Figo is introducing
15.05.2019 / About Figo
Profile
Name: Carina Gerards
Age: 31
Position: Marketing Director
| creative | empathic | persitent |
WHAT ARE YOU CRAZY ABOUT?
Oh, for a lot of things. I am a person who is open for many things in life. I admire everything art related and this characteristic I can find in any and everything, to be honest (laughing). I get driven by small things, that have a bigger impact or are my source of inspiration. That can be in form of words, flowers, skies, nature in general, humans, materials, colours, tones and scents. I think you could just say that I am crazy about life.
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST DREAM?
A Rosamunde Pilcher movie. I know that might sound a little bit strange for many readers (and probably even for actors/ actresses), but I think that is my biggest dream.
These movies take place in very beautiful scenes and the stories are based on morals and ethics. The “bad” is always being exposed. And for example, the very own partner of someone finds the one true real love of his partner and brings them back together, because he knows that he will die soon. Somehow beautiful or not? (laughing)
I believe in love. That is the most important thing in life. To me, love is the only reason that makes life worth living.
If I can give a tip for a fulfilled life, it would be to love what you do on a daily basis. That wraps up everything that you are surrounded in: the people around you, your job, co-workers and friends, animals and even the cup that you drink out of. Of course, you still have to do things, that you don’t love, that is for sure. But the things, that you can choose, you should love and appreciate. The rest you have to do goal-driven until the end, learn and be open minded.
WHY DO YOU WORK FOR FIGO?
I came across Figo due to a fateful encounter. A very good childhood friend led me here and I am really happy about it.
DESCRIBE YOUR JOB OR YOUR TASK IN FOUR SENTENCES
As a marketing director you have to reflect the philosophy of the company and express it in every area that we communicate in. Marketing deals with many aspects, such as sales-related, personal, creative, strategic, economical or even legal. The good thing is, that you can work together with any one from the company. Teamwork is everything when it comes to marketing, because everyone has to represent the company the same way, use the corporate design and live up to the corporate identity.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN AT FIGO?
I have worked in eight different countries. The thing I have always liked the most about other countries is that they seem to have flat hierarchies compared to Germany. Figo on the other hand, has this flat hierarchy. Our supervisors are our bosses of course, but we call each other “du” and that since the very first day. We are allowed to state our minds, which is even requested. It doesn’t matter where someone comes from, how old he is, what he has done before or how many kids they have... you are just treated as a human being. Nobody jumps to any conclusion. That is quite pleasant. Matter of fact, I am just thinking of another difference to other companies. At Figo people joke. I think I have learnt here, that it’s okay to laugh in the office. It is important, not to take everything too seriously. Other many firms are different when it comes to that and combine laughing with being unproductive. It seems like, that some working places request having robots without programmed souls.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE AT FIGO GMBH COMPARED TO OTHER EMPLOYERS?
Trust is not a shallowness, it rather is a focus of know-how and readiness for work, interest in your job and the steady development in a positive direction. I think, at Figo there are many self-aware people, who want to progress. We move in a constant positive change – it doesn’t’ matter if in your private life or job.
DOING YOUR PhD AND WORKING FULLTIME – HOW DOES IT WORK?
WHAT DOES A DOCTORAL TITEL MEAN TO YOU?
Being a specialist in a specific area. I love to work freely and I also have diverse interests. At the same time, I like to control something or rather to understand completely. In my opinion, to dedicate to a subject completely and try to get it as a whole and of course to extend the knowledge of today, is what’s really behind the motivation to get a doctor’s degree. That way you give something back to the university and sciences. For many years we have been profiting and learning with the help of books and papers of other researcher at Uni. But if you manage to publish something on your own, if you go to congresses to pass your knowledge or if you write a book, you can make an academic contribution.
I have to say, that the different stages of my studies, have been the best decisions I have made in my life. I have worked first, then I started to study. Quitting my old job for that purpose, was the most liberating day of my life. Of course, a lot of daunting questions came to my mind like how to finance, where and how to live or even if I can manage it at all.
And even though my family and former boss tried to talk me out of it (with a well unlimited and safe position), I risked it all. And I can only recommend everyone to listen to their inner self.
Many people strive for safety. But that’s not the case to those who want to walk a new path. It is easy.
Every single person should trust their guts more and try not to hold it in, because it will only make you sick – or it will pop up again in your lifetime some day. If you work against your body, it will one day come back like a boomerang. The experiences that I have made at my job, are essential for my work ethics of today. They are the engine why it is important to fight for equality and to support individuality, to listen to your body, to support teamwork, to train younger co-workers, to refuse sexism. All of the things, I have experienced are flowing into my personal marketing. To me, everything that you experience has a meaning. You have to use everything you have learned for the right thing and you should not bury your head in the sand.
WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO CARE ABOUT ENOUGH BALANCE BETWEEN A DOCTORAL TITEL AND THE OFFICE LIFE?
It is right to have a balance. Because it doesn’t matter if it’s for work or a PhD, it means to sit and sit and sit and that highly concentrated. But I am a person that needs a lot of motion. Coming home after an average 10h-day, that I spent mostly while sitting, of course I have to truly motivate myself to get back up. Because everybody has to keep a house, cook, tide up and furthermore to just care for your private life. If family and friends show up at your door, your day is obviously going by fast. Even though it is a really nice thing, you should still be mindful to include movements while going to restaurants and movies. Of course, it’s easier to do that during summer compared to winter time, when you go to work and leave when it’s dark.
Gyms that are open 24/7 nowadays are the best solution to integrate sports into the life of people who work. Many times, you don’t really know when your day at work really ends. But I am someone who likes team sports and who doesn’t mind seeing the same faces, instead of working yourself out in the gym. I do ballet and salsa. I love martial arts, because you can burn off your energy. For relaxation and stretching but also for building up strength, I love yoga and meditation. Which is important when you do so much “working with your brain“, to just set your mind free. There are some moments, for example while dancing, where I fall in a flow-mood where I completely open up. Matter of fact, since we’re talking about it.... I have the same feeling while writing concepts or researching.
It’s always about liking the things you do. And my non-sports related balances are drawing, taking pictures and playing on the piano. Balance usually means to have other pillars in life, to have an equilibrium. When achieving goals, you still have to accept phases where it’s not divided into same pieces. Unfortunately, a day only has 24h and we only have limited years. And these are able to be used without harming others. That means, that there are some phases where the university or your job is taking your energy, but there are also days or weeks, where family, friends and partners need these extra-hours.
HOW IS FIGO GMBH SUPPORTING YOU WITH THE PURPOSE OF GETTING A DOCTORS TITLE, WORKING FULLTIME AND FOLLOWING THE DAY TO DAY LIFE?
Flexible working hours are an important factor. I can start to work at 6 am just as 10 pm. Right now, I am mostly working during the core times in the office, but I know that I can change it if it’s needed upon consultation. The focus lies on working trustworthy and on time.
I additionally do researches for the Figo GmbH. Some research related questions come up by the company itself but also by the area that we work in. Since there are many intersections, it makes it easier for me.
IS THERE ANY ADVISE YOU COULD GIVE TO YOUR COLLEAGUES? HOW DO YOU COMBINE DOING YOUR PhD AND YOUR PRIVATE LIFE WITH YOUR JOB?
There are three aspects, that make it happen: time management, organisation and communication.
Time management is the key. I carry a calendar in my purse, where I write down everything: to-do’s, birthdays, deadlines... just everything. I like to have a monthly view. That way I get a quick overview. Furthermore, I like to use a daily view with the tasks for that day. The days are just too short. I don’t have time to separate my calendar. Everything has to be in the same place. ‘Cause then it’s all about prioritising these tasks in the best way. My calendar usually looks really wild since forever, but that’s passion.
When it comes to organisation: It is very important to have everything ready to use that I need for my job. Many people ask me how I manage everything in one day. But I just try to use every gap as good as possible. Sometimes I do important calls in the car – with hands-free device. Of course, only those where I don’t have to take notes. Creative calls about designing or questions concerning the tasks can also be recorded like that. I can answer to Emails in every waiting room or on the train. I love to write articles in airports. I don’t have a problem working in a loud environment, since I can totally shut down if I am concentrated. But in case I get bothered, I just use headphones and listen to relaxing sounds. In the course of time, I developed my own technique to read textbooks or articles. That way I know even after time has passed what it was about with the help of short cuts and signs that I write on the side. That saves time. I also reduce my belongings. I learned for myself, that I am more productive If I own less and don’t get distracted by them. Today’s consumer society tells you what to own to get “happier”, “prettier”, “healthier” or “more successful” .... But I think the other way - even if I work in the area of marketing. A sustainable and well-thought out consume is definitely the better way. That doesn’t mean that choices are harder to make.
A good advice for “tiding up” your life and to surround yourself with things that give you a good feeling, is the book by Marie Kondo: „The life-changing magic of tiding up.“. Just donate the things that you don’t need any more or pass it to someone that would make him/her happy and could use it better.
Concerning communication: Speaking helps to save time and work. If tasks are divided and goals are defined clearly, everyone is helped.
Especially in your private life it is important to clarify in which stage you are in. That way family and friends know when you have more time or sometimes less.
But most important: You have to learn to enjoy your evening – even if not everything is done for that day. Birthdays of close friends or relatives don’t repeat. Then you shouldn’t answer your phone or emails.
There will be always work and always a next hurdle. But you only live once, and you don’t know what tomorrow brings.
Thank you for the chat, Carina!