Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.
Q: How does start-up life feels as you come from The Big Four?
It feels both the same and different at the same time, and I say this in a good way.
As a consultant you have the chance to be in contact with different people and different businesses, solving very interesting issues. This is a thing I really like and I am very happy that Bunnyshell has a complex product and a diverse client portfolio and I am able to still enjoy this aspect of my day-to-day activities.
The huge difference is that in a start-up you can be more involved in other strategic aspects of the business, you always have a clear overview of the roadmap, you have a front-row seat and you can watch ideas turn into plans and plans turn into awesome tangible products and features and you have a chance to contribute to all of this.
Q: For the last companies you've been at, take me through:
When you left, why did you leave?
Whenever I left my previous jobs I had in mind my professional development.
I worked in a Non-Bank Financial institution for a few years and that was the place where I discovered my two passions, project management, and technology.
The next step from there was to work in the largest - at that time - bank in Romania, where I got the chance to experience both by being part of an extremely large scale and amazing project of developing and implementing new software. That was the moment I actually met (and worked with) my former Big Four colleagues and I got to witness firsthand the life of a consultant and I knew it was a good fit for me at that time. I joined this Big Four company where I got the chance to work on very exciting projects, but after some time I added other criteria to my list of key elements that compose the ideal work environment: besides being able to follow my PM and technology passions, I also need a more ‘relaxed’ work environment, which for me is more productive.
When you joined Bunnyshell, why did you choose it?
It was a combination between an informed decision and instinct. My interviews were conducted by our VP of Engineering, who obviously knows our product very well and he accurately described the roadmap and product itself so it’s safe to say I had all the info I needed.
After our discussions, I gave it some thought and something clicked - it was clear to me that this company has an amazing future, a game-changing product, and an amazing team and I would be very lucky to be a part of it.
Q: Would you choose corporate life again? Why?
I’ll say “never say never”, but it’s not likely in the near future :) While corporate life definitely has some points in its favor, I feel I thrive more in a less (forced) formal environment.
Q: Where do you see the Bunnyshell product in 10 years? Or where would you want it to be?
I’m positive that in 10 years it will be where I (and all of us, for that matter) want it to be and where it deserves to be: on the top of this market. It’s only a matter of time until we will spread the word on how we can help companies release faster and even better and we are eager to help, so this surely is a recipe for success, for all parties involved.
Q: How is it to be a part of a team that grows so fast?
Bunnyshell has a driven, talented team and in the past months, we welcomed more colleagues that share our passion and culture. I’m grateful that I am able to be part of this and I feel I get to learn a lot of new things from my colleagues every day.
Q: What advice would you give to recent new hires?
Participate in every discussion you hear and ask every question you can think of. There are a lot of people extremely well trained and experienced in very diverse fields and no matter how much professional experience you have so far, it’s a guarantee that you can still learn a lot from them. And also share your knowledge with others, don’t keep it to yourself :) This is a recipe I applied so far and it looks like it’s working wonders.
Q: What attributes does someone need to have in order to be really successful in this position?
A Project Manager needs to be very well organized and should be able to always find a way to ‘make this work until the deadline’. Also, you should be able to send shamelessly and without any remorse, those annoying kind reminders to both clients and colleagues until the problem is solved.
Q: If given a chance, who would you like to be for a day?
I’ll avoid getting political right now, so I’ll say Dolly Parton - I would love to have a great voice and spend an entire day singing all my favorite songs without anyone complaining or covering their ears :))
Q: If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be?
I would love to have Jefferson Stevenson’s job for a day as Head of Engineering at SpaceX. It would be extremely arrogant of me to claim that I fully understand the concept of sending people to space and it would be amazing to have access to the kind of information that is not made publicly available.
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
Like most people, I also love to travel, go to as many new places as I can, interact with different people, and observe different cultures. Not sure if this counts as a hobby but I also love just laying on a beach, surrounded by palm trees, and enjoying a good book.
Another hobby, particularly enjoyed by my family and friends, is cooking, experimenting with new recipes, and also creating my own.