Jorge Pilicita

At Prodactive, we love helping people achieve amazing things through Smartsheet and we love hearing their Smartsheet stories and sharing these to help inspire others as to what can be achieved.

We recently spoke to Jorge Pilicita, Account Director at Dexterra Group for National Defense Canada. We first met him at Smartsheet ENGAGE in Seattle, in October 2023, where he explained to us how discovering Prodactive's YouTube channel had been pivotal in his early adoption of Smartsheet and we've been closely connected ever since!

Do read on as Jorge tells us of his journey into Smartsheet.

Hi Jorge! Thanks for being our next Smartsheet Superhero ⚡.  Can you share your introduction to Smartsheet?

My journey with Smartsheet began out of a relentless pursuit of innovation and a desire to push the boundaries of efficiency and collaboration. In every role I've undertaken, I've sought tools that not only streamline processes but also enhance productivity and foster creativity. This quest led me to discover Smartsheet, a platform that seamlessly combines project management, automation, and real-time collaboration.

From the moment I started exploring Smartsheet, I recognized its potential to revolutionize the way we manage projects and data. Its flexibility and robust features opened up new possibilities for driving efficiency and achieving more with less effort. Smartsheet quickly became an indispensable tool in my arsenal, enabling me to transform traditional workflows into dynamic, agile processes.

My commitment to innovation and continuous improvement has always been a guiding principle in my professional journey, and Smartsheet has been a perfect partner in this endeavour.

What was your journey like in mastering Smartsheet?

My journey to mastering Smartsheet has been exciting and transformative. I started with the basics—understanding core functionalities and exploring the interface. I learned to create and manage sheets, automate workflows, and integrate data sources. As I became more comfortable, I delved into advanced features like formulas, conditional formatting, and dashboards.

To stay updated, I participated in webinars, attended training sessions, utilised YouTube platform where I found Prodactive’s solutions platform and engaged with the Smartsheet community, gaining insights and new techniques. Applying my knowledge to real-world projects, I developed intricate plans and automated workflows, refining my skills with each challenge.

Over time, I transitioned from a learner to a proficient user and then to an expert. My mastery of Smartsheet has allowed me to lead initiatives, train colleagues, and drive process improvements. Smartsheet has become integral to achieving efficiency, collaboration, and innovation.

Looking back, my journey with Smartsheet is marked by continuous learning, practical application, and a commitment to excellence. It’s a journey that evolves as I explore new features and strive for excellence in every project.

How did you contribute to the increased adoption of Smartsheet at Dexterra Group?

One of my proudest achievements has been increasing Smartsheet adoption within our organization. Recognizing its potential to enhance workflows and collaboration, I championed its use across various teams.

·       I led by example, incorporating Smartsheet into my projects and showcasing its efficiency and flexibility. By demonstrating tangible results, I illustrated its benefits, showing how it streamlined project management, improved communication, and provided valuable insights.

·       To support adoption, I organized workshops and training sessions for different skill levels and created detailed guides and tutorials. I also established a Smartsheet user group for sharing tips, asking questions, and collaborating on best practices, fostering a supportive environment.

·       I worked with department heads to identify pain points and customize Smartsheet solutions, demonstrating its versatility and relevance. This targeted approach ensured Smartsheet was seen as a critical asset addressing real challenges.

·       Through advocacy, training, and support, I drove significant Smartsheet adoption, improving efficiency, project outcomes, and collaboration. My efforts streamlined workflows and fostered a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

And how has Smartsheet impacted your organisation in your opinion?

Smartsheet has been a game-changer for our organization, delivering significant improvements across various areas:

·       Enhanced Project Management: Smartsheet revolutionized our project management with detailed plans, milestones, and progress tracking through Gantt charts and calendars, ensuring projects stay on track.

·       Improved Collaboration: Collaboration is seamless with Smartsheet. Team members work together in real-time, regardless of location, using shared sheets, comments, and automated alerts, fostering a cohesive working environment.

·       Increased Efficiency: Automation features boost efficiency by reducing manual effort and errors, allowing the team to focus on higher-value activities and enhancing productivity.

·       Better Data Management and Reporting: Smartsheet centralizes and organizes data, making it accessible and actionable. Customizable dashboards and reporting features provide valuable insights for informed decisions and continuous improvement.

·       Flexibility and Scalability: Smartsheet’s flexibility and scalability make it suitable for both small and large projects, adapting as our organization grows and evolves.

·       Enhanced Accountability and Transparency: Clear task assignments, deadlines, and progress tracking improve accountability and ownership among team members.

·       Fostering Innovation: By streamlining processes and reducing administrative burdens, Smartsheet frees up time and resources for innovation, enabling teams to experiment and push boundaries.

