BBR | Magazine - July 2021 Edition

WHO WE ARE

Managing Director

Jassen Pintado

Creative Director

Omar Rodríguez

Editor in Chief

Rafael Tablado

Finance Director

Christina Schoch

Social Media Director

Maria Elena Gastelum

Content Coordinator

Alicia Barrantes

Project Directors

Ana Macfarland

David Alarcon

Giuseppe Modenesi

Lucy Verde

Marcelo Modenesi

EDITOR’S LETTER:

Juliy 2021

Our July issue takes on summer upfront with features about top tier all inclusive hotels in unique locations. Paradisus Los Cabos has surpassed consequences from past hurricanes to become the Meliá group’s flagship property in its hospitality segment. Meanwhile, Fiesta Resort All Inclusive is Enjoy Group’s jewel in Costa Rica, sitting at the Pacific Ocean side of the Central American paradise.Moving further south Gran Colombia Gold’s emphasis on safety and improving mining conditions is the strategy believed to keep the company atop mining operations in the gold and silver segment.

Mateo Rafael Tablado, Chief Editor at The Boston Business Review

Email: rafael.tablado@thebostonbr.com

Creative strategies have made SK Rental Peru the go-to source not only for machinery rentals in this and other South LATAM markets, but also for the re-sale or re-rental of contractorowned machinery, check out the new developments they got under their sleeve to bring better, client-centered services.

And finally, Saint-Gobain Weber Chile shows us how good relationships pay off to reach clients and end consumers.

We hope you enjoy reading this issue... Be ready for our upcoming hospitality special!

ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION, DEDICATED TO MAKING YOUR BUSINESS MORE SUCCESSFUL.

Architecture company dedicated to design and construction, with extensive management in sectors such as Retail and Workplace. Our methodology is based on experience and the will to make your business more successful.

blaqplus.com

Jaime Piedra Martínez, General Manager of Paradisus Los Cabos

Fiesta Resort All Inclusive Idyllic environment for a vacation

Gran Colombia Gold

Highly productive operation in gold and silver obtention

Nationwide presence servicing the construction industry

SK Rental Perú

Leadership in rentals and commercial strategies

Cabo Luxury Yacht Charters

Sail, Celebrate and Enjoy in the Waters of Cabo San Lucas in Luxury and Style

Whether you’re planning a getaway holiday trip with friends and family, thinking of making your wedding day extra special and truly unforgettable, or looking for an action-packed sea adventure, get in touch with Cabo Yacht World for Cabo luxury yacht charters. Sail, celebrate, and enjoy in the waters of Cabo San Lucas, both in luxury and style. Rent a luxury yacht, and set out in the waters of Cabo to enjoy an experience of a lifetime. Sail through the sea in style and explore all that Cabo has to offer in sheer luxury.

Browse Through Our Fleet to Make Your Pick!

At Cabo Yacht World, we offer you the most luxurious yachts for chartering in town. And that is not an exaggeration. Each yacht in our fleet is beautifully designed and loaded with all the amenities that not only you expect and desire, but what we think can make your trip incredibly special. We offer luxury at its best. Our Cabo San Lucas Luxury yacht charters feature:

Deluxe Bedrooms - Sleep Like Royalty

Sailing does not mean you have to compromise on comfort. Therefore, our yachts feature deluxe bedrooms that are beautifully decorated and furnished with high quality furniture and beds, offering you maximum comfort while you are at sea.

Panoramic Roof

Enjoy the panoramic view of the sea as the sun goes down and whales and dolphins come on surface of the water. It’s a breathtaking view to watch and capture in your camera.

Dining Area

The luxurious dining area on our yachts is exclusively designed to accommodate large groups of people. Boasting a classic interior, each meal that you enjoy on board with your guests is truly going to be memorable. In this dining area, you can celebrate special occasions like your wedding anniversary or birthday and make a toast in style.

DELECTABLE FOOD - FRESHLY COOKED ON-BOARD

What makes Cabo Yacht World luxury yacht charters the best way to enjoy a great trip at sea is the delectable food, freshly prepared with perfect seasoning by our onboard skilled chefs. We make sure that you and your guests are served with the highest quality of food that is cooked onboard, just the way you want! Rest assured, the food we serve you will be

a treat to your taste buds and a joy to eat.

LOUNGE SPACE TO REJOICE AND RELAX

Our lounge space is perfect to rejoice, and soak up the sun. You can relax while drinking coffee, read your favorite book by the sea or get a massage by our professional masseuse. We, at Cabo Yacht World, strive to exceed your expectations

by offering you the best luxuries and customer service possible.

PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOGRAPHY

If you’re setting out at sea to say your wedding vows, then you’ll truly love this service. Upon chartering our royal yacht, you can enjoy professional photography and videography services. Our professional photographer will click beautiful pictures of you and your

better half by the sea, and make your big day unforgettable.

WAVE RUNNERS - INDULGE IN SEA ACTION

We, at Cabo Yacht World, also offer special features like wave runners. If you’re an adventurer at heart and would love to indulge in some sea action, then hop on to a wave runner and have the most fun on the water. It’s an experience you’ll cherish forever.

These luxury yacht charters can accommodate a large number of guests. And with so many luxuries and amenities to enjoy, it is surely a treat to be invited. Charter a yacht for a great trip in Cabo San Lucas.

Book Your Yacht Today!

We have over ten years of nautical tourism experience and the finest range of luxury yacht charters in Cabo. Get in touch with us for luxury yacht charters.

Discuss your needs and preferences, and provide us with the number of guests you will be bringing along, and our team will find you the best luxury yacht to charter, and that too, at the most affordable price.

So, what are you waiting for?

Charter a luxury yacht now and get ready to enjoy a fun-filled and luxurious trip in Cabo like never before.

LUXURY AND NATURE

Meliá’s all-inclusive luxury line is led by its hotel in Los Cabos, Mexico, bringing together attributes such as location, natural attractions nearby and the Iberian giant’s usual standards of hospitality.

Paradisus Los Cabos is a luxury hotel operating in the “All Inclusive” modality on the tourist corridor between San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Prior to the transformation that turned it into Paradisus, the immediate past of the property was to serve as Meliá Cabo Real, an iconic hotel in the region opened in 1989, which suffered terrible damage after the Hurricane Odile in 2014.

Meliá Hotels International not only took on the task of refurbishing the hotel, but also improved it as a product in every way, making it the cornerstone of Paradisus, its line of Luxury All-Inclusive hotels.

Paradisus Los Cabos is the only hotel in this region boasting a membership of The Leading Hotels of

The hotel has a lot of personality, since the very first moment you know that you are in a hotel in Los Cabos

- Jaime Piedra Martínez, General Manager of Paradisus Los Cabos

the World select organization. It also holds certifications such as the “Stay Safe with Meliá”, a program endorsed by the Bureau Veritas; it’s also AAAcertified (American Automobile Association), by the Cristal International Standards (now Intertek Cristal) for quality and hygiene; by Safe Travels, from the World Travel and Tourism Council; and by Traveler’s

Choice, of the TripAdvisor website.

Paradisus Los Cabos has one of the few swimmable beaches in Los Cabos, in addition to other attractions provided by nature.

“We can watch whales from our rooms or having breakfast in one of our restaurants,” said Jaime Piedras Martínez, General Manager of Paradisus Los Cabos.

