Anda is truly one of a kind, and we couldn’t resist sitting down with her to dig into what sets her apart as an amazing professional. We had an insightful conversation about her unique approach to fostering a healthy work environment and why it holds such immense significance. It’s inspiring to see how she wholeheartedly embraces her now-famous tagline #viatabuna in all aspects of her work, including creating unforgettable customer experiences. Without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, we present to you: Anda!
Tell us a bit about yourself. What makes Anda tick in her personal time?
In my personal time, there are a few things that really make me tick and bring me joy. First and foremost, spending quality time with my kids is incredibly important to me. It’s a time when I can connect with them, nurture our bond, and create lasting memories together. Whether it’s engaging in fun activities, building with legos, drawing, reading or simply playing outside, being with my children truly lights me up.
Another thing that energizes me is learning. I have a deep curiosity for various subjects, and I’m constantly seeking opportunities to expand my knowledge. From reading books and articles to attending workshops or seminars or having specific conversations with other professionals, I find immense satisfaction in gaining new insights and broadening my horizons.
Makeup is also a passion of mine. I see it as a creative outlet where I can experiment with different looks. It’s a fun and artistic way for me to relax and indulge in self-care.
Additionally, catching up with close & dear friends is something I cherish. Whether it’s meeting for coffee, going for a walk, or having a heartfelt conversation over the phone, maintaining those connections brings me a sense of fulfillment and happiness.
Lastly, while relaxation is important, sometimes I find myself continuing ideas from work in my personal time. I’m genuinely passionate about what I do, and there are moments when inspiration strikes outside of the office. Whether it’s brainstorming new ideas, jotting down notes, or researching innovative approaches, I find satisfaction in exploring these concepts and fueling my professional growth.
All these activities bring me fulfillment, joy, and a sense of purpose in different aspects of my life.
What do you enjoy most in your day-to-day work?
The first thing that comes to mind is the dynamic nature of collaboration with my colleagues and customers. Building strong relationships and working closely with them allows me to understand their needs, align our engineering efforts, and deliver solutions that exceed expectations.
Another aspect I always found fulfilling is the opportunity to lead and shape talent. I take pride in mentoring and empowering engineers and managers over the years and helping them grow professionally and personally. Guiding their career development, providing support, and fostering a culture of continuous learning is immensely rewarding. Witnessing their achievements, seeing them thrive, and making a positive impact on their journey are some of the greatest joys of being in a leadership role.
Furthermore, I am motivated by the opportunity to drive continuous improvement within the engineering organization. By identifying areas for enhancement, implementing efficient processes, and leveraging emerging technologies, we can optimize productivity, quality, and overall performance. Pursuing excellence and pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve collectively energizes me and fuels my passion for engineering leadership.
These aspects not only allow me to contribute to the success of the organization but also provide a sense of fulfillment and personal growth.
Which AscentCore value speaks to you most and why?
I would say that all three are equally important and I related to all right from the start. If I were to choose only one, I would say “integrity” because it should be the cornerstone of any successful and ethical organization. It is a principle that speaks to the very essence of who we are (or should be) as individuals and as a company.
With integrity comes a sense of personal accountability and responsibility, which creates a positive work environment and enables better decision-making. When faced with complex choices, we can rely on our integrity as a compass to guide us in the right direction, to encourage us to consider the broader impact of our decisions, and make choices that align with our core values and principles.
What are the key factors of creating a healthy work environment?
I would say that creating a healthy work environment is an ongoing effort that requires continuous assessment, feedback, and adaptation. This process should also consider employees’ perspectives to create an environment that supports their overall well-being and enables them to thrive.
For me, key factors of creating a healthy work environment are:
- Clear communication: fostering open and transparent communication throughout the organization, encouraging effective communication channels, active listening, and constructive feedback. Clear communication helps prevent misunderstandings, resolves conflicts, and promotes a positive work atmosphere.
- Supportive leadership: simply put, cultivating a leadership style that supports and empowers employees. They value and recognize their team members’ contributions, provide constructive feedback, and promote a collaborative and inclusive culture.
