Max A.’s Post

We spend a good chunk of our day at work and with the people there, so in addition to income, shift, position & benefits, it’s equally important to weigh the pros & cons of the team dynamic. I started my new position & joined a new team at Reckitt 👏👏 I’m simotaniously really excited and looking forward to everything (including the team) while I struggle letting go of my current team. This is nothing new… same thing happens with each promotion or change but it’s still very real. In addition to being excited about the team, I know that I’m now a part of it, which means I’m equally responsible for the energy in the room (real, virtual & hypothetical). I will continue being intentional to impact in a positive way and be grateful for each team I’ve been a part of along the way. Seek out positions & teams that collaborate, push for growth, empower your strengths & positively impact the business AND your life outside of work! #reckitt #team #promotion #impact #collaborate #worklifebalance

A lesson in leadership from one of our founders. 💚

Job rotation – not only a way to find out about other business areas, but also a great way to regain energy and recharge battery. Here I would like to share my experience of Job Rotation for 6 months. Being People and Culture Business Partner in Digital Function, I had got an opportunity to step out of my main assignment and become a part of a project in IKEA FOOD. And I need to admit that this was one of the most gratifying moments in my career. I had changed the perspective, got an understanding of unfamiliar business area, met a lot of fantastic people, and managed to bring my Digital touch into project collaboration approach. But one of the effects that was quite unexpected, I had got a new inspiration and energy in my current job, that was starting to be not so exciting after 3 years. Working in such a great company as IKEA I have always known that I have a possibility of bringing my whole self to work and to be able to focus not only on my given assignment, but also to contribute to various projects, depending on my personal knowledge and interest. I also shifted my career few times and stepped into totally new areas with full company support. But the thing that I have gone through this time in my opinion can be a “game changer” for big organizations in terms of helping people to upskill, boost their career, support health and well-being and get a new energy and perspective in the current job.   I would like to thank my fantastic teams in Food and in Digital that made this possible. #jobrotation #healthandwellbeing  

I completed an incredible 14 years at PepsiCo today. These years went by in a breeze, and I'm super proud of what I have achieved. I am sharing a few lessons I learned in the last 20 years of my career journey. > Focus and consistency can make your idea come alive. > Stay focused and prioritize what's important and what's not. > You will not have all the answers and solutions to all the problems but you will find the right people who can give you the solutions or guide you so don't hesitate to ask for help. > Don't waste too much time on what others are doing rather build something which reflects your values and has your essence because no one can take that away from any founder. > When things go wrong or go slow, stay calm. Know that it's happening for a reason and you can only take the right decision and turn things around when you are in a calm state of mind. > Stay true to your purpose, Keep doing your work with 100% honesty and focus and no one can stop you from making a positive dent in the universe. > Celebrate small victories and aim for bigger ones. > Don't react but reflect.

Today I’m celebrating my 30th work anniversary at Nestlé. When looking at my career, people usually refer to my “humble beginnings”, which I’m very proud of. However, my Supply Chain journey didn’t start when I joined Nestlé at the age of 20, or even in my previous employer, a truck dealership. Coincidentally, my father was a truck driver for many years, and I was blessed with the opportunity to join him in unforgettable trips when I was a teenager. Loading, unloading, and even driving his truck (always the best part!) provided me with initial insights about the exciting world of logistics and its challenges. Besides that, I learned so many values from him, especially the importance of Integrity and Hard Work, that allowed me to grow at a very early stage of my life, personally and professionally. From joining this great company as an intern in a warehouse (memorable experiences doing case picking and driving forklifts!), to be leading today Supply Chain in one of its largest operations, was only possible thanks to all incredible teams and some amazing leaders that I had the privilege to work with, and I’m very grateful to them. Nevertheless, the person who has been always by my side during most of my tenure at Nestlé was my wife, Doris Vega. Being a Nestlé expat herself when we first met, she was the one motivating me to initiate my international career, even if that would sacrifice her own. Similarly, after doing her MBA at IE Business School, she also encouraged me to do the same, knowing that working as Head of Supply Chain and studying at that outstanding, yet demanding school, would limit significantly the time I could spent with our family, with a newborn. During the last 20 years, Doris has been always supporting and challenging me to become a better version of myself at every new assignment. True, 30 years is a very long time! When I regularly get the question “why do I stay that long in the same company” the answer is pretty much straightforward, since who would not like to work for the largest (and best) food & beverage company in the world, while continuously having opportunities for professional development and growth? Now, if asked how I got where I am today, the credit really goes to my dad & wife.

