Hanne Jesca Bax’s Post

Some time ago, my colleague Shana H. Houben and I were invited by EY to speak about how generations relate to each other in the workplace. Generations are just one lens through which to view society. These societal perspectives evolve along with our awareness and the progression of society. Other relevant lenses include growth versus a fixed mindset, the systems to which we belong, and nowadays, our values. Which values drive us as individuals? Lenses can overlap because people grow. How do differences influence performance? How can we identify growth lines that offer potential for both the individual and the organization? I encountered an organization happy to address differences smoothly and was willing to go through this process themselves. Each time we visited an EY office, there was room for a feedback loop. This allowed the involved team to grow over time, setting an example and coming across authentically. Additionally, they experienced firsthand how to harvest added value through differences. Greatful for the openness and joined journey. 

🎉 Celebrating 5 Years in PwC! 🎉 Today marks a significant milestone: 5 years since I embarked on this incredible journey. 🌟 🌐 Global Teamwork: For half of this journey, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with a diverse and talented global team. Across time zones and cultures, we’ve woven a tapestry of innovation and resilience. Together, we’ve turned challenges into opportunities and celebrated victories that span continents. 🌎 📚 Diverse Projects: These years have been a whirlwind of learning and growth. From launching cutting-edge products to streamlining processes, I’ve been fortunate to work on a wide array of projects. Each one has taught me something new, and I’ve relished the chance to dive into different domains. 🚀 🏆 Challenges and Achievements: The road hasn’t always been smooth. We’ve faced tight deadlines, intricate negotiations, and unexpected twists. But through it all, we’ve persevered. Our accomplishments, big and small, have shaped our success story. Whether it’s closing a major deal, implementing an efficiency-enhancing solution, or fostering a culture of collaboration, every milestone matters. 🌟 As I reflect on these 5 years, I’m grateful for the incredible colleagues and mentors who’ve been part of this journey and all of the support provided during a very difficult time in my life. Here’s to the next chapter. #5YearsInBusiness #GlobalTeamwork #diversity #Achievements #PwC #pwcproud #businessanalysis #projectmanager #projectmanagement

A great story about change and how to make it your superpower.

🌟 Coming Home to Purpose: My EY Story 🌟 Sometimes, the most impactful journeys are those that bring us full circle. My story with EY began in 2020, a time when the world seemed to be searching for solid ground. At EY, I found a community committed not just to excellence, but to something greater: building a better working world. In the collaborative spirit of EY, I grew more than I could have imagined—professionally and personally. The focus was always on how we, as individuals and as a collective, could contribute to the broader canvas of society. It was about nurturing potential, fostering inclusivity, and empowering each other to make a tangible difference. The path of growth took me away from EY for a brief period, where I explored new opportunities and gathered diverse experiences. Yet, the principles and values of EY—the heart of its people and the resonance of its purpose—stayed with me. As the chance to rejoin EY presented itself, it felt like a calling too strong to ignore. Coming back, I've been embraced by familiar faces and new ones alike, all united by a shared vision. The warmth and authenticity of this community have never been more apparent. Today, I stand with EY, more inspired than ever. Here, we're not just numbers or titles; we're architects of a better future. Our daily work is more than a job—it's a contribution to a world where every individual has the opportunity to thrive. This is what EY is about: people at the heart of progress, integrity as the cornerstone of our actions, and unity in our diversity. It's a place where each of us plays a part in a story much larger than ourselves. I'm grateful for every twist and turn that led me back to where I am today. If you're inspired by a vision of a world that works better for everyone, I'd love to hear from you. Let's connect, share our stories, and continue to build a better working world together. #EYPeople #BetterWorkingWorld #Leadership #Growth #Community

After a roller coaster ride, I’ve decided to part ways with PwC. Reflecting on my time as a management consultant, I realize how much this experience has shaped me. Consulting is no easy feat; it's a realm far different from product or program management that many aspire to. Inspired to learn and be part of M&A during strategy class in B-School, I found the real-world experience even more exhilarating. The concept of transaction to transformation was something I never heard of but found to be a brilliant idea—saving millions for clients and creating the right opportunities for them. The due diligence involved is high burnout but incredibly rewarding, uncovering synergies, costing, and whatnot. One of the highlights of my tenure was being introduced to GenAI and becoming a brand ambassador. Even though the stint was short, the experience was immensely enriching. The potential uses of GenAI in consulting are vast, and I’m proud to have been at the forefront of this innovation. Serving on the Staff Council was another proud achievement. Helping employees voice their concerns to leadership was a responsibility I took seriously, and I hope I made a meaningful impact in improving their experiences. Working on short-term projects with diverse teams has been a whirlwind—demanding yet profoundly educational. While not every interaction was smooth, these experiences have molded me into a more resilient and adaptable professional. Amidst the difficulties, I was fortunate to meet a few remarkable individuals who genuinely made a difference and left a lasting impact. As I move forward, I carry with me the lessons learned, the skills honed, and the memories made at PwC. Here’s to new beginnings and the exciting journey ahead! #Careerupdate #PwC #ManagementConsulting #M&A

