By Business & Finance 
Pictured: Konstantin Vasyuk is Executive Director of the IT Ukraine Association
Konstantin Vasyuk is Executive Director of the IT Ukraine Association. IT Ukraine is set to participate in the Ignite programme at DTS 2023.
What are your main priorities and goals in your role?
As a CEO of the largest independent national association of IT companies and a unique NGO market body, I feel that our mission now is to do everything to preserve Ukrainian industry as a major actor in the future recovery of the country. Representing the interests of more than 90,000 IT professionals, the IT Ukraine Association is already serving as the point of entrance into the Ukrainian market for international businesses. So my aspiration for the nearest future is to fully transform the organisation and make the association a world-recognised international community.
What are your biggest challenges as CEO?
Though the times give, let’s call it, ‘unique’ opportunities, it’s challenging […] and is related to lots of risks. So at this point I’d highlight balancing stakeholders’ interests and maintaining consistency as the main concerns.
How do you keep your team/staff motivated?
I have always believed that the main key is to keep and support employee’s desires and natural interests. Let people do what they like. Definitely, we do have some goals set by the organisation itself and they should be done, but within this framework every person I work with feels freedom of creativity. That’s the major strength of people vs AI: Passion. If one is keen on something, the results and achievements are amazing and unique. My mission is to sustain the inner passion of employees by all means.
What are the challenges facing the industry going forward?
To embrace all the changes we are about to deal with, to adjust business continuity to the wartime conditions, to acclimate and adapt business operations to the global market changes, but first of all – to sustain what we have, and I talk here most of all about the preservation of talents and expertise.
What new trends are emerging in your industry?
Obviously, the military tech.
A successful person is the one who lives according to one’s own values and priorities, the one who has found his own self and follows it.
Are there any major changes you would like to see in your sector?
The industry needs consolidation: This is the time to unite regarding the main issues of communication with the market and the government.
As an employer are you finding any skill gaps in the market?
I’d point out advanced soft skills specifically. Now the industry is much more about interaction and negotiation than it used to be, so those abilities become a demand rather than an additional advantage.
How did your strategy develop in the context of the banking crisis and economic crisis?
Despite the crisis, we now have a strategy for growth and consolidation of the industry.
How do you define success and what drives you to succeed?
A successful person is the one who lives according to one’s own values and priorities, the one who has found his own self and follows it. My success is driven by me and my belief: I do believe in my team, I do believe in the industry and, certainly, I do believe in Ukraine. This is pretty enough to keep going.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given, or would give, in business?
Remember each and every person you worked with and be grateful.
What have been your highlights in business over the past year?
I’d go for 2 main highlights: Internal and external. First of all, I’ve always thought that people are the core factor of any business. So I’m really proud we could sustain, keep and even extend our team from the beginning of the War.
On the other hand, this year has shown we have to widen the coverage of our activities and find friends and partners outside Ukraine. So I can’t help but mention entering the UK market as a massive achievement of ours. Hopefully, we’ll enter the Irish market soon and next year I’ll name this as a highlight-2023, you never know.
What’s next for your company?
As I mentioned previously, the very next step is to make – or rather to ensure the status of the IT Ukraine Association as the entry point of all the international businesses and partners into the Ukrainian tech market.
Where do you want your business/brand to be this time next year?
That’s a great final question, as it’s about planning out loud. So let’s do it: This time next year, IT Ukraine is an association consisting not only Ukrainian, but international members; not only from IT sphere, but from tech overall; and not only serving for uniting, but giving a platform for fruitful worldwide collaboration. Sounds like a plan.
Dublin Tech Summit takes place between 31 May and 1 June, 2023. Tickets for this year’s event are on sale now. For more information, please visit the Dublin Tech Summit website.
DTS23 Tickets Available Now
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