Historia del Grupo Intercorp: Ramón Barúa, ex Ceo / Top lecciones de crecimiento

Insights from Pastor Mendoza on Excellence and Peruvian Identity

The Importance of Excellence

• Pastor Mendoza emphasizes the value of doing things excellently, noting that while it may require more time, money, and effort, the satisfaction derived is unparalleled.

Defining Peruvian Traits

• The speaker identifies three key traits of Peruvians: creativity, hard work, and solidarity, particularly among the less fortunate.

Introduction to Ramón Marua's Professional Journey

Ramón Marua's Background

• Ramón Marua shares his extensive professional experience spanning over 50 years, including 21 years as co-manager at Grupo Intercorp.

• He reflects on his life story, motivations, experiences, and anecdotes from his career in Peru.

Continuous Learning as a Core Principle

Early Conversations with Ramón

• The interviewer highlights Ramón’s commitment to lifelong learning as a fundamental lesson learned during their discussions.

Educational Foundations and Early Career

Academic Background

• Ramón recounts his early education at Molo Corazón and Champagnat Los Maristas in Miraflores which provided him with a strong foundation in English.

Transition to Higher Education

• He graduated as an industrial engineer in 1967 and later pursued further studies in Belgium.

Family Influence on Education

Personal Influences

• Ramón credits his mother’s dedication as a teacher for instilling a love for learning within him from an early age.

Initial Professional Experiences

Early Work Experience

• Before studying abroad, he worked as an industrial engineer at Ferro Enamel in Mexico. Upon returning to Peru, he joined Minero Perú before moving into construction with Cosapi for 18 years.

Notable Achievements

• At Cosapi, he played a pivotal role in developing significant projects like the first shopping center in Peru (Centro Comercial Arenales).

Political Engagement

Brief Political Involvement

• Ramón dedicated 18 months to politics under Dr. Mario Vargas Llosa’s movement but ultimately returned to business after this experience.

Entrepreneurial Ventures

Transitioning Back to Business

• After political involvement, he accepted a managerial position at Perubar Mining Company before joining AFP Horizonte where he contributed significantly until invited by Carlos Rodríguez Pastor to help establish Intercorp.

Founding Intercorp

Intercor's Success and Peru's Historical Context

Intercor's Workforce and Talent Management

• Intercor is one of the largest business groups in Peru, employing over 100,000 collaborators across all 25 regions.

• The key to Intercor's success, as noted by Carlos Pastor, lies in attracting and retaining top talent for various roles within the organization.

Historical Challenges in Peru

• The speaker reflects on their professional journey through different eras in Peru, emphasizing the country's remarkable nature despite its challenges.

• Early career experiences included navigating a military government with significant state reforms and nationalizations that created tense conditions.

• Transitioning back to democracy under Fernando Belaunde marked a transformative period for the country.

Economic Turbulence and Recovery

• Alan García’s first presidency coincided with severe economic mismanagement leading to hyperinflation, marking one of the toughest periods in Peruvian history.

• Fujimori’s initial years focused on economic recovery through market-oriented policies and privatization efforts after overcoming terrorism.

Growth Period Under New Leadership

• Alejandro Toledo’s presidency initiated sustained economic growth above 5%, fostering societal progress and well-being.

• Recent years have seen political anxiety but maintained macroeconomic stability; Peru has reserves of $78 billion and controlled fiscal deficits.

Current Economic Landscape

• The Central Bank of Peru is recognized globally for its effective management under Julio Vard, contributing to ongoing export growth projected to exceed $66 billion this year.

• Despite resource scarcity in sectors like fishing, tourism is rebounding with expectations of reaching pre-pandemic visitor levels at 4.4 million tourists.

Long-term Vision for Development

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of patience and clarity in vision for long-term political efforts while remaining optimistic about future scenarios if managed wisely.

Core Values Driving Intercor

• Discussing Intercor’s foundational pillars, integrity stands out as a core value reflecting honesty and consistency between words and actions.

Collaboration and Excellence in Intercorp

The Importance of Collaboration

• Effective collaboration is emphasized, highlighting that multiple perspectives lead to better decision-making. Each talented individual may feel they possess the ultimate truth, which complicates consensus-building.

• A culture of continuous improvement is vital; employees are encouraged to assimilate knowledge daily to enhance their professional and personal growth.

Commitment to Quality Service

• Intercorp's foundational commitment involves providing high-quality products and services tailored for the Peruvian middle class, ensuring accessibility without compromising international standards.

