Turning Transforms Innovation into Global Impact
Duong Viet Tung
Chief Operations Officer
akaBot
Turning Transforms Innovation into Global Impact
Duong Viet Tung
Chief Operations Officer
akaBot
This is the world where Duong Viet Tung thrives. As Chief Operations Officer at akaBot, he leads teams across more than 20 countries, turning complexity into opportunity. Whether it’s integrating AI, streamlining automation, or guiding people through rapid transformation, Duong’s strength lies in making momentum out of uncertainty. His approach is deeply human, focusing not just on systems and processes but on building trust and adaptability in every team he leads. His rise is built on experience at the frontier of Vietnam’s technology sector—engineering agile teams at NashTech, nurturing collaboration at One Mount Group, and evolving from hands-on product builder to strategic operations leader. Today, his leadership at akaBot has delivered a 200% revenue surge, industry accolades, and a culture defined by trust and innovation. Under his direction, akaBot was named a ‘Major Contender’ by Everest Group’s RPA PEAK Matrix® in both 2023 and 2024—a recognition earned thanks to strong APAC market growth, robust investments in RPA capabilities, and exceptional client feedback praising the product’s ease of use and rapid, localised support. In this exclusive conversation with TradeFlock, Duong Viet Tung distils years of lessons into actionable insights, sharing how he navigates complexity, champions innovation, and sets the pace for the future of intelligent operations.
How has your view of innovation and execution changed as you’ve grown from product manager to global COO?
“Innovation and execution are two sides of the same coin—one without the other is just potential, not progress.” Early on, I saw innovation as building solutions for specific needs and execution as delivering on those ideas, often against the odds. With each step—from product management to program leadership and now as COO—I’ve learned true impact comes from balancing creativity with disciplined delivery, always keeping the customer at the heart. Today, I see innovation as a strategic force, and execution as the bridge that turns vision into measurable value.
What are the biggest operational challenges in agentic automation, and how do you navigate them?
Agentic automation is game-changing, but it brings its own set of hurdles, notably integrating with legacy systems, ensuring trust in AIdriven decisions, and scaling efficiently. I see these challenges as opportunities to innovate responsibly. I always remind my team that bold innovation means nothing without transparency and adaptability. We tackle integration with modular designs and APIs for seamless connectivity, embed transparency and compliance through audit trails and human oversight, and leverage cloud-based infrastructure for effortless scalability. Just as importantly, we invest in upskilling people, empowering our clients and teams to embrace new ways of working and fully unlock automation’s value.
What’s your approach to deciding if a new technology belongs in akaBot’s ecosystem?
Whenever a new technology comes across my desk, I think first about the people it will affect—our customers and our teams. My guiding question is always, “Will this actually make a positive difference for them?” If it fits our mission, brings real value, and integrates seamlessly, it’s worth exploring. But trust matters just as much, so compliance and team readiness are always part of my checklist. Purposeful innovation, for me, means choosing what truly helps, not just what’s shiny and new.
How did your experience in program and product management shape your approach to leading operations at akaBot?
I’ve always believed real progress comes from bridging vision with action. My journey managing projects and products taught me the importance of balancing innovation with disciplined execution. Orchestrating teams at NashTech and One Mount Group helped me “align strategy with customer value and agility”—a mindset I now apply at akaBot. These lessons fuel my focus on building collaborative teams that adapt quickly and deliver real impact.
“I’ve always believed real progress comes from bridging vision with action.”
How do you align business strategy with the rapid pace of AI and automation?
It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of emerging technologies, but I believe strategy starts with people—understanding their challenges and ambitions. I see AI, IDP, and machine learning as catalysts for reimagining how we create value, but I always embed innovation into our roadmap, never losing sight of customer needs. By fostering agility, encouraging collaboration across teams, and building a culture of continuous learning, we make sure every advancement genuinely serves our clients. That’s how akaBot stays relevant, resilient, and ready for what’s next.
What’s your biggest operational lesson, and what advice would you share with aspiring leaders?
If there’s one truth I’ve found in operations, it’s this: “Rigid plans rarely survive, but agile teams thrive.” The most lasting impact comes from balancing bold innovation with disciplined execution, and above all, keeping the customer at the heart of every decision. Adaptability isn’t just an advantage in a fast-moving landscape— it’s essential. My advice to future leaders? Stay curious and open to new ideas, invest in learning, and build real team connections. Challenges will come, but those who lead with empathy, vision, and resilience will always find ways to turn complexity into opportunity—and shape operations that truly make a difference.
