“I want every resident of Uzbekistan to know about Uzum in 10 years,” — Roman Lavrentyev on the company’s development
Roman Lavrentyev, Tashkent, COO of Uzum
Major changes and trends
The most significant change we observe today concerns business processes and decision-making. Strategic cycles have become shorter. Companies’ cultures and processes are adapting to respond to changes swiftly. For instance, budgeting cycles, product planning, and release speeds have become more flexible to align with external conditions.
If we compare today’s approaches with those from five years ago, it’s evident that the cycles for product launches, decision-making, and analysis have become much shorter. Companies have developed a more agile culture to quickly respond to environmental shifts and evolve across various directions.
New challenges
One of the primary challenges today is the lack of skilled talent and experts. Companies are growing faster than countries can educate IT specialists. The demand for experienced professionals exceeds the supply available on the market. This creates challenges in attracting and retaining personnel, especially in emerging markets. It’s crucial to prevent the mass migration of talent to developed markets.
Another challenge lies in rapidly adapting to new technologies. Over recent years, technologies like AI and big data analytics have emerged. For IT companies, the task is to integrate these innovations into their existing infrastructure efficiently.
The role of new technologies
New technologies are finding applications across various industries. For example, machine learning (ML) technologies have been used in scoring models for over a decade, and in biotech, they are helping to make accurate diagnoses and revolutionize product development approaches.
On a practical level, these technologies accelerate production cycles. For instance, AI is actively used in marketing and HR, helping to test hypotheses and identify successful products. AI also simplifies code writing and testing processes.
The main change that new technologies will bring is the reduction of release cycles. Across all functions — from marketing to development — processes will become continuous. Companies will be able to release updates weekly. This will provide users with a significant advantage, as they will receive regular improvements.
Future employees
IT companies develop products in various industries, so their processes and cultures vary significantly.
At Uzum, our core cultural value is that “data outweighs opinions.” In any creative process, whether in marketing or product development, there’s always a desire to do things one’s own way. However, when it comes to decision-making — be it about design, interface, or user pathways — we rely on data. We welcome all opinions, but final decisions are always based on facts and figures.
The key competencies of our employees are analytical skills and empathy. People need not only to understand data but also to grasp the needs of users. Competition in technology is growing, so it’s crucial to sense the customer’s context, minimize their unnecessary actions, and make products genuinely helpful. For Uzum, finding individuals who can work with data and deeply understand the local culture and customer needs is essential.
The impact of global trends on the company’s strategy
Macroeconomics is like an open sea with varying weather for businesses. As Uzum grows into a larger ship, we are learning to maneuver under all conditions. Macroeconomic stability in the region is critical: it provides companies with a clear horizon for investing in fundamental projects. Any investment, especially in infrastructure, requires time and must be profitable. This demands predictable and stable “weather.”
We are focused on the Uzbek market, which we believe is undervalued by international investors. We are confident that this market will develop both at a macroeconomic level and for Uzum specifically. In the near future, our strategy is centered on creating digital products in the e-commerce and FinTech segments, with a focus on Uzbekistan.
Currently, managers cannot be experts in all technologies, from ML to AI. Thus, the primary task for leaders at any level is to create a culture where the team itself proposes technologies and solutions. This is a culture of openness, constructive criticism, and innovation.
One of our values is “being honest with yourself and your team.” For example, at Uzum, any employee can write an email with an idea or suggestion directly to the CEO. The concept of open doors and feedback creates an environment where innovations emerge. While specific tools and frameworks depend on the function or direction, it is this culture of openness that propels us forward.
The future leader
A leader must be able to find the right people for the team. Importantly, the “right” people are not only determined by professional skills and values but also by how well they fit the company’s current stage of development. Different specialists are needed at different stages of a company’s life. For instance, some people are adept at quickly launching projects, others excel at analyzing and refining processes, while yet others bring strategic vision for long-term growth. The ability to choose the right people at the right time is key to a leader’s success.
Moreover, the future leader must create an environment where employees don’t feel like they are merely working. It’s vital for them to feel that they are creating something meaningful. This approach helps motivate the team, and in such an atmosphere, success becomes inevitable — results follow when people see that their efforts are making a difference.
What the company will be like in 10 years?
I would like Uzum to be a brand that people associate with saving time and simplifying life. Today, the company is already implementing small but significant features that make life easier. For example, in our Uzum Bank app, users can automatically top up their mobile balance or pay utility bills. While these functions may seem minor, they are incredibly impactful, as they eliminate the need to visit a bank and wait in line for these operations.
I want every resident of Uzbekistan to know Uzum and actively use our services in 10 years. Uzum should become a brand synonymous with saving time and improving quality of life. If we achieve this goal, I will be proud that our company has made a significant contribution to people’s lives.
Company’s Role in Society
Uzum strives to not only succeed in business but also leave a positive social impact. We understand that an IT company shouldn’t be limited to economic results alone. It’s also important to contribute to societal development and improve social conditions.
For instance, we launched an IT academy that teaches people development skills, giving them opportunities to work not only with us but also with other companies.
We also participate in environmental projects. One such project involves monitoring air quality in Uzbekistan. We’ve installed sensors nationwide to collect data on the state of the environment, providing governmental bodies with accurate information for decision-making. Environmental responsibility is crucial for us, and we will continue working in this direction to improve the quality of life and preserve nature for future generations.
This way, Uzum continues to work not only for its business interests but also for the benefit of society by contributing to social and environmental initiatives.