Today is my last day working at EY, a wonderful company of wonderful people. After 20 years of working as a Partner in consulting, I am moving on to corporate retirement. Throughout these years, I've worked with fantastic EY teams, creative leaders, and visionaries. I've worked with over a hundred clients who shared their problems and placed their trust in me and my teams. It's impossible to thank everyone, so I won't list individual names. Thank you all for these wonderful years. I probably won't be original in starting my 2/3 project. It's easy to guess what it is. The first and second periods of life are about learning, gaining experience, and building a business. Now, I'm moving to the third stage, when it's time for change and sharing with others all that I've learned and built. This is the stage where, as a mature and conscious manager, I can offer myself to all those in need of advisory at the board level, advice on personal development or business development - a Partner in transforming the current business or building new, innovative technological solutions. I intend to continue lecturing at universities and will write another book. We live in a very interesting moment of technological changes, so I used GenAI to prepare an image summarizing my past and vision for the future in one image. I think Dall-e did a good job (a picture is worth a thousand words). Escher's style fits this very well. Metamorphosis through the eyes of artificial intelligence (but why are there pigeons in the future?). I feel that it's going to be interesting, and I certainly won't be bored. #ey #lastday #thankyou #friends #future

I can honestly say that I am satisfied in what I do, that I find some fulfillment in coming to work at BDO Digital USA. Have you thought about what it takes for you to be able to say that? Like many, I have taken a lot of training on leading, cultures, change management, some good and some bad. When I distill what makes a difference for me, some things that stand out are: Meaningful Impact As a practice leader, every day I work with companies that have somewhere they want to go, and I help them get there safely, protecting their business and their customers or unlocking new ways for them to compete. A Good Team In #consulting you don't get there alone. You get there by investing in people who are smart, focused, and passionate who share your values as a team and a company to surround customer problems and solve them. Grow People and Relationships As a practice leader, I am privileged to work with fantastic people like Jon Haines, Adam Sartor, Aaron Shea, Mark Raborn, Mary Beth Koch, Jasdeep Singh Parmar and so many others. I have the chance to share things with them - and to learn from their experiences, their thoughts, their successes, their failures too. A fabric is woven, with connections back and forth, that create a greater whole. Aligned Values I never have to ask if anyone on the team has another motive. Every project, we bring the same focus: do the right thing. 99% of the time, that's within the coloring lines. When we get outside the lines, we focus on the customer first THEN we fix the lines to make sure the customer and BDO achieve together. I've learned a lot with great companies like Avanade and Microsoft who in many ways shaped the professional I have become. As we enter the holiday season, think about what makes you successful, and moreover what matters for you to be happy. Be part of creating that environment, intentionally, with your relationships, your use of time, and the projects you take on and give back.

Reflecting on the path traveled and realizing what we've achieved so far, it's necessary to keep moving forward 💫 Thank you EY, for this incredible journey of growth and transformation. I'll keep learning and enjoying this process. The best is yet to come 🚀 🚀🚀 #neverstoplearning #buildingabetterworkingworld

New title, new adventures! I'm overjoyed to share the news of my promotion to Manager at PwC, unlocking new levels of growth and exciting adventures. Gratitude fills my heart for the invaluable support from PwC, shaping me into the professional I am today. Ready to conquer new challenges and create a lasting impact. Here's to the exciting journey ahead! #PwCProud #PwCAccelerationCentersinIndia #PwCPromotionDay

🎉 Celebrating One Year as a Management Consultant! 🎉 Reflecting on my journey, 3️⃣ key lessons have emerged: 1️⃣ I’ve learnt how to answer the toughest question facing Management Consultants…"What do you actually do?" My evolving response: “We help our clients introduce the correct processes, people and technology so they can solve complex problems and maximize innovation, sales and customer satisfaction.” Still a bit elusive, but it's a solid starting point! 2️⃣ I've learnt the importance of growing my own skill set. Embracing the wisdom of Cal Newport's book "So Good They Can't Ignore You," I've reshaped my view on what makes work enjoyable. Instead of the conventional advice "Follow your passion," Newport advocates for passion as a byproduct of mastery. PwC has been a fantastic enabler, emphasizing the continual expansion of my skill set. 3️⃣ I've learnt that business is rapidly adopting tech but at the end of the day it's still done by people. 🖥️🧑🤝🧑 Our clients are keen to adopt new technology, especially AI. Yet business is and will always be done by people for people. And it's the great people at PwC who have made my experience here an enjoyable one. I'm thankful for my time at PwC thus far and I'm looking forward to the learning and experience to come in the year ahead. #OneYearAnniversary #ManagementConsultingJourney #ProfessionalGrowth #TeamPwC 📚💼