Zhang's story
Our Benefits
16
years at Signify
3
different business functions
3
countries lived in
30+
team mates inspired
Embrace the unexpected
R&D was never in Zhang’s career development plan, since she was happy in purchasing for 5+ years.It was her openness that paved the way for her journey to the R&D department. Zhang stated “My manager at the time actually said on our first meeting, ‘Zhang Chun, you know you would make a good R&D manager’. I was a bit shocked since it was the first time we met but he had me outline my skills and the job requirements to see if there would be a fit.”
Power is in the people
No workplace is without its challenges, and challenges aren’t necessarily bad, it’s how you go about them that makes the difference. For example, when she felt her team was working too hard, she pushed to get more people in to improve the work-life balance of those around her. Being a people-oriented manager Zhang always asks her team to be open and express their concerns.
A few tips on life
She advises new starters to “be open to new things, because even if you fail, you tried something new and gained new experiences, which is a great thing.”She also advocates for preparedness over opportunity-seeking. “I always tell my team that you don’t go out looking for opportunities, you prepare yourself as best you can, and opportunity will find you. Just be the best version of you and people will notice.”
