A crystal ball would be an extremely useful tool in the world of project management. Counterpart groundbreaking enterprise SaaS solution is as close as it gets to seeing into the future. Companies that utilize their predictive software can determine which strategic projects and initiatives would yield the most value and return on investment. That’s not all. Counterpart’s software solution then helps executives streamline the project execution phase, ensuring real-time reports to track progress and provide essential visibility for executive teams.
Co-founders Michael Rogers (CEO) and Rico Martin (Director of Operations) utilized their 70-plus years of combined and strategic management experience to develop this comprehensive “crystal ball.” The inception of Counterpart began with Rogers and Martin’s collaboration on IT infrastructure projects and consulting work for Crystal Decisions, a technology company that develops business intelligence solutions.
Rogers was the head of global IT operations, while Martin was responsible for the EMEA region. Their roles involved providing infrastructure support for R&D, sales, and demos. Although they weren’t directly involved in the software development side, the experience inspired them to develop a solution that helps companies maximize their investments in strategic projects, improve project execution, and give executives essential insights; it also gave them a 360° view of building, hosting and deploying software.
Rogers recalls, “We started working together with a vision to build a software package. Initially, our platform was much bigger, almost like an ERP for IT. However, we realized the vision was too broad to secure funding. At the time investors were heavily focused on social media and expected quick, high returns, there was little interest in enterprise solutions. So, we honed in on the project portfolio management solution, deciding to fund it ourselves ”
The Founder’s Background
Before Crystal Decisions and his partnership with Martin, Rogers had an impressive 41 years of IT expertise, with 30 of those years spent in senior leadership roles. His career spans diverse industries, including healthcare, legal aid, and IT leadership, before transitioning to the technology sector. At Counterpart, Rogers is CEO and oversees product, finance, and administrative functions.
Martin, with 30 years of experience in senior IT management and consulting roles, has worked for prestigious institutions like Royal Bank, Sumitomo Bank, and BMW. At BMW, he helped set up their financial services, which became a blueprint for other companies.
“I worked mainly in the finance space, within banks like Bank of New York and Bank of Canada. Before joining Mike, I was at BMW Financial Services, setting up their financial systems. This experience in IT and finance equipped me with a broad skill set. Transitioning to entrepreneurship, Mike and I have had to wear many hats, from accounting to sales and marketing. Our passion and commitment to providing value have been key to our success,” Martin shares. As Head of Operations at Counterpart, he oversees sales, marketing, and customer success.
“We do everything,” Rogers adds. “From demos to trade shows and technical support. Our experience has helped us to identify the gap between managing projects and the need to align projects with strategic goals.”
Long-Term Goals and Innovation
Looking to the future, Counterpart Inc. aims to expand the application of its solution across various industries while maintaining its commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.
Rogers explains, “Our vision is that project management will become automated to the point where software plans and manages projects. People still do the work, but the planning and managing become automated. This vision sets us apart from our competitors.”
Counterpart focus on value and innovation have garnered positive feedback and early market reception. “It’s not about task management but about tracking value and ensuring the work derives value. Our focus on value has resonated with clients, reinforcing our commitment to delivering meaningful solutions,” Martin explains.
“People often focus on how much money they’ve spent and how close they are to completion. However, the more important metric is tying that money back to the expected value. For instance, if you’re spending a million dollars and expect to recover it, you need to show you’re on track to achieve that. Our approach emphasizes tracking value over task management, ensuring that the work delivers the expected value.”
Michael Rogers and Rico Martin’s Counterpart is a culmination of their diverse experiences, strategic vision, and commitment to setting new standards in project management. Their innovative solution provides businesses and executives with a powerful ‘crystal ball’ for predicting success, maximizing investments, and achieving operational excellence. To explore its many features further, go to Counterpart.
