Placing Humans in the forefront
For Jacques Gagnon, CEO of Imagem, humans occupy the forefront of everything, even computer-related occupations, which surprises most. Behind a piece of software, there is an entire team that works at bettering the daily operations of users on the account of the technologies the firm has developed. Every need for intervention is dealt with to address problems with clients. No one is seeking the person to blame; no one has bad intentions. This approach where we place value on the individual should be encouraged.
Imagem is based in the Saguenay. The firm creates software to be used in the field of healthcare and its products are used to a great extent by many hospitals in the province. Gagnon mentions that we often forget that there are humans behind the software. For software to be considered efficient, users must be able to understand it and use it to their advantage, which is not always easy to do. In an environment as complex as that of healthcare facilities, and where errors can have serious consequences, Imagem must find ways to facilitate the process of certain tasks that professionals, who experience high stress levels, must perform.
Clients who deal with Imagem not only need software, they need help. The software may be part of the solution. And by choosing Imagem not only do they have access to its software, but they also benefit from its services and of its organizational culture centred on the individual.
This particular way of doing things makes this firm stand out in its field. Imagem is not a multinational business. Clients must appreciate us for us to continue. This is why Imagem attaches such great importance to meeting clients in their environment. When speaking face-to-face, professionals come to understand the frame of mind and the situation in which the user finds himself or herself, no matter the nature of the problem. Gagnon mentions that human interaction is essential to the operation of his software. It allows Imagem to better understand a client’s expectation and the situation.
More importantly, Imagem places the individual at the centre of its corporate culture. When Jacques Gagnon has to choose a candidate, he often gives precedence to the qualities of the person before weighing in their technical skills, which can be developed with time. If we can’t place individuals at a high priority within the organization, Imagem will find it hard to place this priority at the forefront with its clients says the CEO.
The Importance of Valuing the Individual as a Human Being
According to the CEO, the importance of valuing the individual as a human being is a priority that lies at the core of Imagem. This approach is of inestimable value for their software suite. However, it can’t be monetized. Gagnon wonders if greater value shouldn’t be given to human consideration. Why not include this aspect in call for tenders? Project owners evaluate us according to a series of technical functionalities. Wouldn’t the capacity, the achievement potential, the quality and the timeliness of service be more important? asks the founder of Imagem.
Gagnon would love to see people give more consideration to elements other than the monetary value a business has to offer such as the expertise capital, the institutional culture and the quality of life that it creates. He cites as an example hedge funds, where businesses are being destroyed on the sole basis of short-term profits.
“We often forget that there are humans behind the software. For software to be considered efficient, users must be able to understand it and use it to their advantage, which is not always easy to do,” says Jacques Gagnon.