You’re familiar with Retail inMotion’s culture and work environment (to refresh your memory, read this article), but have you ever wondered what’s it really like to work here?
The world of onboard retail is changing at a rapid pace, but luckily, our employees are well-equipped to deal with these challenges. We’re launching a new series called #ADayInTheLife, in which we ask RiM employees to tell us more about how they approach their work day, from managing their time, to work-life balance, to their hobbies. After all, what better way to showcase our workplace diversity than to get them to walk us through an average day?
In the first edition of the #ADayInTheLife series, Coca Pitzer, Head of Design & Agile Transformation at Retail inMotion, tells us about her average day.
| Name | Cristiane Pitzer (nickname: Coca) |
| Position | Head of Design & Agile Transformation at Retail inMotion |
| Location | Dublin, Ireland |
| Team size | 7 people + many people indirectly |
| Experience | 15 years of experience in Business Transformation, of which the last five years have been exclusive around Agile Transformation |
Describe your typical work day
My alarm goes off as early as 5:05am, and this is when I take a moment to define my success criteria for the day. I only need one success criterion, which, at the end of the day, I can look back at and feel proud for accomplishing it. As soon as I define what that success criterion is, I text my friend, an Agile Coach who lives in the US. This helps me stick to my goal and prioritize it.
While the house is still asleep, I listen to a webinar, podcast or audio book on Agile, Lean, Transforming Culture, People, Leadership, Technology, Design, and anything in between while emptying the dishwasher, preparing breakfast, packing the kids’ lunch boxes, folding the laundry, etc. I’m married with three kids (aged 11, 8 and 5), we have three pets (a dog and two cats), a carnivore plant, many other plants and a Tamagotchi.
By 7:00am, I’m already having my second cup of coffee while getting ready for work. I go for my third cup of coffee as soon as I arrive to the office.
My mission at Retail inMotion is to transform the way we work and think, so that we can deliver value faster and better to our clients and stakeholders, while making our people happier and more connected to our products.
I barely sit down at my desk. No day is the same but you will often find me in chats, meetings, sessions, 1:1s, etc. Every single day, I learn something that makes me more humble and less confident that I have the power to control a transformation journey.
What makes your job exciting?
My main challenge and highlight, at the same time, is to know that my work influences – in a conscious and effective way – a social system, a culture, people’s behaviors; and not necessarily manage or control the change process that the company is going through. Acknowledging our very own limitations AND the complexity of what’s happening around us is fundamental. I learned I need to be fully present, wherever I am; practice active listening, avoid multitasking, and quietly ask myself “how can I add value to this conversation?” or “how can I help this person better understand the problem in their own space, so they can act on it effectively?”
I usually have lunch at my desk. I use this time to catch up on my messages and emails, or read an interesting article.
By the end of the day, I manage to address the most urgent emails or Slack messages; but oftentimes, the thought of not being able to respond to everyone frustrates me. However, as soon as I realize what I accomplished (vs did not accomplish), how much change I was able to influence, I feel much better.
I leave the office around 6:30pm and walk back home. This time, there is no music, webinar or podcast. It’s just me and my thoughts.
When I get home, I spend some quality time with my kids, talk about how their day went, check their homework, cook dinner, and more. Once they are sound asleep, I talk to my family in Brazil, I chat with the Design & Agile communities, I organize the Worldwide Agile Beer events, prepare for my next talks at conferences and check in with my mentees (I have six mentees at the moment).
I’m actively trying to squeeze in some physical activity but even though I haven’t managed to be consistent, this year, I have done weightlifting, yoga, cycling and dancing. I guess I need a buddy for this, too!
