The KPI Institute (TKI) has announced the Employee of the Month (EOM) awardees for the second quarter of 2022.
The TKI People Awards series features the employees and teams recognized by The KPI Institute for going above and beyond expectations, excelling as team players, and creating a tremendous impact on the company.
In an interview, the recipients of the Employee of the Month award in April, May, and June shared their thoughts about the recognition, as well as their favorite accomplishments working at TKI. Learn how they conquer challenges at work, and be inspired as they break down three main lessons they have learned so far as professionals.
Employee of the Month: April
Natasya Susilyo
Administrative Assistant,
ILMS Division
- What does receiving the Employee of the Month award mean to you?
Natasya: I am very pleased to hear that everyone perceived my work helpful. I always try to tap my back and tell myself to give out my best in every task and project I do. I feel very encouraged by this recognition, and the EOM awards motivate me to improve myself. I hope I continue to prove myself worthy of this recognition.
- What is your favorite accomplishment so far at TKI?
Natasya: My favorite accomplishment is when everyone feels that I am helpful, and I get to fulfill the needs of our team. During my first two months at TKI, I received great feedback and recognition from the team for improving efficiently and creating a clear workflow for our new project, as well as establishing good communication for the guests. Most importantly, I learn new things when I work and collaborate with our research team. I find out what they need and already have and connect them with project goals. Another one is that I get to connect with global teams, experts, and authors and improve my way of thinking. For me, that’s a great accomplishment while working at TKI.
- When you are faced with a challenge at work, how do you find a solution?
Natasya: I usually take a moment for at least 5 to 10 minutes to see the bigger picture of a challenge. Then, I take some notes and create a little framework and to-do list on how it should be processed.
- What would be the three main career lessons that you have learned thus far?
Natasya: The main career lessons are to give your best in everything you do, look at the bigger picture, and take your time when facing challenges. Moreover, always ask your superiors for their thoughts on your performance to get you motivated and feedback that might help you improve!
Andra Rotar
Junior Management Consultant,
Research Division
- What does receiving the Employee of the Month award mean to you?
Andra: It [EOM award] was a great encouragement as I received it quite early in my collaboration with TKI.
- What is your favorite accomplishment so far at TKI?
Andra: My favorite accomplishment in TKI is being part of the team developing a Top 25 KPI report. It is the first project in which I was involved from the beginning until the last review. I believe the final result turned out nice in a way that is informative and helpful for the stakeholders of the targeted industry.
- When you are faced with a challenge at work, how do you find a solution?
Andra: I try to stay positive and assess my ability to respond to challenges. I do my best to find a suitable solution, which I try to discuss with a more experienced colleague and get their feedback and perspective.
- What would be the three main career lessons that you have learned thus far?
Andra: Three main career lessons I learned: (1) find a job that gives you meaning and enjoyment, (2) develop fruitful relations with your colleagues, and (3) together you will have greater achievements and you’ll have more fun. There are always new things to learn from everyone around you, from the new colleague that started last month to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with decades of experience. You have to be open-minded and always pay attention.
Alexandru Seliscan
Senior Graphic Designer
Biodigy Division
- What does receiving the Employee of the Month award mean to you?
Alexandru: Receiving this recognition means a welcomed acknowledgment for the work I was doing here.
- What is your favorite accomplishment so far at TKI?
Alexandru: The pinnacle of any graphic designer’s work is creating a brand book. I can add this to my accomplishments with designing the systems brand book, but I also really enjoyed working on the Performance Magazine, the 20th and 22nd issues, where I had more creative freedom.
- When you are faced with a challenge at work, how do you find a solution?
Alexandru: I discuss this [challenge at work] with my team and try to find the best solution to the given problem.
- What would be the three main career lessons that you have learned thus far?
Alexandru: The main career lessons I have learned so far are:
- Keep up the positive thinking. Think out of the box to find new solutions to any problem.
- To be a good leader means to listen to and understand the people you are working with if you want to have constant good results.
