Congratulations on winning this quarter’s core values champion!
How long have you worked at the company?
Almost a Year, I started in late January 2023.
What is your job title? In one sentence describe what your job entails.
Director of Operations: My job is to increase the quality & productivity of our processes & services by providing our staff with the proper guidance, tools & support.
What do you like doing outside of work?
I love playing, watching & analyzing soccer. I’m a bit of a geek for soccer tactics & statistics to the point that I’ve developed skills that I use for other areas of my life. Other than that, I’m a homebody & love being with family.
Are you currently binge-watching any shows?
Not currently, but I’m a big fan of breaking Bad & Game of Thrones (I know the ending was not good…). I also like to relax at night watching Friends or the Great British Bake-off with my wife.
What is your favorite song and why?
I don’t have a favorite song, or even a favorite genre. Depending on my mood and what I’m doing I could listen anything from Alternative techno & Rock to Jazz & Classic Piano.
What is one thing that not many people know about you?
I’m a Taeknowndo Black Belt 2nd dan.
What motivates you to get up and come to work?
A sense of responsibility with the people I work with and of what we do. FLPC & AW have direct impact in the food people in this country eats; we support hundreds of farmers and business owners; & we also provide life-changing opportunities to thousands of foreign families.
It is easy to forget the big picture of what we do, but it’s also easy to appreciate what we do once we remember.
What is the best career lesson you’ve learned so far?
Hard skills will get you a good job; soft skill will help you grow in your job.
This section contains a few questions that have been chosen specifically for you based on your nominations. Answer these questions in 1-3 sentences.
You were nominated for exemplifying the core value(s) of: Relationships and Hunger
How do you establish good relationships with others in the office?
It is crucial to treat colleagues with the respect & tolerance they deserve. I try to actively listen when co-workers talk, assist in their problems to the best of my abilities and show gratitude. Professional relationships are in a way like every other type of relationship – avoid drama and toxicity & embrace kindliness and positivity
What, in your opinion, are the key ingredients in guiding and maintaining successful business relationships?
- Open & Honest communication – So everyone has clarity of our goals & feel purpose in their job.
- Trust – Works both ways; if you mistrust your colleagues or reports, they won’t trust you back.
- Authenticity – Not expecting of others what you wouldn’t do yourself; lead by example & be yourself.
Tell me about a time when you had to be creative to solve a problem
In March 2022, AW was extremely understaffed, our personnel was new & untrained, and we had no defined processes. We needed to process 1000 workers in the next forty days & half of our clients were angry.
The solution:
– Outsourced three weeks’ worth of petitions to another processing agency, with the exception of our most important
clients.
– Used the following three weeks to define our process & hire staff.
– Rewarded our team with economic bonus for the extra hours they worked.
– Used this experience to define our metrics going forward & re-brand the “new AW” with our clients.
