We have interviewed Continuous Improvement Consultant Daniel Grau at InfoJobs in Spain.
Why do you work at InfoJobs and what is it like?
Because after all these years, InfoJobs is still such an exciting and funny place to work! The company does good things for the Spanish society, there’s respect for people, my colleagues are absolutely talented and we’re always keen to take on new challenges.
I help with process improvement, strategy and problem solving, among other things. This implies some analysis, but also teaching, coaching, facilitating meetings and workshops. In short: We’re opening up a lot of minds.
Here I am teaching my colleagues about lean in a training session. We try to mix theory with practice using games. This is one part of my job that I enjoy the most.
Which part of your job do you enjoy the most?
The best part of my job is to teach people, helping them and making them happier. Every evidence of having contributed to people’s lives becoming a little easier is a victory.
One of the funniest moments I’ve experienced at InfoJobs: a team of four workers (including me) organized the company Christmas Gathering in 2011. We arranged an activity to ‘warm up’ people consisting of a Humans vs. Zombies Survival Game. Sadly, the humans lasted no more than 40 minutes!
Tell us about a challenge (positive or negative) you have overcome either in your job or private life and how you did it.
Every day is full of challenges! But I think that the biggest one for anybody is to raise your children. It’s a powerful and enriching experience. As you teach them, you learn with and from them. I simply cannot tell you how I’ve managed to do it because it’s a continuous work in progress!
With my family in one of our weekend trips. We enjoy being in nature.
What do you do when you’re not working?
I love walking in the forest picking mushrooms with my wife and two sons. We do it almost every weekend throughout the year, be it winter, spring, summer or autumn. I also like listening to music and reading.
To the left my kids are celebrating the results of a successful day: a basket full of mushroom!
To the right is a picture of us taken on a holiday two years ago.
This is from our family holiday last summer in London.
Do you have any hidden talents?
Besides my forest walks, I know lots of mushroom species, both edible and poisonous. If you like forests, I can show you some fantastic places here in Catalonia that are just one hour by car from Barcelona. Or, if you prefer, we can talk about music, especially progressive rock, and I can recommend some fantastic bands from the 60s, 70s and onwards. In Scandinavia, for example, you have great bands that are world class!
Tips for others who would like to work at InfoJobs?
Be passionate, open-minded, proactive and brave. Today, the market is constantly changing, so there’s a lot of uncertainty and companies must get used to moving through this dynamic scenario: this means that we all must adapt and reinvent from time to time (sooner than later).
And don’t be afraid to ask or give your opinion freely to anyone, whether it’s a team mate or the CEO. Last but not least, share and celebrate success. We love to celebrate!