Employee of the Month: May
Mihai Malene
Account Manager,
Biodigy Division
- What does receiving the Employee of the Month award mean to you?
Mihai: It is an honor. I enjoy working with the team, and I believe everyone is an employee of the month.
- What is your favorite accomplishment so far at TKI?
Mihai: Becoming part of the team!
- When you are faced with a challenge at work, how do you find a solution?
Mihai: I propose a solution and ask my more experienced colleagues.
- What would be the three main career lessons that you have learned thus far?
Mihai: Ask, and then double-check; never assume! Teamwork is highly important. Knowledge is good, but the experience is better.
April Nombrefia
Head of Instructional Design,
ILMS Division
- What does receiving the Employee of the Month award mean to you?
Apri: I think this means that I was able to help my fellow instructional designers (ID) and colleagues with what they needed help with at work and that I exceeded expectations beyond my job description. I was not expecting it, to be honest.
- What is your favorite accomplishment so far at TKI?
April: So far, my favorite accomplishment at TKI is establishing a productive yet friendly working dynamic, not only with my ID team, but also with the cross-functional teams at ILMS and across TKI.
I believe that anyone can be a task manager, but establishing and being able to maintain a good working relationship with colleagues from different teams and entities in the TKI ecosystem is something I feel happy about, and it is worth celebrating.
- When you are faced with a challenge at work, how do you find a solution?
April: I usually try a triage of approaches: root-cause analysis, research, and “scenario-based trial and error.” Root-cause analysis is crucial. No matter how small the challenge is, identifying the problem or the source of the challenge is very important in finding the exact solution. Misdiagnosis can result in bigger issues.
Research is another of my first go-to solutions in problem-solving as information is always a good source. Research may not always provide solutions but it can give meaningful directions that can point me to the exact answer I am looking for.
I would also say “scenario-based trial and error.” I try to think of how my ideas would affect specific scenarios of the challenge and then work from there.
- What would be the three main career lessons that you have learned thus far?
April: I would say the effectiveness of communication, clarity of instructions or directions, and empathy. While it is not my first time working with multicultural teams, it is a different story when everything is remote, not to mention the difference in time zones. However, working with my team members and other colleagues made me realize I still have a lot to learn in these three aspects, so I’m very thankful to them for these lessons!
Cristina Craciun
Business Research Analysis,
Research Division
- What does receiving the Employee of the Month award mean to you?
Cristina: The employee of the Month is an excellent acknowledgment of the energy and focus of the employee, motivating for further achievements. It was a huge surprise to receive the award and a true honor. Thus, I want to thank my colleagues for their support and recognition. I am truly grateful!
- What is your favorite accomplishment so far at TKI?
Cristina: I can not talk of just a favorite one. I take small accomplishments and celebrate each of them. The practice of acknowledging even small achievements is my recipe for enjoying work and life. So far, it has been a great motivation.
- When you are faced with a challenge at work, how do you find a solution?
Cristina: Most of the time, challenges can become opportunities. But from my experience, that can only be done by switching perspectives. In my life and even at work, when I face a challenge or a problem, I step out of my box and look at the bigger picture. Almost all the time, this helicopter view gives me new perspectives and helps me keep my plans up-to-date. Whenever this does not work, I seek help from my colleagues as their fresh views can open new paths.
- What would be the three main career lessons that you have learned thus far?
Cristina: First, never stop learning. Second, have courage. Lastly, appreciate yourself and your coworkers.
Irene Rahardiani
Senior Educational Programs Specialist,
Educational Programs Division
- What does receiving the Employee of the Month award mean to you?
Irene: I feel honored and greatly appreciate receiving this acknowledgment and recognition of my work. However, I would not be at this point without the endless support of my team. So, through this opportunity, I would like to convey my sincere gratitude to Roxana Barb, Cezarina Ciochina, Khairunnisa Prayati, and Rim Marmar. Thank you so much, team! You are the best!
- What is your favorite accomplishment so far at TKI?
