Tiếng Việt“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.”
This famous quote by Ruth Bader Ginsburg—Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court and a global symbol of gender equality—is often recalled when discussing the role of women in key areas of society. In today’s rapidly accelerating digital transformation era, the message carries even greater meaning as more women step into leadership positions within the technology industry—an area traditionally seen as highly challenging.
Beyond bringing diverse perspectives, many female technology leaders also act as bridges between business thinking and technical solutions, helping organizations approach technology in a more practical and effective way.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, we spoke with Nguyen Thi Hai, CEO of SiciX, who has more than 16 years of experience implementing SAP ERP projects in Vietnam, about her journey from an economics background to leading a technology company.
Entering Technology from a Business Operations Perspective
Few would expect that the journey of a technology CEO might begin in the banking sector. Nguyen Thi Hai graduated with a major in banking from the National Economics University before joining FPT and starting her career as a SAP ERP implementation consultant.
Unlike many professionals who enter the technology industry through programming or software engineering, her path began with understanding how businesses operate.
“I entered the technology world in a rather unique way. I didn’t start with coding—I started with business processes. My job was to understand how organizations operate and translate those processes into technology systems.”
This perspective helped her see technology not simply as a technical tool, but as a means for businesses to standardize processes, optimize operations, and make more effective decisions.
When the Challenges of ERP Projects Are Not About Technology
After many years working on ERP implementation projects, Nguyen Thi Hai believes one of the most common misconceptions is that project success depends primarily on technology.
In reality, many challenges arise from factors that seem unrelated to technical aspects.
“Many problems come from business processes that have not been clearly modeled, or from requirements that were documented but not truly clarified. There are cases where the system is implemented correctly from a technical standpoint, yet it does not fully solve the business problem.”
According to her, the key factor determining the success of an ERP project lies not only in the technology itself but also in the implementation team and their ability to fully understand the client’s operational challenges.
These experiences were also among the motivations for her and her colleagues to establish SiciX, with the vision of developing technology solutions that begin with real business problems.
“Our goal is to approach technology by starting with real business challenges, designing solutions that can accompany enterprises over the long term rather than simply deploying a system and stopping there.”
Technology Leadership Does Not Always Mean Being the Most Technical Person
In many technology organizations, leadership roles are often associated with deep technical expertise. However, according to the CEO of SiciX, in complex project environments, the ability to connect different perspectives is often more important.
“A leader in a technology environment does not necessarily have to be the most technical person. What matters more is understanding the core problem, bridging business and technology, and ensuring the project stays aligned with its original objectives.”
According to Ms. Hai, this is also a natural strength many women bring to the technology industry. The ability to listen, connect diverse viewpoints, and maintain balance within a team can significantly contribute to more effective project execution.
When the Boundary Between Business and Technology Is Narrowing
Reflecting on her journey—from a banking student to leading a technology company—Nguyen Thi Hai believes the boundary between business and technology is not as wide as many people assume.
In the era of digital transformation, the two domains are becoming increasingly interconnected. Business leaders need to understand technology, while technology professionals must understand business challenges.
“If you learn just a little more each day, the path will gradually open up.” – CEO, SiciX Technology
A Message for Women Choosing a Career in Technology
The career journey of the CEO of SiciX shows that the path into technology does not necessarily have to begin with a technical background. What matters more is perseverance in learning and the ability to connect knowledge across different fields.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, SiciX extends its appreciation and best wishes to all women who are choosing—or will choose—to pursue a career in technology: a journey full of challenges, yet one that also opens opportunities to create sustainable value for businesses and society.
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