• Understanding customer needs is crucial; delivering quality service fosters comfort and identification with the brand.

Passion for Excellence

• The pursuit of excellence requires additional time, effort, and resources but results in unique satisfaction. This principle drives all operations within Intercorp.

• An anecdote illustrates this commitment: during the acquisition of Interbanca in 1994, leadership aimed not just for functionality but also for a spectacular headquarters that would symbolize excellence.

Architectural Vision

• The vision included collaborating with top architects globally to create a functional yet stunning building. This approach reflects a blend of modernity with traditional Peruvian architecture.

• The winning design by architect Hans demonstrates how historical elements can inspire contemporary structures while maintaining cultural significance.

Talent Attraction and Retention

• Attracting top talent is essential for success at Intercorp. This involves offering challenging visions, competitive remuneration, and opportunities for personal development.

• Intercorp stands out regionally by providing an exclusive corporate university for its employees, facilitating access to premier educational programs at no cost beyond their time commitment.

Challenges and Strengths of Peru

Importance of Training and Values

• The speaker emphasizes the significance of investment in training, describing it as "the best money spent" and highlighting four key pillars: values, passion for excellence, customer knowledge, and talent.

Peruvian Talent and Resources

• The discussion shifts to the potential of Peruvian talent, noting that it is centered around people. The speaker expresses pride in Peru's natural resources beyond minerals, including unique agricultural advantages due to diverse microclimates.

Unique Environmental Advantages

• Peru's coastal geography is highlighted with the convergence of cold and warm ocean currents near Piura, leading to a rich variety of marine life which supports fishing industries.

Cultural Heritage and Tourism

• The speaker points out Peru's ancient civilizations as a significant draw for tourism, suggesting that its historical richness surpasses even some aspects of Egyptian history.

Resilience in Adversity

• A personal anecdote illustrates the resilience of Peruvians during civil unrest in 2023. Despite challenges like store looting and arson in Puno, local management prioritized reopening stores to support employees' livelihoods.

Community Commitment and Business Strategy

Employee Welfare Focus

• The commitment to employee welfare is underscored by a manager’s determination to reopen a store quickly after disturbances to ensure staff could continue earning their salaries with dignity.

National Identity Through Work Ethic

• The speaker reflects on the strong work ethic among Peruvians—characterized by creativity, hard work, and solidarity—especially among poorer communities.

Strategic Business Expansion

• Factors influencing business expansion into various sectors include a commitment to excellence. This approach aims at making Peru "the best place in Latin America to raise a family," focusing on well-being through education, health care, and infrastructure improvements.

Intercorp’s Vision for Excellence

Organizational Structure for Impact

• Intercorp operates under four platforms aimed at enhancing middle-class welfare: financial services for resource provision; retail focused on quality products at low prices; commercial centers; and healthcare services through pharmacies reaching underserved areas.

Retail Model Commitment

• Plaza Vea exemplifies Intercorp’s retail strategy by offering high-quality products at consistently low prices accessible to middle-income families while optimizing their overall well-being.

Community Engagement Through Development

Education Revolution in Peru

Overview of Educational Institutions

• The speaker discusses the educational platform, highlighting its appeal and the presence of various institutions including schools, institutes, and the UTP university, which has over 200,000 students and is the largest in Peru.

Innovative Teaching Methods

• A new model of education is introduced that contrasts with traditional methods from the 19th century. Students learn through play, stimulating curiosity, creativity, discipline, and teamwork.

• Teachers facilitate group work where students research topics collaboratively and assess each other's presentations. This modern teaching technique yields impressive results but requires ongoing teacher training.

Infrastructure and Teacher Training

• Emphasis on improving school infrastructure continuously to enhance educational quality. The institution also trains teachers not only for Peru but for Latin America as well.

Technical Education Focus

• Discussion on two technical institutes: Cidad (focused on administration) and IDAD (technical-oriented), both serving around 20,000 students. IPAE collaborates with German models emphasizing education through work.

Accessibility and Scholarships

• The speaker notes that all tuition fees are affordable for middle-class Peruvians while acknowledging persistent poverty in the country. They aim to provide scholarships to at least 10% of students accessing schools.

• Currently at about 4% scholarship provision for technical and higher education students; this remains a significant challenge to ensure quality education access for future generations.

Leadership Insights

Values-Based Leadership

• Leaders should act based on values when managing teams in corporate or entrepreneurial settings. Understanding colleagues' needs is crucial for effective leadership.

