We’re familiar with the adage, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Yes, it’s true! Creating something impressive will take a long time of hardship and perseverance. Nevertheless, all successful things start somewhere. In the case of Mailtech Marketing Services, it all started with the idea that had been pitched eight years ago.
Edison Avendano Jr., General Manager of Mailtech Marketing Services, Philippine team, has been nurturing the company for almost eight years. The 34-year-old has been leading the charge and, along with the MMS Team, continuously provides successful IT services in the country.
His love of management and desire to lead teams of talented, diverse individuals who care deeply about their work drove him to take on every challenge. For him, this is more than work—it’s his passion. He explained that he enjoys listening to the perspectives of others and learning how they may approach a task. Also, helping clients overcome problems and love doing what he does best: Delivering a permanent solution to their needs.
Read on to discover how he and four others turned a modest startup into a successful IT firm in just eight years.
What motivated you to start Mailtech?
It’s a mixture of things that have changed over the years. It was mainly for Freedom and Job Security. As someone who enjoys autonomy by creating their own rules and guidelines, I knew that I had to do something to be able to control my destiny. Risk is always inherent when starting a business, but this made it easier for us to establish due to the trust built over the years with our clients.
Why did you choose to enter this particular business?
As someone who has always found joy in providing professional expertise and services, I knew that expanding to this business would drive that while also being able to put food on more Filipino tables. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone.
How does Mailtech work?
We are committed to providing professional services through Excellence, Innovation, continuous Learning, Management, and Sensitivity to the needs of our clients. Our measure of success is the complete satisfaction of our clients, including our employees. We strongly adhere to our values and contribute significantly to our client’s corporate goals and objectives.
Describe the Mailtech organization.
Mailtech is a group of young, competitive professionals that provides excellent quality services. We are client focused and receptive to change. Together with honesty and integrity, teamwork and open communication are our core values. Mailtech is a small family that strives to keep its culture and spirit while providing solutions and services.
Describe the first time your client was thrilled with Mailtech’s work.
It’s hard to recall the first time our client was happy with our work. We’ve always made it our goal to ensure we deliver over-the-top performance. Our clients appreciate what we put on the table and have always expressed how our operations are detrimental to the company’s daily battle. From time to time, we do team lunches as a reward and a thank you for everyone’s efforts, and this also serves as a form of how our clients would like to show their appreciation to each member of our growing family.
How does your company develop talent?
We thoughtfully consider the development of employee talents as part of our business process and strategy. It involves programs, processes, activities, and initiatives that support employee learning and growth. Identified employee skill sets are supported and further enhanced to advance within the organization geared toward their professional development. Of course, all of these align with the company’s organizational needs and objectives.
How is the work environment within Mailtech?
We are an open culture company and always encourage learning for our employees. One of our essential core values is Teamwork and Open Communication. We provide a comfortable and flexible work environment with maximum opportunities for growth for all our employees.
For future Mailtech employees, can you describe what a typical day looks like for them?
A lot has changed since then. We’ve adapted to a 100% work-from-home setup. A typical day for them would be the usual logging into our system and reporting to their respective team leaders and officers. We also use a program called “Discord,” which helps us keep the feeling of still reporting to the office and having someone sit next to us. Professional environment but fun at the same time. We have multiple teams in Mailtech, and all the assigned tasks differ. Ad hoc requests come from our clients, which they communicate to us through Skype, Slack, or other types of VOIP programs and services.
Who are your biggest competitors, and how do you differentiate yourself from them?
Our biggest competitors would be large Business Process Outsourcing companies that offer the same package and benefits. The most significant difference would be that we work “exclusively” with our clients and that Mailtech doesn’t need to broker for other accounts. Think of it as Mailtech being an extension company of our US clients. We also have assigned counterparts in the US with whom we work closely every day. What we think sets us apart from other BPOs is that we have adapted the work-from-home setup 100%.
What is your vision for where the company will be in 5 years and what it will look like (e.g., size, key stats, status, global reach, diversity, product evolution, executive team, etc.)?
Our vision is to be a successful and respected comprehensive IT services provider in the country. We are committed to providing these services through Excellence, Innovation, continuous Learning, Management, and Sensitivity to the needs of our clients. Our measure of success is the complete satisfaction of our clients, including our employees.
Mailtech is turning eight this year, and many things are happening in the company. What is the company’s biggest strength in staying this long and advancing?
Our company’s biggest strength is People. We have developed a good culture and a team that strictly follows our core values of Quality of Work, Teamwork, Open Communication, Client-focused, and Receptive to Change and Integrity.
How has the start-up impacted your family, social life, or relationships? How have you changed as a result? Have you become more aware of your employees’ quality of life needs?
Unfortunately, you can only have a few interests beyond your family and your start-up, especially in the early days. At first, when I wasn’t working, I usually spent my time with my family. My family was my only hobby, but when the company reached maturity, it opened up more opportunities. Work-Life balance becomes more apparent and possible.
Before building the start-up, I’ve always understood employees’ necessities, needs, and wants. I have been to several BPO companies, which helped me bring new perspectives when building your own family. You’re more aware and inclined to give and give, as I believe this would translate well to your team. You treat them like family and how you would want to be treated, and they will surely help you all along the way.
How far are you willing to go to see your idea become a success?
An idea can only be successful if exposed to much feedback. Accepting criticism is crucial, whether it is constructive, positive, or negative. This can be a gruesome process at some point, but as long as you don’t lose sight of your goals and vision, you should get through it just fine.
Would you still build this company if you were allowed to go back in time? Why or why not?
I would do this over and over again :) Always a pleasure to know that you’re able to help other people and families put food on their tables. The satisfaction of being able to support our extended family in the US is an opportunity that I wouldn’t exchange for the world.
Any suggestions for upcoming start-ups?
I’ve said there will always be risks when starting your own business, but careful planning can lessen the chances. Test, Prepare, and Plan what you can; everything should follow suit. Do not be afraid of change, as it is tied to almost everything we do. Hire wisely as well, and keep the workplace culture spirit. It is as essential as hiring based on skills and experience. Finally, you need to set goals. It does not have to be grand initially, but it could keep you going. Small steps can lead to big things.
It should be noted that Mailtech continually strives to contribute to the success of its clients and employees. Their mission is clearly to advance the company’s goals as a whole rather than just for profit; they actively encourage personal and professional growth for all department members; ensure that team members gain skills through training sessions and group meetings; and post job openings for official positions, not to fill empty seats, but intending to add new team members that would directly benefit the company as a whole.
The success that Mailtech has achieved, and continues to achieve, has come from the outstanding management and guidance of its General Manager, Edison Avendano Jr., with a clear strategic plan, unwavering commitment to achieving it, and the ability to adapt and accommodate changing circumstances as they arise. Mailtech Marketing Services is proud of its accomplishments and looks forward to the future with great anticipation.