. I find that drive and a willingness to learn are the most important factors in someone’s success. I also firmly believe in the power of global diversity—a belief that is a cornerstone of Syncfusion’s success. And as I have written about in the past, there are untapped pools of talent all around the world.
Since 2018, I have worked with a mission in Kisumu, Kenya, to teach job-oriented computer skills to high school students and graduates. While the university system in Kenya is fantastic, the cost is prohibitive for the vast majority, especially in rural areas. However, these young people have immense potential, and in many cases, just need an opportunity to show it.
For example, I was teaching a math exercise that took most students 30 minutes to complete, and around 20% completed it correctly on the first attempt. One young person completed the exercise correctly in only five minutes. He had taught himself spreadsheets while working part-time in a cyber cafe, but ultimately, he turned to sustenance farming on a small plot of land to make ends meet. University was out of reach for him. But potential is something that can’t be measured with a degree. I saw this young person’s innate ability and eagerness to learn, and I had no doubts that he could have a successful tech career. This is just one example among many—it was very clear that, with just a little help, these young people were poised to succeed.
Upon completion of the computer skills course, we helped the trainees create and build their resumes and encouraged them to reach out to local businesses. The problem? There were no jobs available; no companies to hire these talented individuals. We had two choices: hope that someday jobs opened up or create them ourselves. We thought, “Why not open an office?” The quality of talent in East Africa is astounding. We knew that by starting relatively small and scaling purposefully, as we’ve always done, the risk would be minimal, and the reward could be great.
Syncfusion’s Kisumu office opened with four employees. The results were extraordinary. Our Kisumu sales team has performed on par with, and in some cases surpassed, our other global teams, driving significant increases in overall sales. Encouraged by this success, we expanded our operations. Today, our Kisumu office is home to several critical functions, including legal, HR, accounting, inventory procurement, sales, and testing. In fact, our testing team has proven to be as successful as any of our teams worldwide, consistently delivering high-quality results that meet or exceed our global standards. The Kisumu office is now a crucial part of our global operations, with over 270 employees and room for 500. The contributions of our team members there have been instrumental in driving innovation and excellence across the board.
In today’s globalized economy, tapping into new markets and nurturing local talent is crucial for sustained growth and innovation. We’re excited to share the remarkable success story of our office in Kisumu, Kenya—a venture that has not only expanded our global footprint but also brought immense value to our organization. We are deeply committed to the growth and development of Kisumu’s workforce, creating opportunities that empower individuals and contribute to the local economy. The success of our Kisumu office is a testament to the region’s top talent and the incredible impact that strategic global diversification can have on an organization.
As we continue to grow and evolve, we remain committed to supporting the development of Kisumu’s workforce and leveraging its top talent to drive our global objectives. The success of our Kisumu office is just the beginning, and we are excited about future possibilities as we further integrate this vibrant city into our global network.
Stay tuned for more updates on our Kisumu office and our ongoing efforts to harness the power of global diversity for sustainable growth.
