Interview with Grimaud Fotso - IT Director
Julie : Today, I have the pleasure of speaking with Grimaud Fotso, who has been IT Director at DAWCO for six years. Thank you, Grimaud, for taking the time to share your career path with us. Can you tell us about your background and what led you to head up the IT department at DAWCO?
Grimaud : I have been working in IT for over 20 years, first in networks, telecoms, and VoIP, then in Windows and Linux environments. When I arrived in Canada in 2014, I chose to specialize in cybersecurity, a key area for the future. After earning a bachelor's degree from Polytechnique and several certifications, I worked in complex and regulated environments, which gave me a very structured approach. I joined DAWCO in 2019 after a memorable interview with Richard Gadoury and Stéphane Tousignant. The company was going through a difficult period, but showed a strong desire to bounce back and, above all, a clear determination to modernize its IT department—a stimulating challenge that convinced me to choose DAWCO.
Julie : What an impressive career path, Grimaud! We are very lucky to have you with us! How would you describe your day-to-day role and your team's main responsibilities?
Grimaud : Our priority is to ensure a stable, high-performance, and secure technological environment. We support operations, protect DAWCO against cyber risks, and assist users in their daily work. For us, users are real customers.
Julie : We're lucky to have you, because with today's technologies, there's always something going on! DAWCO is currently undergoing a major organizational transformation with the Fondation 2027 project. What role does information technology play in this evolution?
Grimaud : IT is a central pillar. The transformation is based on automation, standardization, and improving the user experience. These levers optimize processes, reduce delays, and improve data quality to facilitate decision-making.
Julie : I completely agree. We often talk about digital transformation. What is your vision for DAWCO's digital development in the coming years?
Grimaud : I imagine better standardization of processes, more automation of low value-added tasks, more training in cybersecurity, and simple, effective tools that improve the user experience. Technology should not be a hindrance to the user.
Julie : When we talk about user experience, we often think of the external user. But today, at DAWCO, the user is also the internal user. And I think that reflects DAWCO's values well: taking care of its people. What recent innovation or improvement have you found most significant or valuable for the teams?
Grimaud : Fondation 2027 is a real catalyst for the modernization of our tools and for the growth of the company. It also comes with a significant strengthening of our cybersecurity posture thanks to the new platforms deployed.
Julie : It's true: we tend to think that we've never been hacked, but it only takes one time and the impact on credibility can be enormous. You are a small team of two people: how do you manage to effectively support all departments and their needs?
Grimaud : Ticket prioritization, our versatility, and support from external partners help us respond effectively to requests. Our goal is to stay close to users and ensure service availability.
Julie : What are the biggest challenges you face in implementing new technologies in the construction industry?
Grimaud : The challenge is to adapt simple but robust solutions to a wide variety of user profiles. We must avoid technology becoming a hindrance. Training is essential, as is information security. I am currently working on an internal awareness campaign and phishing tests.
Julie : That's really interesting, it's so easy to get caught out! What are your colors according to the “Know Your Colors” training, and how has this training helped you in your role as a manager?
Grimaud : Yes, a lot. I'm blue and red, which helps me analyze and focus on results. Understanding the other colors has allowed me to adapt my communication and improve collaboration with my colleagues.
Julie : Working in IT often means being called on at all hours for emergencies. How do you manage to balance your professional and personal life in this context?
Grimaud : Through automation, smart alert systems, and delegation. We work to prevent rather than react.
Julie : If you had to describe DAWCO's corporate culture in one word, what would you choose and why?
Grimaud : Committed. Management is involved, teams collaborate, and everyone wants to move the company forward. There's also a strong sense of belonging because management puts employees at ease.
Julie : Finally, if you had to sum up the ambition of the IT department at DAWCO in one sentence, what would it be?
Grimaud : To improve the user experience and fully support management by creating a high-performance and secure technological environment.
Julie : We're lucky to have you! Thank you very much for your time.
Grimaud : It was my pleasure. Thank you for having me.