From Novice to Market Visionary, As I take a moment to look back on my incredible journey in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry, I can't help but feel immensely grateful for the opportunities, experiences, and growth it has brought into my life. When I first embarked on this journey, I was a fresh, raw individual, armed with the ability to articulate my thoughts but lacking the deep industry knowledge and insights that come with time and experience. It was a humbling beginning, filled with challenges and learning curves, but it was also the foundation upon which I built my career. Over the years, I've had the privilege of working with some of the most brilliant minds like Colgate-Palmolive (India) Ltd & Bombay Shaving Company in the FMCG sector. Through their mentorship and the countless hours spent immersing myself in market dynamics, I transformed into someone who can not only sense but anticipate market changes. I developed a vision that allows me to see opportunities where others might see obstacles. Today, I'm proud to say that I've reached a point in my career where I can work miracles in a short span of time. I've learned to leverage my experience, insights, and the incredible teams I've had the privilege of leading to drive remarkable results. #FMCG #CareerJourney #MarketVisionary #ProfessionalGrowth #ReflectingOnThePast #LookingToTheFuture

Embracing Challenges: A Motto That Shaped My Journey 🚀 "Challenge accepted" has been my guiding motto and purpose long before I stepped into the role of a Hot Wheels brand manager. Borrowed from Barney Stinson of "How I Met Your Mother," it perfectly encapsulates my approach to life and career. Discovering the power of purposefulness, I found no better way to define myself than by embracing challenges, rising to new heights, overcoming obstacles, and fostering personal and professional growth. One of the defining challenges in my career unfolded during my time as an intern in Unilever's Supply Planning Department. Initially tasked with developing a safety stock model, my journey took an unexpected turn. Within months, I found myself leading a cross-cultural and cross-functional project, interacting with directors at the EMEA level. The transition was daunting—I, who once believed I wasn't cut out for people-oriented roles, let alone leading and delegating tasks to senior levels, faced moments of fear and tears. Yet, with time, I discovered my ability to facilitate calls, manage tasks, lead projects, and deliver results punctually. I not only succeeded but, more importantly, began to relish the process. This transformative experience not only reshaped my career but also ignited a newfound passion for collaborative leadership. Cheers to challenges that transform us! 💪🌟 #CareerJourney #ChallengeAccepted #ProfessionalGrowth

Thought of sharing these delightful memories of my Career Progression at Starbucks. I must say, choosing Starbucks as a career was a turning point in my life where I learned plethora of life lessons and earned numerous people, success/achievements & recognitions/appreciation. Few learnings during this journey: Life's like a rollercoaster, choose to enjoy the ride than to scream. Love what you do and always strive for excellence. There's no shortcuts to success. Never step back to take risks. Make lots of mistakes but don't repeat them. Don't ever compare yourself with others. First of all, be a good human being. Keep a balance in all the highs and lows of life. Keep an open mindset and always prepare yourself to accept & discuss criticism. Most of all, TRUST YOURSELF!!!

Today is my two year anniversary at Sainsbury's and how quickly it’s flown by.    I had no experience of retail when I joined and it’s quite unlike anything I’ve ever worked in before. It might say retail on the tin - but I’m forever hopping into many different areas whether it’s tech to finance to logistics to campaigns for colleagues in store.    It’s a business where innovation isn’t actually a buzzword, it’s just everywhere, all the time. There’s no I can’t, it’s 'how can I do it'. It’s where we push, really push our colleagues and partners to be their best, to think outside the box. I say we work at pace all the time, but actually we do. There is always something happening, something going on and its just amazing. Its big on the outside but inside, its warm and friendly. People everywhere, no matter how senior they are always have time for you. It’s just different here.   It’s been two years of pushing boundaries and firmly being shoved out my comfort zone. I have fallen flat on my face many times and then had to pick myself up again at lightening speed. It’s a culture of fail fast, learn quickly and be supported along the way. The highs are just as important as the lows. I’ve got a great team around me and even been able to grow my own team. Working with so many colleagues across the business is incredible and being able to meet people across so many different areas has been eye-opening. I have been able to be at the forefront of so many exciting things and I’ve had opportunities to learn and develop that I’ve never had anywhere else.    There is so much more to come this year, and I can’t wait. There is much to do, and so much more to learn. Let’s go 🚀 #lifeatsainsburys 📷 image by linesbyloes of a person reframing the thought process of thinking 'I can't do it' to 'how can I do it' and you will find a way