GLOBAL EXPERIENCE IN CHARGE OF THE OPERATION

Jaime Piedras Martínez has been in charge of Paradisus Los Cabos since April 2020. This is the second time he has been appointed to lead this operation, which he ran between 2017 and mid-2018. Between these two cycles, Piedras was in charge of the opening of The Circle and Grand

Reserve, at Paradisus Palma Real, in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Piedras’ extensive experience spans more than 20 years to destinations as remote as fascinating, such as Bali and Jakarta (Indonesia), China, Spain and Puerto Rico.

Piedras graduated in Economics from the University of Malaga, in his native Spain, and didn’t just settle

-

Paradisus Los Cabos is a key player for the company to continue growing in the Luxury segment

LOCATION AND AESTHETICS AS KEY ASPECTS

Paradisus Los Cabos has an excellent location: ten minutes from downtown San José del Cabo, 25 minutes from Cabo San Lucas and half an hour from Los Cabos International Airport.

The landscape of the region is displayed at the outside of the hotel, whose gardens resemble the flora of Baja California Sur. The inside has decoration and architectural details that make it unique.

side or frontal views of the Sea of Cortés.

The entire hotel has been refurbished; attractions and experiences have been added, boasting seven restaurants and four bars, so that guests can enjoy their food and drink without feeling crowded.

“The hotel has a lot of personality, since the very first moment you know that you are in a hotel in Los Cabos”, said the general manager.

POST-PANDEMIC RECOVERY

The global COVID19 pandemic had a terrible impact on the tourism sector and Paradisus Los Cabos was no exception. The hotel, like many other destinations, remained closed from March to August 2020, when it was reopened.

For the reopening, strict hygiene and safety protocols were implemented, for this, as he attended specialized management courses in hospitality at Cornell University (New York, USA).

The property has 350 rooms and its horseshoe-shaped structure provides an almost total view of the hotel from every point. Brightness and minimalism come together in each room, and almost all of them provide

thus caring for the health and wellbeing of guests and staff. Since then, the recovery of Los Cabos has taken an enviable pace, getting close to 2019 numbers before other destinations.

“It has been a ‘crossing in the desert’- never better said in Los Cabos - that is already coming to an end, luckily for us,” said Piedras.

COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT

The relationship between Paradisus

Los Cabos and its immediate community is nurtured by programs based on three pillars:

• Commitment to the community’s children

• Protection and preservation of endemic wildlife

• Promotion of local products

The hotel sponsors the Por los Niños de la Sierra, A.C. [For Children of la Sierra] dining room, which feeds

children from marginalized areas of Cabo San Lucas every day. This effort is joined by the hotel staff for special celebrations and allows guests to make contributions through the “Travelers with a Cause” program.

With this action, Paradisus Los Cabos was ranked first as “Hotel with Best Sustainable Practices” in 2019.

COMMUNION WITH NATURE AS AN ATTRACTION

The all-inclusive operation and the luxurious aesthetics of each space

at Paradisus Los Cabos are far from being the only attractions the hotel offers.

The hotel takes actions to protect endemic fauna through the “Welcome to Life” program, designed to protect whales, least terns, and different species of marine turtles.

With these practices, Paradisus Los Cabos has earned awards such as the first place for the “Best Wildlife Program” by the Latin America Green Awards, and the third place

in Los Cabos as “ECO-Resort”, from Travel Booking, Expedia and TripAdvisor travel websites.

THE MELIÁ SIGNATURE

Being part of a global giant as a player in the hotel sector such as Meliá Hotels International provides Paradisus Los Cabos with infrastructure support in every aspect, from marketing, brand positioning, training and compliance with high standards, among others.

“Paradisus Los Cabos is a key player for the company to continue growing in the Luxury segment and in the U.S. market, which is our main business issuer for Los Cabos,” concluded Jaime Piedra Martínez, General Manager of Paradisus Los Cabos.

environment

Idyllic for a vacation

An

“all inclusive”

for all tastes, close to the most important attractions of natural beauty Costa Rica has to offer

Produced by Jassen Pintado

Translated

by

Flávia Brancato

Interviewee

Eidel Ramos, General Manager of Fiesta Resort & Club Vacacional

Costa Rica’s forests, beaches and other natural areas are outstanding attractions able to bring swarms of tourists, a reason why this Central American country boasts a highly competitive hotel industry. Among a wide range of accommodation offers, Fiesta Resort & Club Vacacional stands out. The property has been managed by the Enjoy Group since 2018, a company specialized in the hotel and restaurant sector.

In more than thirty years, Fiesta Resort has been an excellent host in the “all inclusive” mode for the family, couple, corporate and social event segments, as well as for trips with friends. Guests are distributed in three main areas: Premium, Family Suite and the Vacation Club area.

Fiesta Resort is recognized as a

Five Star hotel by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT); it’s also ranked in the Elite Level, the highest category for Sustainable Tourism Certification. In 2020, it found its way into the top 5 TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice “Best of the Best” list in the Central America’s Family Hotels category. For the last 15 years, it has been nominated as the “Best all-inclusive hotel” in Mexico and Central America, and in 2021 Fiesta Resort received new nominations to the “Best family hotel” and “Best resort in Costa Rica” categories at the World Travel Awards. In addition to these accolades and certifications, the hotel earned the Escudo Puntarenas Saludable (Healthy Puntarenas Emblem), a local certification from the Puntarenas Chamber of Tourism, and the ICT “Safe Travels” seal, awarded in 2020 for its excellent security protocols.

“ My professional career took the path of the hospitality industry and I felt happy and completely fulfilled when I had this opportunity”

- Eidel Ramos,

General Manager of Fiesta Resort & Club Vacacional

A PUSH FORWARD FROM THE ENJOY GROUP

The Enjoy Group is a leading Costa Rican company standing out for the development and management of hotels and other properties focused on restaurants and tourism in Costa Rica and Central America.

The company, led by its founder and president Rubén A. Pacheco Lutz and Javier Pacheco Albónico,

executive president, keeps excellence standards in every property the group operates, and obviously Fiesta Resort is no exception. The Enjoy Group undertakes an ambitious investment project to refurbish hotel facilities to keep them in tune with the guests’ taste.

“In addition to the many investments made in the last two years, we will soon be working on approved projects that will be highly appreciated by our visitors,” said Eidel Ramos, General Manager of Fiesta Resort.

EXPERIENCED LEADERSHIP IN SEVERAL MARKETS

Eidel Ramos is an experienced hotel manager who has worked for almost two decades in renowned chains in the sector, such as Meliá Hotels International, in destinations such as Jardines del Rey (Cuba), Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos (both

in Mexico). Since September 2019, Ramos has been in charge of the Fiesta Resort operation in Costa Rica; he’s also a member of the Board of Directors of the Puntarenas Chamber of Tourism.

Ramos’ training as a hotel manager led him to obtain a Master’s degree in Tourism Management from the University of Matanzas (Cuba) and Hotel Management Certification from Cornell University (USA); previously, he had studied Computer Engineering.

“Due to life circumstances, my professional career took the path of the hospitality industry and I felt happy and completely fulfilled when I had this opportunity,” said the executive.

ATTRACTIVE ENVIRONMENT INDOORS AND OUTDOORS

Fiesta Resort is located on a wide stretch of beach in the central part of the country, on the Pacific coast, in

the Gulf of Nicoya, approximately an hour and a half drive from the capital San José. The area provides extensive contact with nature and offers excursions to attractive destinations such as the Tortuga Island, Carara, Manuel Antonio and Monteverde natural parks, as well as the Central Valley.

