In this captivating episode, we sit down with Byron Nicolaides, the founder and CEO of PeopleCert, Greece's first tech unicorn. Byron shares his remarkable journey from humble beginnings in Istanbul to creating a global certification powerhouse with operations across 225 countries. Discover how PeopleCert evolved from a local Greek company into an international leader in professional and language certifications, empowering millions with the skills they need to succeed.
Byron reveals the unique challenges he faced operating out of Greece and why he chose to position PeopleCert as a global entity. Hear his insights on leadership, innovation, and the core values that have propelled PeopleCert’s success, including quality, integrity, and a relentless focus on creating life-changing opportunities. Join us for this inspiring story of resilience, vision, and the transformative power of certification.
Krishna engages with Byron, the founder and CEO of PeopleCert, to unravel his extraordinary journey from humble beginnings to leading a global certification powerhouse. The conversation kicks off with Byron reflecting on the general perception of Greece, which is renowned for its ancient history, mythology, and tourism, but not for tech unicorns. Byron challenges this stereotype by outlining how he built a global business out of Greece that would become the first unicorn, PeopleCert.
The discussion delves into PeopleCert's strategic decisions during the Greek financial crisis, which saw the company consolidating and focusing on global markets. Byron emphasizes the company’s adherence to core values: quality, innovation, passion, and integrity, which have remained unchanged since their inception. Two additional guiding principles, clarity and velocity, were later incorporated to manage growth effectively.
Byron's leadership style, rooted in long-term relationships and a robust management team, comes to the forefront as he stresses the importance of trust, quality, and innovation. The company’s global footprint includes operations and subsidiaries in the UK, the US, China, Turkey, and several other countries. Despite its global operations, PeopleCert maintains a strong presence in Greece.
The podcast also explores Byron's vision for PeopleCert’s future, aiming for continued global growth and potentially venturing into an IPO. They strive to impact millions more lives through certifications, aid individuals in creating better career opportunities, and contribute significantly to society through various initiatives, primarily in education.
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