A successful CTO must be able to balance the needs for innovation and efficiency, making strategic decisions about which technologies to invest in, while also ensuring that the technology infrastructure is reliable, secure, and scalable. They must also be able to manage risks and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, while staying ahead of potential threats and vulnerabilities.
Being a CTO requires a combination of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and leadership skills, and is a critical role in driving the success of any organization that relies on technology to achieve its goals.
CP Lee, Chief Technology and Operations Officer at Mola, is a technically sophisticated and award-winning executive leader with over 20 years of dynamic experience in sourcing new business, inspiring customer loyalty, and driving positive impact on the top and bottom lines. In each of their professional roles, CP has taken ownership of highly critical and visible projects and delivered optimal results in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
CP’s impressive track record includes spearheading cost-reduction and containment strategies that resulted in a 30% decrease in operational costs while serving as CTO at Mola. Additionally, CP championed a customer-centric culture that enabled achieving and maintaining 99.995% uptime for the business during their tenure as Head of Technology & Engineering at Home Box Office. CP also pioneered the institution of a new business unit for training services at Motorola Solutions, resulting in an additional US$200K in annual revenue.
CP is also a proactive communicator, skilled analyst, and careful planner. They are adept at building mobile and web products that respond to business needs, advance organizational goals, and improve the customer experience. With CP Lee at the helm, your organization can achieve its goals and exceed expectations.
Adopting Way of Corporate World
Despite being naturally introverted, CP has gained extensive exposure to the international scene and worked with several multinational corporations, positioning himself to confidently lead in any organization. Although he’s often described as a man of few words, his reputation for being an innovative and dependable technology expert with exceptional business and operational skills precedes him.
CP’s journey began as a researcher at one of Asia’s top universities, where he honed his ability to sift through chaos and identify critical details – a skill that proved invaluable as he transitioned to the corporate world. Throughout his career, he has had the privilege of working with major players like Apple, Motorola, and HBO, gaining expertise in various disciplines and emphasizing change and transformation management.
Wide Range of Offerings
Mola, originally an Indonesian OTT platform, has grown to provide a wide range of sports, music, and general entertainment programs across Asia and Europe. The company’s progressive approach centers on engaging audiences both online and offline, as well as cultivating and promoting emerging talents.
Within the Technology & Operation Group, Mola prioritizes precision, efficiency, and effectiveness as crucial components of their strategy and vision. Building a cohesive culture, however, is a continuous effort that requires teamwork and collaboration across different regions and working teams. Trust-building among teams is the starting point for achieving optimization and efficiency in each group. Only then can the company fully realize its vision and maintain its competitive edge in the industry.
CP recognizes that the user experience is paramount. As technology drives the engagement model, the quality of the user experience is the ultimate litmus test. It encompasses the quality of the experience from the initial touchpoint to the end of the user’s journey. Ensuring a positive user experience is crucial for the success of the platform and the organization as a whole.
Sharing the Way of Leadership
As the organization’s top technology leader, CP is responsible for identifying and implementing the most effective ways technology can help the company excel and grow. He firmly believes that, when used correctly, technology can propel businesses forward. However, he also recognizes that misusing or misunderstanding technology can be detrimental and set companies back significantly.
CP is driven by three key areas that guide him every day.
First and foremost, he believes that anything is possible. Throughout his life, he has held this perspective, acknowledging that with hard work and determination, even seemingly insurmountable challenges can be overcome. This mindset was particularly evident during his tenure at Apple, where a team of engineers joined forces with an “us against the world” attitude and achieved remarkable success.
Another key area that drives CP is his ability to dance with uncertainty. He understands that businesses are essentially systems where people lead people to serve people, and that uncertainties are bound to arise unexpectedly. Although planning is essential, he believes that it is critical to remain alert, curious, and observant when things happen in order to retain a sense of control.
Authenticity is also important to CP. He firmly believes in being true to oneself and others at all times. When one is authentic, their role, work, and results will naturally align with their true selves, creating a harmonious and effective outcome. This motto is something he lives by in every aspect of his life, both personal and professional.
“Waking up to see new ideas and functions being rolled out and impacting users’ lives, no matter how great or small, visible or hidden, always brings joy and tears to me,” says CP.
Focusing on Work Flexibility
CP believes that while structured team processes are important, individual freedom is crucial in driving and spearheading big things. Without this flexibility, the process can become slow and stagnant. However, individual heroics without a structured process can cause the organization to lose focus and deviate from its main course.
The key to being a True Leader
CP believes that the mantra of “being open, being true, and being kind” is essential for a true leader. By being open, one is receptive to different perspectives and ideas, which can help drive innovation and growth. By being true, one demonstrates authenticity and honesty, which builds trust and respect with team members. By being kind, one cultivates a positive and supportive work environment, which leads to better collaboration and teamwork.
Through this mantra, a leader can develop and empower everyone around them, fostering a sense of unity and direction within the team. Ultimately, this approach can help the team work more effectively towards their goals while also building strong and positive relationships along the way.
Written by Steve Sanchez.
