Phil Lorenzo is the accomplished and dedicated Chief Operating Officer at FYC Labs. With a multifaceted skill set and a passion for technology, Phil has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s success. As a self-taught software engineer, he brings expertise in various tech domains, including Web3 applications, DevOps, developer learning, and product management.
Phil’s impactful contributions, effective communication, and technical prowess extend beyond his professional pursuits. He is an esteemed author of technical documentation and articles for organizations like Chainstarters, Oracle, and Fixate, solidifying his authority in the field. Outside of work, Phil is an aspiring author and finds joy in personal relationships and embracing the joys of life, calling Portland, Oregon home, where he enjoys the company of his loyal pup, Harley.
How does your role play a crucial part in achieving the goals of FYC?
As the COO at FYC, my primary objective is to ensure the smooth operations of the company. Nevertheless, I strongly believe that the key to our success lies in the hands of our people. It is my responsibility to hire the best talent, provide them with the necessary resources, and manage their projects and time effectively. Our employees are the backbone of our company, and their hard work generates over 90% of our revenue. Therefore, it is important to me to ensure that they are content and efficient. A happy and motivated workforce is essential for the growth and sustainability of our business.
What’s your favorite part of working at FYC?
What I appreciate most about working at FYC are the people. My priority is always people-first. Each day presents a new challenge, with unique problems that require fresh solutions. However, the real challenge comes from working with the people on those problems. If you don’t enjoy working with your team, then what’s the point of being challenged at all? In a team dynamic, it’s essential to like and care about the people I work with. Ultimately, I want to feel a genuine connection with the people I work with.
Tell us about a company policy or approach you have formulated. What prompted it?
One of the company approaches I helped formulate was our revamped interview process. In the past, we only had one interview before making hiring decisions. However, now we have implemented a comprehensive interview process, which includes an introductory interview, a technical screen, and a meeting with the CTO or design team, if applicable, followed by the final hiring phase. This company policy has been instrumental in enhancing our hiring process.
On the client side, we have prioritized the credit scoring system. We took steps to ensure that our credit lines strike the right balance – ensuring that we are diligent in our collection process while maintaining a positive working relationship with our clients and ensuring timely payment for completed work.
What makes FYC different from other companies?
At FYC, we prioritize creating a culture where individuals are encouraged to make mistakes and ask questions, and where everyone is invested in each other’s success. By fostering an environment of support and collaboration, we create a sense of motivation and drive to deliver quality work, even under pressure. Our team members feel empowered to take risks and learn from their experiences, leading to continuous growth and improvement for both the individuals and the organization as a whole.
We believe in taking chances on talented individuals who may have been overlooked by traditional work pipelines. A diverse range of life experiences and identities is another value for us. We look for “diamonds in the rough” and empower them to succeed in our industry.
What are the three words you would use to describe your managing style?
Empathy, practical, and progressive.
The first one would be empathy. It is a natural state for me to be empathetic with people, to understand where they are and to feel what it is like to be in their shoes. It’s essential to be able to grasp and genuinely experience the feelings of another person, whether it involves a professional decision, a personal matter, or the performance of an individual, be it struggling or excelling. Having empathy and truly appreciating each person’s perspective is a powerful quality for any leader. I’m constantly aware of it, and if I find myself getting frustrated or losing that connection, I make a conscious effort to pause and re-center myself.
The second one would be practical because, for me, I enjoy envisioning the future, contemplating day-to-day choices, and taking decisive actions. I’ve always been someone who prefers to approach situations in a practical manner.
Lastly, as someone who constantly seeks positive changes, I consider myself progressive, and I consistently challenge myself with questions like: “Are you constantly thinking ahead? Are you open to change? Are you making progress throughout the day?” I believe that being forward-thinking is a crucial quality for a leader. If you become too conservative in your thinking, it can hinder your ability to make impactful decisions, and you might find yourself stuck in the status quo.
How has your experience in the industry prepared you to be a COO?
My years of experience working with people through customer service have prepared me well for my current position. In my opinion, having a background in customer service is crucial for any executive role. Dealing with customers is an excellent training ground for anyone who aspires to be a C-suite executive. The majority of the work done by CEOs, CFOs, and COOs involves interacting with people – there’s no getting around that fact.
Tell me the top 5 reasons to join the FYC team.
- Challenging work every
- An environment that welcomes mistakes
- Culture of learning
- Great people
- No office politics
We’re completely performance driven company and we do not have office politics.
What’s your guiding principle on measuring and accomplishing individual and organizational goals?
My guiding principle is centered around the idea of leaving things in a better state than I found them. Additionally, I strongly believe in the importance of personal growth, striving to be a better version of oneself each day without overcomplicating the process. This mindset of continuous improvement applies to all aspects of life, from personal relationships to professional endeavors. By prioritizing what truly matters and having a clear direction, we can maintain our progress and move forward with purpose.
If we were to walk around your work, work around your workspace, what would we see?
You would see my dog Harley, chewing gum wrappers, you would see random receipts underneath the laptop tray. Also a local coffee shop card reward cards stamped insanely. I love putting stickers on my desk, so you would find random stickers. Pens, pencils, and a book. There’s gotta be one notebook on my desk, something where I could write really quickly. The tactile and quick nature of the pen and paper is still supreme to me. I do use an iPad to take notes, but only if the conscious effort is prior to a meeting. I have the iPad ready to go and I’m taking notes digitally. When I have a tactile book with paper in it that I can quickly open up and jot notes in, for me is more helpful than click open the app, go into notes, and start writing.
Connect with Phil on LinkedIn.
Meet FYC Labs Founder and CEO/CTO – Justin Fortier