The hotel itself offers a dreamlike setting decorated by vegetation with a captivating aesthetic and species from the local flora and fauna.

Aquatic entertainment is spread out in three large swimming pools and a small one set in a relaxing atmosphere. Fiesta Resort also offers tennis courts, a gym and other

sports activities, also on the beach. Youngsters will find educational and fun activities in spaces such as Kids Club and Teen Zone.

Fiesta Resort offers special areas to hold different kinds of social events, including four halls, conditioned to host corporate meetings, seminars, and other celebrations.

For those interested in wellness, Heliconia Spa offers a unique environment to provide body treatments in palapas equipped for this purpose.

The amazing sunsets over the Pacific Ocean at Fiesta Resort are just the prelude to nights with astounding artistic shows.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE

Fiesta Resort offers multiple options in terms of food and refreshing drinks.

Macarela, Macondo and the Fuego grill offer a variety of dishes from Latin American cuisine and fine meat cuts to be enjoyed in the unique setting of the hotel’s beautiful surroundings. Fiesta Resort also offers the Calypso and El Pelícano Snack Bar buffets.

Refreshing drinks can be enjoyed in different environments; noteworthy are the El Malecón and El Pargo wet bars, which are aligned with the concept of offering a unique environment and a very appealing variety, since El Mástil, the Fruit Bar and Sunset offer a wide array of national, international and topclass mixology spirits in very pleasant environments.

LOYALTY IS REWARDED AT THE CLUB VACACIONAL FIESTA RESORT

The Enjoy Group created the Club Vacacional Fiesta Resort program with frequent customers in mind, so that they can enjoy Fiesta Resort with their whole family.

Among the perks this program offers, clients are allowed to choose between four possible seasons of

the year, which are classified as the Diamond, Platinum, Gold and Silver tiers.

“This program was created to offer options to our most loyal clients, whose frequent visits had to be rewarded with privileges, including an option of guaranteed benefits for their vacations,” added Ramos.

OPERATION OPTIMIZATION

The main purpose of adopting cutting-edge technology at Fiesta Resort is to further improve and ease customer experience, from getting to know the hotel and book online to intelligent processes supported by QR code to obtain information on specific services.

The administrative, backoffice

and operation areas have extensive technological support, which is subject to continuous improvement processes in the supply of air conditioning, electricity, lighting in rooms and common areas, among other aspects.

“Innovation is part of our company’s DNA of and we are always in search for and implementing improvements,” said the executive.

OVERCOMING THE PANDEMIC

It is known that one of the most affected industries during the COVID-19 pandemic was undoubtedly the hospitality industry. Fiesta Resort and all the hotels in Costa Rica reached “zero occupancy” levels. The company made efforts to affect its employees as little as possible and, on the contrary, to provide the “Fiesta

Family” with the necessary help in that time, not only in economic matters, but also regarding their health.

Fiesta Resort was the first hotel in its kind to resume operations, once restrictions were eased, and it has remained as the leader in occupancy rates nationwide. The “Fun with Caution” program was implemented, which includes processes and

“Innovation is part of our company’s DNA and we are always in search for and implementing improvements”

- Eidel

Ramos, General Manager of Fiesta Resort & Club Vacacional

procedures designed to create a safe environment for visitors, hotel employees and suppliers.

In addition, the “Health Heroes” campaign was created to reward healthcare professionals in Costa Rica, offering so far more than 100 free stays at the Fiesta Resort.

“We are confident to say that our guests can safely enjoy their stay,” said Ramos.

THE FIESTA FAMILY

The staff that operates Fiesta Resort is called the Fiesta Family,

and they are considered as hosts. This workforce is made up of 550 employees, of which approximately half are women, thus promoting gender equality.

Another noteworthy aspect of the Fiesta Resort staff is its permanence.

Considering the high turnover rates in the industry, 75% of hotel employees have worked at Fiesta for more than two uninterrupted years and 30% of them have been more than ten years with the company, which is one of the most important employment sources in the area.

THE “HUMAN” PROGRAM

“HUMAN” is an acronym formed by the Spanish words - and conceptsHuella, Unión, Movimiento, Altruismo and Nobleza (respectively, Footprint, Union, Movement, Altruism and Nobility) that represents the efforts made by Fiesta Resort in terms of sustainability and social responsibility.

All the activities and initiatives adopted by the company contributing to its community are organized, integrated and carried out under the “HUMAN” program, including donations, activities for children, beach cleaning events, community work, tree planting campaigns, training and health campaigns, among other actions.

“We feel represented in each contribution made, or in any of the many activities we carry out for the common good,” concluded Eidel Ramos, General Manager of Fiesta Resort All Inclusive.

GOLD AND SILVER

HIGHLY PRODUCTIVE OPERATION IN OBTENTION

Produced by Jassen Pintado Written by Mateo Rafael Tablado

Vice-President

A series of investments resulting in efficiency and improved safety are key factors to place Gran Colombia Gold along the most important gold and silver mining operations in its territory

Gran Colombia Gold is a company with origins in Canada whose main goal is gold and silver prospecting and extraction. Since 2010, the company’s run has allowed its consolidation as a reliable business with stability and responsibility toward its main operations in Colombia.

Gran Colombia Gold’s work in recent years has experienced high production levels. Just in 2018, the company surpassed 200,000 oz. production for the very first time, increasing by 25% the previous year’s accomplishments. In 2019, production reached 240,000 oz. of gold, besides a cash balance of $84 million by December, 2019.

Besides the Colombian operation, the company also has assets and investments in Canada and Guyana,

both in exploration and extraction phases. Gran Colombia Gold is listed in the Toronto Stock Exchange. These and other achievements make Gran Colombia Gold the most important gold and silver extraction company in Colombia.

SPECIALIZED LEADERSHIP WITH KEY EXPERIENCE

Angel Meza is the vice-president of mines for Gran Colombia Gold. He graduated as a mining engineer from Central Peru National University (UNCP) in the higher average class. Meza also earned an MBA from Centrum, the business school of the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (PUCP); and in 2019 finished a master’s in International Leadership from the EADA Business School (School for High Management, Spain).

Meza has developed his mining experience in areas such as

BEYOND GOLD

exploration, perforation, explosive demolitions and mining project management. Work has taken him to Retamas, Minas Buenaventura, Barbastro (a subsidiary of Minsur), Los Quenales and Perubar (both of the Glencore group), Minera Aruri and Tamboraque mine, all of these

in Peru; and also to Kamoto Copper Co. and Katanga Mining, both in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Africa. Meza is also an international speaker and consultant in mining, taking part in these activities in Peru, Chile, Colombia and Ecuador.

The

path we’ve been on has allowed us consolidation as a reliable business with stability

and

responsibility

- Ángel Meza, Vice-President of Mines for Gran Colombia Gold

HIGH PRODUCTIVITY FROM EACH ZONE IN OPERATION

Gran Colombia Gold’s main activity is carried out in the Segovia and Remedios municipalities, both in the northwest of the Department of Antioquia, in central Colombia. The company has also grown by acquisition, after purchasing the old

Frontino Gold Mines company from the Colombian government, as well as those in Segovia, Remedios, and also the El Zancudo mine, located in Titiribi (Antioquia) between 2009 and 2010. Gold production from the company averages 17,000 to 20,000 oz. of gold, monthly, delivering a yearly average

of 200,000 and 220,000 oz., and achieving a 220,194 oz. production in 2020.

