D'Crypt Private Limited: Managing Talent In A Techno-centric Organisation

By A. Ahad M. Osman Gani & D. G. Allampalli

Abstract

The case describes the challenges of a technology dominant start-up business that aimed to develop products for the information security assurance industry in Singapore in early 2000. Two technopreneurs, Antony Ng and Chew Hwee Boon, identified, attracted and selected technical professionals to build D'Crypt, a cryptographic design and development house in Singapore, where cryptographic and technical professionals more disposed to learning, were in short supply. As Chew overcame these challenges, the company grew from two to 16 technical professionals by 2002.

During this period, several technologies were developed in-house, new crypto products were successfully launched, and the company survived the dotcom meltdown. While its intellectual property (IP) and technological capability increased, the technical professionals' behavioural differences became an organisational concern. When Ng was mulling on ways to motivate and lead a techno-centric organisation to the next stage, Glenda Tan, the HRD manager confirmed that Lionel Teo, a programmer in Crypto Products Group had failed to submit the signed IP agreement despite several deadlines. As Ng pondered on the options, the IP risk burgeoned.

Issues: Managing Technical Professionals, Sustaining Employee Motivation

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