Owning the Outcome Constraints Breed Innovation: AI's Quiet Rise in LATAM
Jul 23, 2025
Cecilia Hayafuji, Founder and CEO of HAL, is a visionary in AI-driven productivity with extensive tech experience. She discusses how constraints in LATAM fuel innovation and why the region is a hotbed for AI adoption. Cecilia shares insights on scaling her agency while navigating economic instability and highlights the importance of quality over scale. She emphasizes AI's role in enhancing productivity and offers advice for new partners to specialize and build strong processes for success.
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Journey From Translator To Partner CEO
- Cecilia built HAL after decades in multinational tech and seeing recurring mid-market pains firsthand.
- Her experience ranges from translating manuals to launching Windows 95-era products and leading partner teams.
Long Career Shapes Empathy
- Cecilia began as a Japanese-Spanish translator and joined Microsoft Argentina when the team was tiny.
- She spent 35 years as an employee before becoming CEO, shaping her empathetic leadership style.
Prioritize Cash Discipline
- Keep your company financially safe by growing organically and monitoring cash flow weekly.
- Avoid reliance on loans in unstable LATAM economies and hire only when you have the cash.