During 2021, Gran Colombia Gold’s efforts have been destined toward the exploration of three gold deposits: in southern Cali (in the Cauca Valley), Marmato (Department of Caldas) and Segovia (northeastern Antioquia).

SANDRA K, RECIPIENT OF STATE-OF-THE-ART MINING INFRASTRUCTURE

One of the latest findings for Gran Colombia Gold is the Sandra K mine, in Segovia. Currently, levels 6 and 7 of the 7-level facility are being

furnished with important investments: an elevator has already been installed, easing the tasks of 506 workers (374 part of the company staff and 132 from outside contractors), avoiding a 935-step staircase after a $1.6 million injection, reducing the run across the stairs to four minutes, delivering a positive impact in time, productivity and -mostly- the workers’ safety.

Other investments have been made at Sandra K to obtain underground machinery and equipment with a $1.5 million budget, resulting in the acquisition of a Sandvik DD210 drill rig, a Sandvik LH307 low profile LHD (load haul dump) and a 15 ton Aramine truck for underground operations. This investment also considered the required training in heavy mining equipment for the staff dispatched at Sandra K.

enabling technology in our operations in all fronts,” Meza declared.

GUARANTEEING SAFETY IN UNDERGROUND OPERATIONS

“Constant improvement is in Gran Colombia Gold’s DNA, as well as

Maintaining its staff’s wellbeing and safety is a top priority for Gran Colombia Gold, after investing in the installation of underground refuge chambers for every operation. Since 2017, more than $1 million has been used for the construction of four refuge chambers in Segovia and Remedios. At the El Silencio mine, a 40-person refuge has been recently deployed as an addition to the three previous refuge chambers in the El Silencio, Providencia and Sandra K mines, each with a capacity to host up to 60 persons for up to 72 hours. And currently, research is being conducted to consider deploying a fifth refuge chamber in the El Silencio mine which would have capacity for 100 persons. It must be noted that underground

We highlight the positive impact created by alliances among government agencies, local

mayors, communities, NGOs and the private sector

- Ángel Meza, Vice-President of Mines for Gran Colombia Gold

refuge chambers in every Gran Colombia Gold mining site are built under high global mining standards, such as those observed by the MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration, from the US), besides complying with the Safety Regulations for Underground Mining Labors -part of Decree 1886 from Colombia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy-, and with regulations from the National Mining Agency.

A DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL SUPPLIER NETWORK

Gran Colombia Gold’s success and leadership in gold and silver mining in its territory is supported by a vast network of purveyors which includes brands known worldwide as well as domestic companies. The network includes Colombiana de Distribuciones Mayoristas de Antioquia, Distribuidora de Químicos Industriales, Eléctricos de Colombia,

Gran Colombia Gold operates under global standards and compliance with local regulations

Eléctricas de Medellín (EDEMSA), Epiroc, Explomín, Ferrocortes, IG

Representaciones, Kaeser, Sandvik

Colombia and Synergy Supplies, among others.

Also, Gran Colombia Gold works hand in hand with local companies near their operations, incorporating them to its supplier network.

Collaboration with these companies is a labor source for more than 4,000 workers.

MULTIPLE EFFORTS ALONG NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES

Gran Colombia Gold carries different community outreach programs, each one facing different subjects and problems, and each of them aligned

Women’s empowerment is not just a CSR subject, it’s common practice at Gran Colombia Gold

to the United Nations’ development goals.

The “Small Mining Productive Incorporation” initiative has allowed the affiliation of more than 2,500 miners, besides combating illegal mining and contributing to the environment. On its behalf, “Education for Development” is a program focused on refurbishment of schools in different areas and also on developing learning programs along with the “Angelitos de Luz” foundation,

providing scholarships and benefitting more than 180,000 inhabitants with a $2 million investment.

Efforts to bring the gender gap closer are addressed by the “Entrepreneurial Women in Leadership”, which offers training for different skills, benefitting women in areas surrounding Gran Colombia Gold’s operations.

To these and other health, cultural and environmental campaigns, the company also adds more than www.thebostonbr.com

www.grancolombiagold.com.co

angel.Meza@grancolombiagold.com.co

Recent investments have been destined to the acquisition of new underground machinery

$3 million investments to improve and create new roads, benefitting transit in these territories.

“We highlight the positive impact created by alliances among government agencies, local mayors, communities, NGOs and the private sector,” Meza pointed out.

A SHINY HORIZON

The future for Gran Colombia Gold will rely on the support and infrastructure to achieve goals such as reaching a leadership position in the underground mining sector worldwide at profitable costs.

At the domestic level, the company’s intention is to contribute to the country’s economic recovery in collaboration with neighboring communities and local governments, keeping a lasting, stable relationship with its stockholders to strengthen its position among society and reach the top ten list of the most productive mines in the territory, with reserves of one million oz. of gold through sustainable practices.

NATIONWIDE PRESENCE servicing the construction

industry

Pintado

Saint-Gobain Weber has kept a steady presence all along Chile, achieving this accomplishment is possible thanks to the company’s successful strategic partnerships

CONCEIVED FOR ROYALTY FOR GLOBAL AVAILABILITY

Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and solutions for industries such as construction, healthcare and mobility, among many others. The company’s history goes back more than three centuries ago as a glass factory opened under orders of King Louis XIV, in France. Currently, Saint-Gobain has presence in 70 countries with the support of more than 167,000 employees, and in 2020 generated sales for more than $45.4 billion.

Products created by Saint-Gobain are developed under a continuous innovation process and are to be found in many different spaces in everyday life, delivering wellness, execution and safety, undertaking the challenges faced by sustainable construction, resource efficiency and fighting climate change.

BOOSTING PRESENCE THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS

Saint-Gobain’s presence in Chile also goes back long ago. The company has established key strategic partnerships with businesses such as the El Volcán company and the Vidrios Lirquén glass factory. In 1996, Saint-Gobain incorporated Weber, also a company with French

origins and global presence. In 2016, Weber’s affiliate in Chile expanded in South America after acquiring the Solcrom company, a solid player in the production and distribution of chemical products for construction.

The operation in Chile currently has five distribution centers and two production plants, the newest one opening in July 2021 in Concepción, consolidating the company’s presence in all of Chile.

Asier Amorena is the General Manager for Weber Saint-Gobain in Chile since 2017. Amorena is originally a telecommunications engineer, graduated from the Public University of Navarre (Spain), he worked in this specialty during two years for Agilent Technologies in Stuttgart, Germany. Once back in Spain, Amorena was hired at Saint-Gobain for the Marketing and Development department, for which he earned an MBA from the Barcelona School of

Our Company

Management (Spain), adjunct to the Pompeu Fabra University. Besides this degree, Amorena has also taken different marketing courses and seminars in prestigious institutions in Spain, such as IESE, IE Business School and ESADE Business School. His career in Saint-Gobain took a turn in 2011, as Amorena arrived at Brazil as Marketing Director, being named Sales Director five years later; his stint in Brazil

also saw Amorena’s further development in leadership by honing his skills in important business schools with professors with ties to Harvard University and the MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), both in the United States.

NATIONWIDE PORTFOLIO AVAILABILITY

Solutions and products from SaintGobain Weber are useful in projects of

CHEN BUILDING MATERIAL are professional company specialized in the production of alkaline-resistant fiberglass mesh, self-adhesive fiberglass tape, fiberglass wallpaper, paper joint tape and metal corner tape more than 15 years. We also produce ceiling including mineral acoustic ceiling, gypsum ceiling, fiberglass acoustic insulation ceiling etc.

