Leadership Insight:
Filip Popovič

Leadership Insight | July 2024

Meet Filip Popovič, our Chief Operations Officer based in Dubai 🇦🇪

Filip has been at forefront of our transformation journey since joining Groupon in December 2022 as SVP of Transformation, Product, and HR. Now in the pivotal role of Chief Operations Officer, he plays a key part in not only leading our organizational transformation but also in harnessing our product-led growth potential. Filip brings with him to Groupon a rich and diverse background that spans across various sectors, including Private Equity, Venture Capital Funds, and large publicly traded companies such as Alphabet Inc. and Gen digital (formerly known as Avast). With his expertise and experience, he is steering our initiatives and ensuring that our team is equipped to drive the company's evolution and growth in the most effective and efficient manner.

Beyond Code:
The Indispensable Fusion of Engineering and Business Acumen in Tech Roles

In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology, the paradigm of what constitutes an effective tech professional is undergoing a seismic shift. Gone are the days when mastery of coding languages and engineering principles alone sufficed. In today's tech-driven economy, possessing exceptional business acumen is not just an advantage for engineers; it's a necessity.

The intersection of technology and business has never been more pronounced. As tech companies strive to innovate and outpace competition, the value of engineering solutions is increasingly measured not just in lines of code, but in their impact on business outcomes. 

Engineers with a keen understanding of the business side can bridge the gap between technical potential and market reality, creating solutions that are not only innovative but also commercially viable.

Consider the tech giants and successful startups of our time. Their breakthroughs are not just feats of engineering; they are triumphs of business strategy or even new business models/new sector. Engineers in these environments are expected to think like entrepreneurs, understanding customer needs, market trends, and the economic implications of their work. This dual competency enables them to develop products that resonate with users and generate revenue, turning technical expertise into business success.

Moreover, in an era where technology is ubiquitous, the role of an engineer has transcended traditional boundaries. Engineers today are required to collaborate with cross-functional teams, communicate complex ideas to non-technical stakeholders, and contribute to strategic decisions. This demands not only technical prowess but also a solid grasp of business fundamentals, from market analysis to financial modeling.

The integration of business acumen into engineering also fosters innovation. Engineers who understand the market can identify unmet needs and untapped opportunities, driving the development of groundbreaking technologies. They become proactive agents of change, not just executors of predefined tasks.

Furthermore, as technology continues to disrupt industries, engineers with business acumen are better equipped to anticipate and adapt to these changes. They can foresee the implications of emerging technologies and guide their organizations through digital transformation, ensuring longevity and relevance in an ever-changing market.

In conclusion...

...while technical excellence remains the bedrock of engineering roles - we cannot stop training talented engineers that can solve the most difficult problems, but those entering the profession need to be aware of the rapidly changing tech landscape and how it demands a broader skill set. Engineers with strong business acumen are the architects of tomorrow's innovations, poised to lead their organizations to new heights of success. They are the ones who will not just build the future, but also define it. As we forge ahead in this digital era, let us redefine what it means to be a great engineer – it's no longer just about being a master of technology, but also a savvy business strategist.