Eva: From one side of the table to the other

What are you doing for BE-terna?

I am working as a financial consultant, which means that I am helping our customers with the finance module in their ERP systems. When I am not consulting, I help with supporting the finance module. Even though I am a consultant, I do not have any IT work or experience. One should normally think that to be able to work as a consultant in an IT organisation, you should need experience and skills within IT and coding– but this is not a must. I have been working here for 4 years, and I am very happy in my job role. 

How does a normal day look for you?

Oh, that is a difficult question to answer, because none of my days is the same. This is also one of the best things about my job, and it is always exciting work, because it is never the same. However, normally, my day is divided between meetings with customers and colleagues and working on customer projects. When I need to take a break or do something else, I work in the support part of the organisation, where I can help customers with small issues.  

What did you study and why? 

When I finished high school, I started to work in accounting. After a few years I wanted to become more skilled within finance – because I began to like it, so I chose to go to the university. Here I was the only one with previous work, which really was an advantage. When I ended my degree in finance, I went back to the financial branch. So yes, my studies have absolutely help me in getting to where I am today. 

What did you want to be when you were a kid?

When I was a kid, I wanted to be a writer or an actress. At first sight, it seems like something completely different from what I do today, but there are similar aspects. First of all, I think that in order to be a good consultant, you need to be very creative in relation to the way you solve the customers' issues. Moreover, I think that it is important that you are a good performer. With this statement, I mean that I think that in order to present and sell solutions, you need to be able to draw in your audience and persuade them into believing you. But I think that is very common in the industry –you must have a touch of entertainer to be a great consultant. 

How did you start working in the IT branch?

As mentioned before, I do not really work with hardcore IT and coding, even though I consult within IT systems. Before I got the job of consulting customers on ERP systems, I was on the other side of the table. However, I have always had the dream of being a consultant on ERP systems. So, after I had received support and help from Tydab (the later BE-terna Sweden) in my old job, I was asked to work for Tydab – and then I took the chance. I think that life is about trying new things and being open to new challenges all the time – otherwise, you do not evolve as a person. Nevertheless, I think the fact that I have tried to sit at the other side of the table, means that I actually know how to put myself in the customer’s place and then understand the customer’s real struggle. I also think that it is an important skill to have when you are consulting customers, because the customer gets less frustrated and feels more valuable.  

If you should choose three words to describe BE-terna, what should it be?

Competence, helpful and community. People here at BE-terna are SO competent. It is nice to know that there always is a specialised colleague who can help you. In regard to this, the colleague is also really helpful when you reach out to them. If you need help, all you have to do is ask. This is also the case with the more ‘stupid’ questions – no one judges you. This is something that I think is special with BE-terna. Lastly, ‘community’ is related to the two other words as well, due to the fact that almost everyone at BE-terna is very engaged in their own special field, and people are always ready to share their knowledge, but also their personal life with you. BE-terna is almost like a really large international family. Lastly, I think that being able to combine working in teams and private is really important to me, and this is something that I have found at BE-terna.