With our policy of “Quality first, Customers prior and Price reasonable”, we have established good relationship with the customers all over the world.

Mineral acoustic ceiling

Gypsum acoustic ceiling

Metal corner tape

Alkaline resistant fiberglass mesh

Self-adhesive fiberglass tape

Paper joint tape

different kinds and dimensions: from repairs, finishes and home remodeling projects to large building construction, offering cement, plaster, mortar, coating, sealers, concrete, silicone and other compounds. These products are available from Arica to Punta Arenas through the three main distribution channels for the Chilean construction industry:

• For the retail market via SODIMAC, the specialized home and construction superstore chain

• Hardware stores

• In construction companies nationwide.

GROWTH VIA DIGITIZATION

The Digital Transformation process at Saint-Gobain Weber Chile is a key factor to the company’s growth with

“WE TRY TO BRING A

FAIR VALUE

OFFER TO OUR CLIENTS AND SUPPLIERS”

- Asier Amorena, General Manager for Saint-Gobain Weber Chile

the development of three main pillars:

• Optimization of managerial procedures

• Improving communication along with thrusting the Weber brand into a digital habitat inclusive to retail clients as well as end consumers of the company’s products, which are mainly

contractors and other construction professionals

• The modernization of the company’s industrial platform through resources set in the Industry 4.0 concept.

PARTNERS, SHAREHOLDERS, STAKEHOLDERS

For decades, the way to success in Chilean territory for Saint-Gobain

Weber has been through the creation of powerful partnerships able to bring win-win situations within a context of absolute and total trust. Both the company and partner El Volcán share this long-term perspective.

“We try to bring a fair value offer to our clients and suppliers. A perspective of value distribution of the shareholder to all of our stakeholders, besides facing the everyday challenge of having a true empathic view with each of our stakeholders,” Amorena declared.

RELATIONSHIPS WITH SUPPLIERS

The provision of supplies, raw materials and other goods to run operations in Saint-Gobain Weber Chile requires specialized purveyors, possessing key traits, such as flexibility, being on time and other attributes which allow establishing

fruitful relationships in the long term. The company has developed key suppliers as well as products with specific requirements, contributing with knowledge and financial support to its value chain.

“Suppliers with operations in Chile are key partners, because they are open to create custom developments adding value to our operations,” the executive said.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO A BETTER PLACE

The “Making the World a Better Home” initiative is a global effort from Saint-Gobain and affiliate companies to help make our surroundings a more sustainable, beautiful place to inhabit.

In facing this commitment, SaintGobain takes its global leadership role for sustainable solutions and focuses on goals such as reaching

“SUPPLIERS

WITH OPERATIONS IN CHILE ARE KEY PARTNERS, because they are open to create custom developments adding value to our operations”

- Asier Amorena, General Manager for Saint-Gobain Weber Chile

Empresas Cloramon S.A.

Chemical at the service of the Construction Industry, Coatings, Paper, Pulp and Agro Industry.

www.cloramon.cl empresas@Cloramon.cl Fono: +56 2 24401320 Panamericana Norte 8900, Quilicura, Santiago Chile

STRONG AND DURABLE CEMENTS WITH MOWILITH®

The high-performance Mowilith® solutions are used for increased durability and strength in cementing operations and to deliver premium mortar performance, including flexibility, waterproofing and offers protection against weathering.

The Archroma Way to a Sustainable World: Safe, efficient, enhanced, it’ our nature.

www.archroma.com

Products created by SaintGobain Weber are in line with the “Making The World A Better Home” program, aligned to the UN’s initiatives about climate change

FOUNDED: 1665

1996 as Saint-Gobain Weber in Chile

INDUSTRY:

a zero CO2 emissions by 2050. This was announced during the UN Climate Action Summit.

This goal contributes to the Business Ambition for 1.5°C global pact, which establishes a maximum increase of global temperature to 1.5°C, considered by science as the limit increase to avoid the worst impacts derived from climate change.

UPCOMING PLANS

Among the upcoming goals for SaintGobain Weber in Chile, the operational platform optimization project stands out, as it does the development of work teams into an intermediate skills mix. It’s been foreseen that once these efforts result in efficient processes and skilled individuals, these will add value to the operation, leveraging growth for the company in the upcoming years.

Leadership in rentals and commercial strategies

The SK Rental operation in Peru grows in strength along with the rest of the affiliates in the territory, becoming a benchmark in equipment rental and developing strategies for equipment sales

Produced by Jassen

Pintado

Written

by

Mateo Rafael Tablado

Interviwee Edmund Egg Noche, General Manager for SK Rental Peru

SK Rental

is a multinational machinery sale and rental company serving agriculture, construction, energy and mining, among other business sectors. The company was conceived in Chile in 1998 as an affiliate to SK Comercial, part of the important Sigdo Koppers corporation, also from Chile with global presence in machinery rental and sales, among other businesses.

SK Rental S.A.C. Peru opened its first location -and country headquarters- in Lima in 2006. Ever since, the company has expanded to cover Peruvian territory also with locations in Arequipa and Piura.

Besides successful operations in Chile and Peru, SK Rental’s leadership in machinery rental has also expanded to Bolivia and Colombia. Machinery available in Peru from SK Rental adds up to 14% of the company’s machinery fleet in the region.

Rental services offered by SK Rental Peru are an excellent alternative for short, medium and long-term projects, in comparison with CAPEX.

CERTIFIED OPERATIONS

SK Rental is a synonym of reliability to clients receiving excellent service under certified operations.

Main credentials held by the company include the triple certification for ISO 9001:2015 management systems, ISO 14001:2015 quality management, the Environmental Management Systems certification and recently concluded a successful migration to the ISO 45001:2018 standard for Occupational Health and Safety.

WELL-STOCKED, UPDATED FLEET

SK Rental’s machinery fleet is comprised of more than 4,500 units, offering variety for construction applications: crane lifts, power

-

Edmund Egg Noche, General Manager for SK Rental Peru

generators, material handling equipment, land moving equipment and platforms, among other machinery.

SK Rental offers latest-generation, low-houred equipment from top worldwide known brands, constantly updated, averaging less than 3,000 hour-use and models no older than three years, providing reliability and safety for high production levels, besides being low-emission vehicles with reduced fuel consumption.

“We are a multi-brand company, which allows us to offer a portfolio of the best models from each brand for the rental market,” commented Edmund Egg Noche, General Manager for SK Rental Peru.

THE OPERATIVE RENTING VALUE PROPOSAL

Since 2020, SK Rental is introducing a long-term rental model: Operative

Renting is applicable for rentals longer than 24 months, thus creating a convenient option for the agroindustry, energy, logistics and specially the mining sectors with flexible rental agreements according to each client’s needs.

SELLING EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY

Machinery sales from SK Rental are supported through different strategies. The company markets its own used and pre-owned equipment in the domestic and regional markets. Nevertheless, the company also offers the acquisition of specific units according to a client’s needs.

SK Rental also offers clients the possibility of renting their own machinery through the Re-Rent program, and also helps clients into selling domestically or within the region via the Re-Sale program.