Irene: My favorite accomplishment at TKI is receiving this award and positive feedback from our course participants for my assistance during their learning experience with TKI.
- When you are faced with a challenge at work, how do you find a solution?
Irene: First, I tried to find a solution by myself through little research. When I am in a situation where I hit a dead end, I always ask my mentors, Roxana or Czarina, and seek advice.
- What would be the three main career lessons that you have learned thus far?
Irene: Good communication. A work environment with good communication makes us achieve the best result. It includes appreciation for every little help of our colleagues.
Be brave. There are many new things I learned from TKI, and as always, the big encouragement from Roxana makes me courageous to give it a try.
Great teamwork. According to George Shinn, “there is no such thing as a self-made man. You will reach your goals only with the help of others.”
Employee of the Month: June
Aida Manea
Business Research Analyst,
Research Division
- What does receiving the Employee of the Month award mean to you?
Aida: This is the first time I receive the EOM award. For me, it is an acknowledgment of the fact that I am doing something good around here. This nomination encourages team connection and fuels my ambition to shape a better version of myself at work.
- What is your favorite accomplishment so far at TKI?
Aida: The fact that I got the chance to hold meetings by myself with two of our audit clients. Moreover, I was recently assigned as the project manager for an Employee Performance Management Audit project.
- When you are faced with a challenge at work, how do you find a solution?
Aida: I always take time to get used to the situation and become comfortable with it. I tend to look over past projects to see if there is something that could help me. For me, previous experiences serve, most of the time, as aids. With each project I am involved in, I feel more confident handling issues. I always stick with some information or working method.
- What would be the three main career lessons that you have learned thus far?
Aida: So far, the three main career lessons I learned are: get a job you enjoy, always strive to become better, and be a team player.
Alina Zeres
Logistics Specialist,
Support Division
- What does receiving the Employee of the Month award mean to you?
Alina: This second EOM award I got represents a sign of appreciation that motivates me and makes me believe that my work brings value to everything I do.
- What is your favorite accomplishment so far at TKI?
Alina: My favorite accomplishment is seeing my colleagues happy with the support I offer in their project development.
- When you are faced with a challenge at work, how do you find a solution?
Alina: Logistics is a sector that brings challenges often but having more than 10 years of experience in logistics and business travel planning, I can always find the best solution.
- What would be the three main career lessons that you have learned thus far?
Alina: First, bring value to everything you do. Second, keep learning. Lastly, set objectives.
Abdallah Diab
Research Analyst for Personal Productivity,
ILMS Division
- What does receiving the Employee of the Month award mean to you?
Abdallah: To me, receiving the EOM award means appreciation of the hard work and effort I put into my work. It means acknowledgment from my colleagues, and I am truly humbled and grateful for this consideration.
- What is your favorite accomplishment so far at TKI?
Abdallah: My favorite accomplishment is learning a lot about the proper utilization of the project management tool— Asana and successfully creating projects that helped the team and our goals be organized, including the management in tracking teamwork progress by making everything simplified, structured, and accessible.
- When you are faced with a challenge at work, how do you find a solution?
Abdallah: Whenever I face a challenge, I seek help from my research colleagues or our Head of Research. Everyone is very kind and helpful. Our team culture truly deserves to be treasured because aside from receiving help is always available, it is promoted through fostering an environment where double-checking things and asking questions is constantly encouraged.
- What would be the three main career lessons that you have learned thus far?
Abdallah: The first career lesson I have learned extensively is how to conduct proper research. I can feel that my research skills have tremendously improved over these months of working here, and in the future, if I wish to pursue a Ph.D., the prospect of doing so seems a lot more doable and practical than before.
Second, I have gained some insights into how project management takes place and the dynamics of how a start-up works, and what sort of teams are required to bring the final product into materialization.
Lastly, I learned about the vitality of proper teamwork, communication and provision of feedback for one’s work, and the importance of taking in multiple opinions on a matter before reaching the finish line.
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