Interview with Serge Guzenko, CEO & Owner - WEZOM

Serge Guzenko  

CEO & Owner, WEZOM

Give us a quick overview on WEZOM. When and how did you begin this journey and what were your motives to be successful?

WEZOM's journey began in 1999 in Ukraine, sparked by the common hobby of four young programmers passionate about web development. At the time, the internet was burgeoning with potential, and we saw an opportunity to make our mark. Starting with a single computer and a shared studio apartment, our dedication quickly transformed our hobby into a professional endeavor. From those humble beginnings, WEZOM has grown into an international holding company with offices in the US, Germany, and Poland. Today, we are proud to have around 300 full-time professionals under our banner. Our mission has evolved from simple web development to digitalizing businesses and creating custom software solutions across various sectors such as logistics automation, the oil & gas industry, eCommerce, FinTech, and more. Our clientele consists of large companies looking to forge their path with bespoke technological solutions. The motivation for success was driven by the desire to create impactful technologies and a belief in the power of innovation to transform businesses. WEZOM is not just a business; it is the culmination of over two decades of relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation in the tech industry.

What is your role in the management and development of WEZOM?

As the owner and CEO of WEZOM, my role encompasses the overall strategic direction and development of the company. I am directly responsible for making pivotal decisions that shape the future of WEZOM. My journey from one of the original four founders to leading a significant international holding company has been a deeply personal and professional evolution. My responsibilities involve overseeing the company's growth strategy, ensuring we remain at the forefront of technological advancements, and maintaining our commitment to delivering exceptional value to our clients. I work closely with our team of professionals to foster an environment of innovation, excellence, and continuous improvement. Leading WEZOM involves not just managing the business aspect but also nurturing the company culture, inspiring our team, and upholding our values of innovation, customer satisfaction, and technological leadership in every project we undertake.

Tell us about your biggest achievement in the industry.

Our most significant achievement was the development of a custom ERP system for a large American corporation, marking our major entry into the U.S. market. This project was complex, requiring a deep understanding of the client's operations to integrate various business processes seamlessly. The success of this ERP implementation not only demonstrated our technical expertise and innovation but also solidified our presence in the competitive American market. It was a pivotal moment for WEZOM, showcasing our ability to deliver high-quality, customized software solutions on an international scale.

How do you schedule the development phases of the app design and development projects to promise the timeline to your clients?

We use planning and Scrum methodology to schedule app development phases, ensuring flexibility and continuous progress. Each project is divided into sprints, followed by reviews to assess progress. If we underestimate time, we cover the extra costs ourselves. For client-requested scope expansions, we communicate additional features' implications on time and cost transparently, ensuring collaborative adjustments and maintaining project timelines.

Which framework, programming or scripting languages do you prefer for Ecommerce development? How do you convince your clients for the same?

For e-commerce, we use Laravel for backend and React for frontend. We have a proven track record with these technologies, making persuasion unnecessary. Our custom e-commerce engine, built on Laravel, offers pre-built modules for customization, ensuring reliability and scalability in our solutions.

What would you suggest for a successful and profitable business progression, when it comes to mobile app development? How do you define the factors influenced you to make this choice?

When it comes to mobile app development, profitability depends not only on the development itself but also on marketing and the overall business strategy. Our approach is to first assess the market need for the app. We believe in thoroughly evaluating whether an app is required in the market before proceeding with development. Profitability is a result of addressing a genuine market need effectively.

Influence factors: Our choice is influenced by the belief that successful mobile app development starts with a deep understanding of the target audience and their pain points. We prioritize market research, user feedback, and rigorous testing to ensure that the app meets real user needs and adds value. Profitability is a natural outcome of solving problems and delivering a seamless user experience.

How do you scheme your pricing model? How do you fix your budget?

Our pricing model is based on a systematic breakdown of the project. We begin by allocating time to project requirements and specifications. The project is then divided into tasks, and each task is further broken down into hours. These hours are estimated with a combination of optimistic, pessimistic, and average time frames. The initial estimate sets the baseline, while the other two are calculated using a specific formula.

The pricing calculation considers the total hours multiplied by the hourly rate. This approach provides a realistic budget for the project, accounting for potential variations in task complexity and duration. It ensures transparency and allows us to offer competitive pricing while maintaining the quality of our services.

How helpful are the designs and app development by WEZOM for your clients in enhancing their business?

We believe our designs and app development have been highly beneficial to our clients in enhancing their businesses. Many of our clients actively use the applications and designs we've created for them. The fact that clients are satisfied and return for additional services and also re-fer us to others speaks to the positive impact we have had on their businesses. While we hope to be helpful, this client feedback and loyalty are a strong testament to the tangible benefits our solutions bring to their operations.

What according to you are the best practices to attain client satisfaction?

To achieve client satisfaction, we prioritize constant and transparent communication, ensuring clients are well-informed and engaged throughout the project. We embrace open dialogue, go the extra mile to exceed expectations, and treat each project with a personal commitment to excellence, resulting in lasting client relationships built on trust and exceptional results.

What’s the latest technology that you think can change your industry?

Based on our commercial experience and industry trends, generative AI stands out as a transformative technology. We've witnessed the potential it holds, and as we continue to explore and adapt, we see it as a significant force shaping the future of our industry.