DIGITIZATION IN ALL FRONTS

SK Rental Peru is supported by a proprietary ERP system for the InRental business unit management, and it also relies on a SAP-R3 system. The company also uses different platforms for on-line video conferencing as well as for E-learning. These resources are already part of the Digital Transformation and Company Culture Transformation

processes the company is undertaking on a territorial level, set to be completed by late 2021, with the goal of increasing productivity and efficiency, with the end result of achieving client satisfaction.

The Be-Rental and Be-Market platforms are already in the final stage of production and are just about to be released. The former is focused toward rentals in general, while the

“

“ We’ve stood united, proving we can achieve important goals by prioritizing the lives and safety of our staff and their families

- Edmund Egg Noche, General Manager for SK Rental Peru

latter is for used equipment sales.

Be-Rental and Be-Market are already working in Chile since 2021 and by the end of this year, both we’ll be working for Peru and the rest of the affiliates in other countries.

“Both platforms are created with the goal of supporting business transactions, centralizing project information with us and increasing our client portfolio by letting clients

become the center of every process and service,” explained Egg Noche.

VALUE FOR PARTNERS AND SUPPLIERS

Relationships between SK Rental Peru and its partners and suppliers are held by basic concepts of safety, quality, lessening environmental impact and compliance with Sigdo Koppers’ corporate principles and values.

The company is a reliable highvolume buyer for each brand’s dealer with solid financial backing.

“We look forward to building solid relationships with our purveyors and clients, directing efforts toward the long term,” the general manager added.

COMPANY CULTURE

SK Rental Peru aims at keeping its

place as an attractive company to work for by creating and maintaining a company culture in which values such as respect, teamwork and communication, among others, stand out as main concepts in its interactions, taking this prevailing internal atmosphere to its clients’ and purveyors’ perception, thus highlighting the company staff’s human value.

Construction, mining, platforms and power generation are just some of the tasks for which SK Rental offers a wide array of machinery

“We’ve stood united through this new normal, proving we can achieve important goals by prioritizing the lives and safety of our staff and their families,” Egg Noche declared.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

SK Rental Peru fulfills a commitment to the environment beyond the constant updating of its machinery

fleet with new, less-polluting equipment, but also through concrete efforts, such as the “Un Contrato, Un Árbol” campaign (“One contract, one tree”), in which proceeds are donated to environmental entities.

“Our campaigns are focused on diminishing any environmental impact and prove we are a corporation committed to our society and to our planet,” the executive said.

PROJECTIONS SUPPORTED BY EXPERIENCE

Goals such as the digital transformation the company is undergoing and the upcoming apps enabling faster transactions for clients are becoming a reality, making SK Rental Perú take big steps toward consolidation beyond its reputation in machinery rentals, but turning into a strategic partner for its clients in equipment sales, using every available resource to display the totality of its potential after

15 years of experience and more than 10,000 honored contracts for public works and private projects for domestic and international clients.

“Our vision is focused on continuous improvement, incorporating innovation through new technologies to optimize our work and services, setting the client in the center of every operation. We are a human team committed to Peru’s development,” concluded Edmund Egg Noche, General Manager for SK Rental Peru.

digitization

Developing the backbone for the of banking

Digital Transformation across Grupo

Petersen’s four banks becomes a benchmark in strategy, activation, progress and growth for a plan simplifying customers’ interactions

Produced by Giuseppe Modenesi

Interviewee

Luciana della Croce, Chief Digital Officer for Grupo Petersen

Grupo Petersen is one of Argentina’s most important corporations.

What began in 1920 as an engineering and construction firm is currently diversified into more companies in the agribusiness, finance -and fintech- and urban services sectors.

The corporation is comprised of the following companies: ASJ Servicios; Banco Entre Ríos; Banco San Juan; Banco Santa Cruz; Banco Santa Fe; Mantenimientos y Servicios; Petersen, Thiele & Cruz; Plus Pagos; Qualia; and Santa Sylvia.

FOUR BRANDS UP TO A DIGITAL CHALLENGE

Grupo Petersen took part in banking and finance since the mid-1990s, and one of its current challenges is developing a digital organizational culture by establishing digital solutions along with cutting-edge

technology as a unique digital bank model is deployed and becomes a standard for complete management of simultaneous operations in the four banks belonging to the group: Banco de Entre Ríos, Banco de San Juan, Banco de Santa Cruz and Banco de Santa Fe.

“This digital transformation is a benchmark in Latin America, implying the deployment of a unique regional digital model in four banks with more than 3,500 employees scattered across five different places,” commented Luciana della Croce, Chief Digital Officer for Grupo Petersen.

PROVEN EXPERIENCE IN DIGITIZING PROCESSES

Digital Transformation across the group’s banks is led by Luciana Della Croce, Chief Digital Officer, and her more than 20-year experience working for global companies in strategic and tech consulting, with tenures in IBM, Telefónica/Movistar and

¿Necesitas una mano para operar online?

Neoris (a CEMEX company), among others. Della Croce has thrusted digital transformation in different organizations by deploying innovative technologies, ensuring business growth within an environment under constant disruption.

Della Croce graduated in Business Management from Universidad del Salvador (Buenos Aires, Argentina) and earned a Master’s in International Finance from IEAF (Spanish Institute of Financial Analysts), and a Master’s in Telecommunications from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, besides other postgraduate studies in Harvard University.

A CLEARLY DEFINED STRATEGY

The current digital transformation program being carried out at Grupo Petersen’s banks began its journey in 2020, and among its first premises considered an inward awareness program at each bank about what this initiative would mean.

The group created a Digital area to lead the corporate digital strategy, whose main goal has been the creation of a simple, innovative, omnichannel experience for the four banks’ more than 2 million customers.

A long-term three-year path was established in which deep, large-scale projects were set for tech transition with an organizational impact. Afterwards, the short- and mid-terms were planned, designed to be revised quarterly.

“We want to obtain improved experiences based on solutions enabling flexibility, efficiency and scalable growth,” commented the executive.

OMNICHANNEL EXPERIENCE THROUGH SIMPLIFIED PROCESSES

Among the fundamental concepts of this transformation, it has been established to maintain unity and consistency in every channel with customer interaction, thus significantly improving customer experience and a timely arrival to the market for value-generating digital services and products.

These goals have been accomplished through lean customer journeys through their involvement with the banks, along with an MVP methodology, with products released in three to six-month periods, continuously evolving to keep bringing value and significant improvements.

“Being extreme, we should be able to solve 100% of customer’s needs in the digital mode, creating the possibility to be physically present at the bank only during circumstances that require so,” della Croce pointed out.

We want to obtain

improved

experiences based on solutions enabling flexibility, efficiency and scalable growth

- Luciana della Croce, Chief Digital Officer

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING

That you should know about us is that we are only interested in working with clients and partners that enjoy working as a team. Data & Analytics

Supplier Profile

Number of Employees::

18

Year Established:

Abril, 2018

Industry:

Marketing y Publicidad

Main Services:

Consultoría y Estrategia en compra de medios digitales

Recent Projects:

Acompañando la Madurez Digital de la estrategia de medios de Grupo Petersen Junto Grupo Petersen, uno de los principales actores financieros de la Argentina, estamos trabajando en la integración de diferentes plataformas dentro del suite de Google GMP para poder ejecutar estrategias de medios data driven. Mediante el análisis de los datos de cada campaña buscamos encontrar a las audiencias ideales para cada producto o solución, tanto entre clientes como no clientes. Ponemos el foco en la medición de los principales puntos de contacto, atribuyendo a cada canal su aporte dentro del funnel de conversión final. Y con el análisis de los principales KPI desarrollamos la estrategia de compra de medios y audiencias que mejores resultados de negocio nos ofrezcan.

