We’re also delighted to welcome a new colleague in February – Sabrina is joining the marketing team! So that you (and we too) can get to know her, we’ve asked her a few questions
Would you like to introduce yourself briefly?
My name is Sabrina, I’m 35 years old and I live in Pfaffenhofen. Over the last few years, I’ve worked for various companies and agencies across different sectors, and I’m now looking forward to supporting Julia and Lisa in the marketing department.
What do you get up to when you’re not in the office at Nepata with Julia and Lisa?
I think my main focus is my dog Fritzi – she seems to want to go for a walk 22 hours a day and is absolutely adorable. By the way, I talk far too much about her and am constantly showing photos without being asked. So my colleagues will just have to get used to that. I also draw and paint, play tennis in the summer and go snowboarding in the winter, go to metal and punk rock concerts, love a good sleep, I love whisky (exclusively Scottish single malts – I’m not open to debate on this), binge-watch (sometimes overly gory) TV series and films, and travel to cities all over Europe with my friends, including their top restaurants and bars.
What’s your impression of the company so far?
Although I’d already had some exposure to the signage industry, I didn’t really have a proper understanding of the sector until now. Thanks to the many lovely colleagues who tirelessly explain the differences and nuances of the various products to me, I’m finding my feet more and more. I’m particularly impressed by the extensive product range and the diverse business areas, which offer plenty of creative freedom and scope for exciting projects.
How would your perfect working day start?
Not too early, with a coffee and a butter pretzel during a short team meeting, discussing what outstanding work we achieved yesterday and what we’ll achieve that’s even more brilliant today.
Which cliché about the marketing department is actually true?
When I look at Julia and myself, the stereotype of ‘shaggy hair and a nose piercing’ springs to mind, as do creativity, a love of design and beautiful things, a certain degree of chaos in our heads and a strong urge to communicate.
How do you cope with stress at work?
I actually find a certain amount of time pressure quite fine, as it often boosts efficiency and productivity. However, when it gets too much for me, I’ve learnt over the last few years to let the relevant people know and/or ask for help. There’s always a reason why stress arises – the aim is then to resolve that problem.
What’s important to you when working with your colleagues?
Honesty and communication on an equal footing with everyone – regardless of age, department or professional experience. If that isn’t the case, it leads to resentment and misunderstandings; someone feels treated unfairly or not taken seriously. Working together then becomes extremely difficult or stops working altogether.
Do you have any unusual preferences when it comes to documentaries?
For reasons I can’t quite explain, I have a real soft spot for documentaries about gang and clan crime. To balance that out, though, I also really enjoy watching people emigrate.
Do you have an embarrassing nickname, and if so, please tell us all about it!
My husband often calls me ‘Dumbo’ because of my lack of fine motor skills and my clumsiness. I’m not exactly proud of it.
Are you a ‘get-up-straight-away’ sort or a ‘snooze-button-pusher’?
I hit the snooze button right up until the very last second. I can switch off the alarm and fall straight back into a deep sleep. It’s both a curse and a blessing.
What was the last good deed you did?
I collected donations in kind for an animal welfare organisation that looks after stray and shelter dogs in Romania. In the end, there was so much that I had to commandeer a second storage room in the basement, and the van far exceeded its maximum weight – it was stressful but also gave me quite a good feeling.
Are you more of a ‘learning by doing’ sort of person, or do you prefer the theory?
Especially when starting a new job, I do like to be given a lot of information to begin with and to click my way through websites, blogs, social media channels and existing materials. That way, I get a feel for the company, the brand(s) and the various departments. From then on, of course, it makes the most sense to get involved in projects and take the reins myself – so a healthy mix of both!
