Meet Alexander | Advanced Digital Consultant
“I’ve always been interested in digitalization in my private life, I’ve read a lot about it, and I’ve always kept myself informed...”
Alexander Kirilov, digital consultant at diconium, prefers coming to the office instead of staying at home. Hardly surprising, given the view of the Elbe offered at the Hamburg location. It’s not just the visual benefits of this location’s redesign that bring Alex to the office, but also the people: “Here I meet colleagues, we chat and exchange ideas. You find common ground and points of contact that you wouldn’t find otherwise.” In our experts interview, he reveals why he would choose the Hamburg location again and again, where his interest in all things digital comes from, what he thinks of the Hybrid Workplace, and much more.
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Hi, Alexander, nice to meet you! Could you briefly introduce yourself?
Sure, I’m Alex and I’ve been working at diconium as a digital consultant for 1,5 years now. I focus primarily on Salesforce, currently as product owner. However, I am always happy to contribute to other projects as well. I am very interested in digital solutions, I like working on new technologies and creating innovative solutions. That’s what moves and motivates me.
Where would you say this interest comes from?
I’ve always been interested in digitalization in my private life, I’ve read a lot about it, and I’ve always kept myself informed. Over time, I’ve thought more and more about wanting to work in this environment. At my first employer, I was also involved in digital transformation and experienced it myself. I then became aware of diconium through a former colleague, followed what they were doing and then decided to switch.
Do you want to become a colleague of Alex at diconium? Take a look at our open positions! 💜🚀 IT & Digital Consulting / All vacancies
How would you describe the application process?
Very straightforward. I found it very pleasant because the interviews didn’t feel like interviews at all, but like nice conversations. I was working in Munich at the time and wanted to be really sure about the decision to move to Hamburg. But everything went really well, which made the decision easy for me.
I was impressed by the projects diconium was implementing, the work culture and values, and the available opportunities for further development given to each employee. After my interviews and having spoken to different people from diconium at different levels in the company, I was convinced I wanted to join and be part of the team. It was amazing for me to combine all my personal interests and be able to work on those topics every day!
“I was impressed by the projects diconium was implementing, the work culture and values, and the available opportunities for further development given to each employee.”
What do you like about the Hamburg location?
If I had to choose now from all the diconium locations, I would choose Hamburg again; the office here and the view is beautiful. We have very different areas for very different purposes: for collaborative work and lively exchange, individual work, or also working together in silence. What I found really cool; we as employees were asked what we actually wanted. There was a test phase and then they said, “Okay, here you go.” That was really cool and I don’t think every employer does that.
I guess that means you prefer coming into the office instead of working from home?
I try to come into the office as often as possible. Here I meet colleagues, we talk, and we exchange ideas. You find points of contact that you wouldn’t have found otherwise. And I really enjoy riding my bike to the office. It takes 30 minutes, but I ride along the Outer Alster, then the Inner Alster and briefly through the center, with hardly any cars in the vicinity. The route is perfect. Four days out of five I’m usually at the office.
How does a normal working day look like for you?
As a digital consultant there is no typical working day — it very much depends on the projects with the client or the tasks relevant at the moment. Normally when working on a project, the day starts with a daily call that includes the whole team. In this online meeting we discuss the latest status updates, any problems or blockers, and our progress towards a sprint goal. For the rest of the day, I focus on providing solutions or strategies related to the project, talk to the team and stakeholders, manage the backlog items, and plan the implementation of further product enhancements.
“As a digital consultant there is no typical working day — it very much depends on the projects with the client or the tasks relevant at the moment.”
It is also very important for me to find time during each week for learning, reading articles on a topic I am working on or scheduled trainings. In a world where everything is changing and evolving so quickly and especially in the digital area, keeping up with the latest trends, inventions and methods is of huge importance.
What is the most important skill needed in your job?
As a digital consultant it is very important to build the bridge between business and IT. We need to understand all business needs and the overall vision of a given product or project. Being proactive, communicating openly and honestly, having courage, and thinking analytically are very important skills in my daily work — not only for me, but for the whole team — as this is the only way to build trust and be able to deliver the desired solution.
“Being proactive, communicating openly and honestly, having courage, and thinking analytically are very important skills in my daily work…”
How do you and your team celebrate milestones?
I think although it is proven that working remotely is very efficient, the best way to celebrate a milestone is to meet in person whenever possible and do something together that will bind the team even more. If this is not possible, then an online coffee chat and a gaming session is always a good option.
Reflecting on your past projects, which one sticks out for you and why?
I would not say there is single project that sticks out, but more that working with a great team of people and then delivering the expected solution or project result always feels amazing. At diconium, I really enjoy the collaboration and the willingness to help from everyone — no matter the subject, team, or organization.
“At diconium, I really enjoy the collaboration and the willingness to help from everyone — no matter the subject, team, or organization.”
Imagine you really need to focus on one specific task. What do you do?
When I want to focus on a task, I like to have a clean desk, noise cancelling headphones with some relaxing music on, a timer with set time for completing the task, and if possible, all chats on “do not disturb”. This way I can mute all surrounding noises, people walking or talking in other meetings, or construction work happening in a building nearby and really focus on my work. It is a proven way for me to be highly productive.
The last two years turned our working life upside down. What have you learned about your preferred way of working since then?
For me, the last years were more a very strong confirmation that remote working in our field of work is possible and does not in any way reflect on the performance — if anything it enhances it. As I said, I love going to the office in Hamburg where I meet colleagues, but I also like to have my freedom to stay at home whenever I want to or work from another diconium office. I really appreciate how quickly diconium has adapted and introduced the hybrid workplace which proves once again that working remotely is possible from everywhere within the European Union for a specific amount of time.
“I really appreciate how quickly diconium has adapted and introduced the hybrid workplace which proves once again that working remotely is possible from everywhere within the European Union for a specific amount of time.”
Have you tried this yourself? Working from abroad?
Yes! I was in Bulgaria, where I originally come from. Not my hometown Sofia, but somewhere else. When booking an AirBnB or hotel, you have to make sure that you have a good internet connection, but then it works. I love travelling in general.
Any other hobbies you would like to mention?
When I have some free time, I like to get on my bike and go to new places, for example in the vicinity of Hamburg. Through diconium I now also have a company bike, which I use to discover new places and things.
Do you want to become a colleague of Alex at diconium? Take a look at our open positions! 💜🚀 IT & Digital Consulting / All vacancies
What advice would you give a new starter at diconium?
Be open, relax, come to the office from time to time and meet people there from other projects as well. Never be afraid to ask — we have great people, and they are all willing to collaborate and learn more. Join events, activities, or communities we have at diconium — it is a great way to meet even more people.
Looking at our values: What are the ingredients for successful #collaboration?
Successful collaboration depends on very good communication, being proactive and being able to listen with the purpose to understand rather than to respond quickly. Having fun working with others and learning every day are essential as well!
“Having fun working with others and learning every day are essential as well!”
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