President/CEO:

Hernán Valenza, Managing Director

Webpage: digitalsoul.agency

CORPORATE DIGITAL STRATEGY

Factoring technology and infrastructure as enablers, along with talent development and incorporation and the spread of organizational culture transformation toward digitalization, strategy execution answers to these three pillars:

• Digital solutions and services design: these were designed prioritizing the adoption of simple and easy experiences by optimizing the customer’s digital journey. Every pain point was eliminated, considering the adoption of a multichannel strategy with modern, modular architecture based in APIs, platform integration and solutions for managing the new, omnichannel digital banking for the group, which includes: a new home screen in banks’ websites, apps for home banking, mobile banking, digital onboarding, bank websites, content management, conversational banking and social media, among other apps.

We implemented chatbots with virtual assistants for any kind of device bringing automation to more than 500 possible intents for all of our banks

Leandro González, Portfolio Manager and Project Management Officer

“We implemented a conversational bank solution -chatbots- with virtual assistants based on AI and machine learning for any kind of device, bringing automation to more than 500 possible intents for all of our banks. Our chatbot is ‘La Mano’, a character displayed as a robotic hand,” stated Leandro González, Portfolio Manager and Project Management Officer for Grupo Petersen.

• Digital Marketing: our strategies’ main goal was obtaining new customers, profiting and capitalizing from existing customers, increasing web views through SEO and SEM, incorporation of social media resources, real-time bidding, advanced analytics, social media monitoring, messages, as well as other digital strategies and contents. We are working with the market’s best practices in digital marketing with support from digital agencies such as Digital Soul. We are deploying an omnichannel marketing strategy aiming to reach 1:1 personalization of

our customers.

· Big Data and Advanced Analytics:

These resources help us in decisionmaking based on data aligned with AI, which can be monitored in real time, obtaining useful insights from models and from predictive and cognitive use cases. We have developed more than 50 use cases for the financial industry, deploying these same cases in our four banks and managing different ad campaigns with specific microsegmentation for each customer. We rely on an industry-unique model from DataWarehouse which we have boosted with Bigdata advanced tech, adding a significant volume of unstructured data in real time from multiple sources.

SHARED SOLUTIONS AMONG FOUR ENTITIES

The best UX and digital products practices were applied to each of the group’s four banks with a flexible, modular and scalable architecture, accessible from any device to make any transaction.

Meet Cyberbank

See the next-gen digital & core banking platform in action

Request a demo

We have chosen the Cyberbank solution from Technysis Digital Banking as an omnichannel platform to bring cross support to every digital operation for the group’s four banks. This includes managing digital banking for the four banks in the web and mobile versions, and also the 100% digital onboarding which allows for online sales of products and services. This great solution allows us to quickly scale with four banks at once with simplified models while still keeping off-limits to each bank’s local branding

and customization. In this first phase we are updating all of our Digital Retail Banking platform, scheduled to become fully operational in July 2021, and a second phase is already underway to update all of Digital Wholesale Banking.

“In this digital transformation process we are following recommendations from Gartner and widely known market analysts, besides researching for the most innovative solutions in every industry,” commented Daniel Miranda, Head of

Supplier Profile

Number of Employees:: 1000

Year Established: 1995

Industry:

Technology for banks and financial institutions

Main Services:

Provider of next-generation digital banking platforms

Recent Projects:

Banco Original is a full-service digital bank from Brazil that was implemented from scratch in only 14 months using Cyberbank, Technisys Core and Digital platform, as backbone. With Cyberbank, every interaction in the bank is digital, from customers to employees, partners and stakeholders, and the Banco Original team can create new products in record time.The bank has been growing fast and scaling linearly in the cloud. Today it has more than 6 million customers.

Brightside by ATB is a canadian leading regional bank. The Technisys Cyberbank platform offers ATB extreme flexibility to create and deliver tailored financial products, dynamically, whether to a large segment of customers or to a segment of one. With Technisys, the Brightside by ATB team has access to a cloud-native and API-centric end-to-end digital architecture that not only delivers tailored financial products at the speed of commerce, but also enables the digital bank to scale services to hundreds (or millions) of customers, securely. Ultimately delivering endless digital possibilities to meet ever-changing customer behaviors today and tomorrow.

The integration of the Technisys platform into Rellevate enables the american bank to deliver a mobile first digital customer experience that was developed in just four months. With Cyberbank, Technisys´ next generation digital banking platform, Rellevate created an innovative digital banking account for hourly workers and launched a digital account with Interest, Pay any-day and E-transfer. Also, enables them to integrate with Visa DSP, Sutton Bank, Payveris and Centurylink. Cyberbank API powered digital ecosystem allows the bank to quickly meet the needs of customers today and in the future.

Technisys enabled Banco Falabella to deliver a true omnichannel in five countries in Latam. With Cyberbank Digital, Banco Falabella were able to launch a comprehensive digital banking experience for every touchpoint, implemented with mobile, web, kiosk and human assisted interactions. The minimal time to market for continuous delivery sent Falabella to the leaders’ scoreboard and now they have more than 8 million customers in the region.

CEO/President: Miguel Santos, CEO and Co-founder

Webpage: https://technisys.com

CX, Digital Products and Channels for Grupo Petersen.

“Everything we do is fourfold, which requires additional complexity. Four leading brands of regional banks must be managed around each brand’s individual, regional traits,” explained Nicolás Sanín, Head of Digital Marketing for Grupo Petersen.

In the same way, the banks interact with other Grupo Petersen brands by creating strategic partnerships in digital offer, communications and businesswise.

THE ASJ FINTECH

The ASJ Servicios fintech collaborates with Grupo Petersen’s banks and with the financial industry in disrupting traditional payment methods, easing access to payments and collections for businesses and legal persons in a simple, digital and transparent way.

ASJ began in 2013 as a collection company looking to decompress transactions from the group’s bank locations, its network currently relies on more than 1,200 payment terminals.

A digital ecosystem allowing multiple payments with deposits or checks through a mobile phone, debit/ credit cards or a bank account has been developed since 2018.

In early 2021, ASJ created a digital wallet for the Santa Fe province, creating discount and reimbursement partnerships to motivate customers to use it. Along with Banco Santa Fe, in less than three months the digital wallet system recorded purchases near $11 million between 200,000 users and 4,000 affiliated businesses.

“We are very excited about this, we are engaged in conversations with other provinces in order to replicate this very capable model for citizens and business,” declared Alberto Murad, General Manager for ASJ Servicios.

Besides the four banks from Grupo Petersen, the technology and systems offered by ASJ Services are also used by Banco de Córdoba, Banco Corrientes, Banco Macro, Banco

Neuquén and by FCA Compañía Financiera, among other institutions.

DRIVING USERS TOWARD DIGITIZED BANKING

Due to the banks’ large segment of retirees among its customers, a strategy to help them migrate toward digital banking was developed. This strategy is designed to help individuals requiring special assistance to get to know and learn how to use these new channels. Strategies to drive other customer segments to digital banking

were also developed. Each strategy has been aligned with service provided at the banks’ locations and customer support networks.

“We are working on a plan that results in as few pain points as possible, which leads to solving any transaction digitally in its entirety,” della Croce remarked.