- Work-Life balance: promote a healthy work-life balance by encouraging employees to prioritize their well-being, provide flexible schedules, and encourage employees to take breaks, utilize vacation time, and disconnect from work when necessary.
- Employee wellbeing: prioritize the physical and mental wellbeing of employees. Offer wellness programs, resources, and initiatives that support healthy lifestyles.
- Professional development: support employees’ professional growth by providing opportunities for learning and development: training programs, mentorship, technical communities, and resources that enhance employees’ skills and knowledge.
- Respect and inclusion: foster a culture of respect and inclusion where all employees feel valued, respected and included, and establish zero-tolerance policies for discrimination, harassment, and bullying
Describe your approach on creating the best customer experience you possibly can. What is your M.O.?
I’m not sure that I can define a M.O. as customers are very different in outsourcing and my approach is always tailored to each specific customer and needs. That being said there are a few principles I always follow:
- Clear communication: effective communication is crucial in IT outsourcing. Clearly understanding the customer’s requirements and expectations, as well as providing transparent updates, helps build trust and ensures alignment between both parties.
- Proactive problem-solving: anticipating and addressing potential issues before they arise is a proactive approach that can significantly enhance the customer experience and can make a difference in why they choose us instead of other companies in the market.
- Responsiveness and availability: timely responses to customer inquiries, concerns, and issues demonstrate a commitment to customer satisfaction.
- Collaboration and partnership: adopting a collaborative mindset and treating the customer as a valued partner can significantly improve the customer experience. Engaging in regular discussions, actively seeking feedback, and involving the customer in decision-making processes contribute to a sense of ownership and shared success.
- Deep understanding of customer’s business: by gaining a comprehensive understanding of their goals and challenges, you can tailor proposed solutions to meet their unique requirements.
- Long-term partnership: foster long-term relationships with your customers and strive to be a trusted partner rather than just a vendor. Continually demonstrate your value and commitment to their business.
It’s important to adapt these principles to the specific needs and expectations of your customers. Each customer and outsourcing engagement is unique, so customization and flexibility are key to delivering the best customer experience.
Your mantra is definitely #viatabuna. What are the secrets of making life at work fun?
Over the years I’ve realized more and more that life is as good as you make it. And a big percentage of this consists of how you choose to see things. Definitely, not all days are good, some are bad and some are better, both at work and at home. What makes the difference and gives me the energy to power through is my mindset and I choose to take things as they come, to see each situation as an opportunity to improve and be better next time.
Secrets to making life at work fun? I think it’s embracing the same attitude as in personal life, embracing humor, fostering a relaxed and enjoyable work environment, displaying enthusiasm, maintaining a positive attitude, and actively participating in team activities.
How do you balance work with personal life?
Definitely, my answer to this question would vary based on the stage in my life I’m in. I consider work-life balance an ongoing process that may require adjustments and flexibility throughout the years and It’s important to regularly evaluate and recalibrate priorities to ensure that I’m dedicating time and energy to both work and personal life. I think this is by far the most addressed topic in the Lean In Circle meetings and for good reason. I have an ongoing process of identifying priorities in both areas and allocating time accordingly. Another thing that was hard for me to do and implement in the beginning is to seek support when needed. I (eventually) learned that it’s ok to let others take off some of my load when needed 🙂 and to establish boundaries. Last but not least is taking care of my physical and mental wellbeing, taking breaks, and unplugging (truly).
AscentCore celebrates its 5-year anniversary this year. What are you most excited about for the years to come? Where do you see the company in another 5 years?
Looking ahead, I see AscentCore flourishing and thriving for the next five years. As the need for specialized IT services keeps growing and more businesses opt for outsourcing, we have a golden opportunity to expand our client base and offer even more comprehensive solutions. By tapping into the potential of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automation, we can drive innovation and pave the way for exciting possibilities. I’m thrilled to be part of this incredible journey and play my part in shaping the future.