Continuous Learning Culture

• Leaders must stay ahead of their team's expectations across various aspects—professional development, family support, etc., fostering an environment conducive to continuous learning.

Commitment to Excellence

• Providing opportunities for ongoing training is essential as science and technology evolve rapidly; leaders should encourage systematic knowledge acquisition among team members.

Passionate Pursuit of Quality

• Developing a passion for excellence is highlighted as a valuable gift leaders can offer their teams. Striving for high-quality outcomes may require more effort but leads to unique satisfaction.

Personal Growth Through Lifelong Learning

Importance of Continuous Education

• The speaker emphasizes lifelong learning as vital regardless of age; they have consistently engaged in rigorous educational programs throughout their life.

Recent Learning Experiences

The Role of Private Investment in National Development

Understanding Client Expectations and AI Integration

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding unspoken client expectations, highlighting the value of generative artificial intelligence in enhancing their engineering skills.

• They acknowledge the challenges of adapting to new knowledge but express determination to keep up with evolving demands from future generations.

The Importance of Private Investment

• The discussion shifts to the critical role private investment plays in national development, asserting that it is essential for societal progress.

• The speaker notes that successful individuals often have access to quality education and solid principles, which are crucial for driving development.

• Entrepreneurs are identified as key players who not only generate wealth but also possess insights into national issues and decision-making processes.

Responsibilities of Entrepreneurs

• Entrepreneurs bear significant responsibility beyond business; they can influence political landscapes through non-partisan means by advocating for industry interests.

• While entrepreneurs stand out, the speaker stresses that all Peruvians must contribute positively towards national improvement.

Vision for Peru's Future

• A strong belief exists that providing a clear direction for Peru will lead to success, referencing initiatives led by Fernando Zavala aimed at enhancing competitiveness.

• Plans initiated since 2016 under various administrations aim for a long-term vision towards 2050, focusing on sustainable growth.

Key Objectives Towards 2050

• The plan outlines four main objectives: full citizenship, competitiveness, sustainability, and democracy—each with specific indicators to measure progress.

• Aiming for zero poverty by 2050 is highlighted as achievable based on past successes in reducing poverty levels significantly over two decades.

Challenges and Aspirations

• Competitiveness goals include doubling per capita income through improved education and productivity within industries.

• Sustainability remains a challenge with current performance below desired standards; efforts are needed to enhance environmental metrics significantly.

Enhancing Democratic Quality

• Improving democratic quality is crucial; aspirations include moving from the lower third to the upper third regionally regarding governance standards.

Monitoring Progress

• Collaboration with civil institutions like Transparency International aims to monitor democratic quality improvements over time.

Conclusion on Youth Engagement

Insights on Values and Success

Importance of Reference Models

• The speaker emphasizes the significance of having reference models who are experienced individuals, suggesting that their guidance is invaluable for personal development.

Living by Values

• Emphasizes the challenge of living a life based on values such as transparency and firmness, noting that it requires significant effort and sacrifice but ultimately leads to profound satisfaction.

Pursuit of Excellence

• Advocates for a passion for excellence in all endeavors, regardless of their scale. Encourages individuals to strive to be the best in their respective fields.

Family as a Foundation

• Highlights the importance of family support in achieving personal success. The speaker credits his extraordinary family for much of his accomplishments, stressing that marriage requires daily effort.

Redefining Success

• Defines success as the satisfaction derived from fulfilling one's commitments through hard work and perseverance. This sense of achievement is described as priceless.

Reflections on Personal Growth and National Pride

Gratitude and Encouragement

• Expresses gratitude for sharing experiences and encourages continued efforts in promoting regional programs, highlighting respect for provincial contributions.

Love for Peru

• Urges listeners to fall in love with Peru, emphasizing its rich offerings and unique experiences that contribute to personal fulfillment.

Future Outlook

• Acknowledges current challenges while maintaining optimism about Peru's future potential. Stresses that few countries can match its quality of life and diversity.

Unique Offerings

• Points out the exceptional availability of fresh produce year-round in local markets, showcasing Peru's agricultural richness compared to other nations.

Community Spirit

• Celebrates the solidarity among people in Peru, particularly during challenging times. The speaker expresses pride in this inherent goodness within society.

Challenges Ahead

Addressing National Issues

• Recognizes pressing issues such as education, healthcare, and security that need improvement across the nation while advocating for active engagement with these challenges.

Infrastructure Development

• Mentions ongoing infrastructure projects like bridges and government buildings aimed at enhancing national development. These initiatives are seen as steps toward building a better future for Peru.