COVID19, DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION’S MAJOR ACCELERATOR

The adoption of digital platforms

increased exponentially due to the pandemic. What was originally planned to be finally executed gradually after two years ended up happening in three months, with web traffic increasing fivefold in the banks’ websites, reaching an average of 5 million visits per month.

On its behalf, chatbot conversations increased by 700%, solving approximately 400,000 monthly queries. And social media interactions and queries were 20 times the average, establishing these as the main channels during the pandemic.

“Transaction volumes doubled, resulting in about 50 million monthly transactions through home and mobile banking. Digital channel users increased by 20% in just three months. Artificial Intelligence algorithms allowed us to answer in real time as we faced new situations and

constant changes,” noted Martín Nascimbene, Chief Digital Marketing Officer.

ENABLING CSR DIGITALLY

Grupo Petersen’s commitment to its surrounding communities is carried through four foundations engaging actively in continual outreach efforts.

In 2020, a learning campus was created, supported by an LMS (learning management system) platform, linking different players in society offering educational opportunities with known specialists and personalities promoting collaboration.

“Efforts in education, culture and local development are carried out through our foundations. Programs are promoted considering each community’s context and needs. Tech innovation is part of every action for

In this digital transformation process we are following recommendations from widely known market analysts, besides researching for the most innovative solutions

-

Daniel

Miranda, Head of CX, Digital Products and Channels

A FUTURE WITH EASIER TRANSACTIONS

The omnichannel vision and improvement of user experience are permanent goals along with continual updating for digital banking, digital payment methods and app development.

“The use of Artificial Intelligence must be understood with a ‘cross’ focus of support and efficiency through the entire organization and its processes,” declared Leonardo Acosta, Head of Big Data and social investment in education,” declared Cecilia Hancevic, Head of Fundaciones Grupo Petersen.

By mid-2021 the entire upgrading for retail banking will be completed for the four banks. This same process will be completed in 2022 for wholesale banking used by businesses and SMEs.

- Nicolás Sanín, Head of Digital Marketing

Advanced Analytics.

The roadmap for Grupo Petersen is planned for one to three years with designated periods for AI incorporation in processes with the most value such as CX, digital channels, Big Data, digital marketing, advertising campaigns and sales, considering feedback as a key factor to know and improve user experience.

“The banking industry has a great opportunity to accelerate mobile app development, a trend dominated by startups and fintechs capable of developing APIs which currently surround traditional banking,” finalized Luciana Della Croce, Chief Digital Officer for Grupo Petersen.

and

www.grupopetersen.com.ar

ENGAGE

AND DELIGHT YOUR CUSTOMERS With Next-Gen Digital Banking from Technisys

Consumer buying behaviors, digital innovations and the current environment are disrupting business as usual and taking customer engagement to a whole new level. How can banks shift, react and thrive when the only constant is change? Financial institutions that can create and deliver tailored financial products and services dynamically - allowing customers to receive meaningful recommendations at point of need - have a clear competitive advantage.

Meet Cyberbank, the cloud-based, next-gen digital banking platform from Technisys. Cyberbank is specifically designed to elevate the customer experience by enabling financial institutions to deliver customized products in real-time, wherever and whenever the customer needs them. The result? Customers get what they need, when they need it. Every time.

A true digital transformation empowers banks to innovate and differentiate with novel products that engage and delight customers. But which products and services should banks offer first to ensure optimal results - especially when the variations of products and services can be infinite? The key lies in your data.

With Cyberbank, financial institutions have access to a foundational layer built on data, providing deep customer insights and how best to serve them with one-to-one personalized banking experiences.

Cyberbank is the gateway for banks

to provide “tailored banking” (i.e., custom financial products created and delivered in real time to every customer). In other words, point-ofinteraction solutions that are no longer exclusively offered through banks, but embedded directly into the consumer’s buying journey -- and provided by brands, vertical SaaS companies, and eTailers. Can you imagine the digital possibilities if financial institutions could offer variations of the same product in seconds and were delivered to the right customer at the right time? With Cyberbank Digital, banks and fintechs can.

On top of increasing customer engagement by delivering a delightful experiential layer, Cyberbank enables financial institutions to generate incremental revenue streams by providing tailored products through any point of interaction of the customer’s choice such as...

• A banking as a service offering to other fintechs.

• Embedded into another brand’s financial supply chain or into a customer’s buying process.

• A bank’s digital channel where variations of the same product offering can be successfully delivered through targeting and data analytics.

While Cyberbank Digital enables banks to create a digital ecosystem and build exceptional tailored banking

experiences for customers, Cyberbank Core makes it easy to add capabilities, define product behaviors and change the product structure quickly and easily by using business-oriented tools and a powerful, parameterbased Product Factory so financial institutions can accelerate the time for launching new products. This end-to-end digital backbone is called structural flexibility. A flexibility that is built on three pillars:

• Create ecosystems through dynamic APIs. To create a successful ecosystem banks need a modern API-centric architecture to define internal (closed) and external (open) API endpoints that allow banks to share (or not) the required information with authorized partners in the ecosystem.

• Cloud-based access to customer data. Gain a 360-degree view of each customer that banks will need to create more personalized customer experiences. And, gain access to advanced analytics that can help banks identify new markets and design new products to meet changing economic conditions. By becoming more agile, banks can accelerate speed to market and boost revenue growth.

• Accelerated digital framework. Digital accelerators allow reuse of components already developed

and implemented to serve millions of users, helping to speed up processes, reduce costs and cut the time required to develop and implement a digital strategy.

A best-in-class cloud-native platform, like Cyberbank, that is built entirely on the power of APIs, enables financial institutions to deploy and scale as the business dictateswhether to one, hundreds or millions of customers. Since the platform can deliver limitless digital possibilities, Cyberbank is ranked highest in Architecture and Digital Banking Foundation criteria in The Forrester Wave™: Digital Banking Processing Platforms (Retail Banking), Q3 2020 report.

For example, Technisys empowers financial institutions such as Grupo Petersen in Argentina to scale to two million customers. Cyberbank not only offers cross-support to all digital operations - both web and mobile versions - for the four banks

that comprise Grupo Petersen, but also supports the entire digital onboarding process. Cyberbank empowers Grupo Petersen to scale quickly across its four banks simultaneously with ready-to-use digital capabilities - all while respecting the location and regionalization of each bank.

That’s not all. To scale and offer the best digital banking customer journey, it is essential for financial institutions to connect with customers easily -- whenever and wherever your customers want or need. Cyberbank Konecta, Technisys´s conversational AI engine, makes it easier than ever for financial institutions and their customers to engage and get things done. Cyberbank Konecta uses leading-edge conversational AI technology combined with human understanding to deliver exceptional customer engagement. Its AI virtual assistant lets bank customers speak or text in their own words, creating an effortless customer experience from start to finish.

With Cyberbank Konecta, banks can:

• Deliver an omni-channel experience.

• Reduce customer support costs.

• Create and train AI virtual assistants to meet specific customer needs with an easy-to-use interface

• Deliver consistent and reliable customer assistance, 24/7.

• Learn from every customer interaction and refine customer engagements in real time.

Of course, every customer has different needs and goals. That’s why great digital banking customer service requires understanding and solving problems in the most efficient way possible. This is what Cyberbank solutions do. They redefine the customer experience in new and profound ways for more than 100 million bank customers in 16 countries (and counting)meeting the needs of consumers wherever they are, whenever they need to bank.