In summary, Smartsheet enhances project management, collaboration, efficiency, and fosters a culture of innovation, making it an invaluable asset to our organization.

Your dedication to Smartsheet seems remarkable. Can you elaborate on the impact it had on your professional life?

Smartsheet has opened up a plethora of new opportunities in my professional life. Mastering this versatile platform has allowed me to take on more complex and high-visibility projects. The ability to efficiently manage large-scale initiatives and drive them to successful completion has significantly enhanced my professional reputation.

This expertise has led to opportunities for career advancement, including promotions and invitations to lead strategic projects that are critical to our organization’s success.

The most rewarding part is that my expertise in Smartsheet has allowed me to take on mentorship and leadership roles within my organization. I’ve had the privilege of training colleagues, leading workshops, and guiding teams through the implementation of Smartsheet solutions.

These experiences have not only strengthened my leadership skills but also allowed me to foster a culture of innovation and collaboration within my team. I have seen colleagues grow within our organizations based on these factors.

And what’s next in your Smartsheet journey?

As I look to the future, my Smartsheet journey is set to reach new heights, driven by a commitment to pushing boundaries and achieving what once seemed impossible. Here’s what’s next:

·       Pioneering New Integrations: The next phase involves pioneering new integrations with cutting-edge tools and technologies. By connecting Smartsheet with advanced analytics platforms, AI-driven insights, and enterprise systems, I aim to create a more cohesive and intelligent workflow. This will unlock new levels of efficiency and data-driven decision-making.

·       Driving Strategic Decision-Making: By enhancing data management and reporting, I will develop advanced dashboards to provide leadership with real-time insights. This will facilitate informed, agile decisions, enabling proactive responses to challenges and opportunities.

·       Facilitating Cross-Functional Collaboration: I aim to enhance cross-functional collaboration using Smartsheet’s tools, creating integrated project environments where teams can work seamlessly together. This will foster innovation, accelerate timelines, and drive a cohesive organizational culture.

·       Championing a Culture of Continuous Improvement: I will use Smartsheet for ongoing process optimization, regularly refining workflows, gathering user feedback, and staying updated with new features to ensure best practices and trends.

·       Exploring AI and Machine Learning: I aim to integrate AI-driven tools in Smartsheet to enhance predictive analytics, automate decision-making, and provide intelligent insights, helping us anticipate challenges and optimize resource allocation.

·       Pushing Project Management Boundaries: I will explore innovative methodologies and incorporate them into Smartsheet workflows to drive agility, responsiveness, and success, ensuring our project management capabilities remain cutting edge.

·       Building a Community of Innovators: I aspire to foster a culture of knowledge sharing, collaboration, and mutual support, creating an environment where Smartsheet users can learn from each other, share best practices, and co-create solutions.

·       Embracing the Impossible: By challenging the status quo and seeking new opportunities, I will ensure Smartsheet remains a powerful tool for innovation and transformation. The road ahead is filled with exciting possibilities, and I am ready to explore them, confident that the best is yet to come.

Any final words?

Following your heart and doing what is right often requires courage and conviction. It means daring to pursue your dreams and beliefs, even in the face of doubt or opposition.

Throughout history, groundbreaking achievements have been driven by individuals who refused to accept the limits imposed by others. They dared to challenge the status quo, believing in the possibility of what others deemed impossible.

Remember, true progress is often born from resilience and determination. So, never let someone convince you that your aspirations are out of reach. Embrace the challenges, stay true to your values, and forge ahead with unwavering faith in your vision. What may seem impossible today could become your greatest triumph tomorrow.

Following your heart and doing what is right often requires courage and conviction. It means daring to pursue your dreams and beliefs, even in the face of doubt or opposition. Throughout history, groundbreaking achievements have been driven by individuals who refused to accept the limits imposed by others. They dared to challenge the status quo, believing in the possibility of what others deemed impossible. Remember, true progress is often born from resilience and determination.

So, never let someone convince you that your aspirations are out of reach. Embrace the challenges, stay true to your values, and forge ahead with unwavering faith in your vision.

What may seem impossible today could become your greatest triumph tomorrow.

If this has inspired you, please do let Jorge Pilicita know. Also please share this story with those you know have so much more potential to realise, but may not have the self-belief or support to do so. And with leaders in your organisations who say their people are their greatest assets... maybe it's time to get them a Smartsheet licence to see what they could achieve all round.

And if you know of a Smartsheet superhero you would like to nominate or to let us know your own story, please let us know via our Smartsheet Superhero nomination page.

At Prodactive we are driven by a collective passion to make a massive difference for our clients and unlock wasted time, resource, and capability. And develop Smartsheet Superheroes in the process... please do get in touch if you'd like to find out more about how we could help unlock potential in your organisation.