PaymentGenes’ Post

From Portugal to the world ✈🌎 A week ago, I had the incredible opportunity to take part in one of the biggest events in the floor covering, stone and tile industry, TISE - The International Surface Event, in Las Vegas. It was definitely a truly exciting and enriching experience that left me inspired and full of new perspectives. One of the things that impressed me the most was the cultural diversity represented at the event, being my first time in the United States, I felt what they call "culture shock". I was able to interact with professionals from all over the world, share experiences and learn unique approaches to the sector's challenges. It was certainly a valuable experience for our company, which is present all over the world, but especially in the United States. As a Marketeer, it was crucial to understand the unique dynamics of this country, from different approaches to particular forms of communication. Observing the cultural differences was an enriching experience for improving our strategy and presence in the North American markets. In a short sentence I can say that: TISE was more than an event. It was a priceless experience.

I still remember that day in Madrid back in 2011 when I decided, after a very long night out with my best friend, to make my favorite tattoo : the word “passion” on my inside right wrist. ❣️This is my mantra : no passion, no life.❣️ Find that job that makes you leap out of bed with a smile every single day… this could be rare, could look impossible but the hardest things are the most beautiful ones. I read somewhere on internet about tips to help you along this never ending journey: ▶️ Think about what energizes you: Do you love a challenge? Helping others? Working with animals? Figuring out what gets you going is a great first step. ▶️ Consider your skills: Are you a great communicator? Analytical? Creative? Identifying your strengths can help you find a job that lets you shine. ▶️ Explore your values: Is making a difference in the world important to you? Do you crave stability? Understanding your values can help you find a job that aligns with what matters to you. * Talk to people: Chat with people in different professions to learn about their day-to-day work. * Volunteer or intern: Get some hands-on experience to see if a field is a good fit. * Don't be afraid to pivot: It's okay if your dream job changes over time. Embrace the journey! The perfect job might not exist, but there's definitely one out there that will make you feel excited and fulfilled. 🌎A job you won’t need a vacation from.🌎

🏃♂️ The first three months at a job- a sprint or the honeymoon-walk? I recently finished my first three months at Soneva in my new role where I have an opportunity to contribute towards the brand's environmental and social responsibility initiatives. As I sat down with my journal to reflect on this short period with this new challenge, two endurance race metaphors stuck with me: 🏁 21 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡: something which comes from Soneva's success recipe- fast enough to stay ahead but slow enough to sustain. 🚶♂️ 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧'𝐭 𝐫𝐮𝐧: There is the right time for everything- if you want to go far, choose your energy investments carefully. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐈 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐦𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧? 🐃 In contrast to my previous way of working, I noticed that I was much calmer and observant of the happenings around me. While being naive and stubborn has helped me push through and brought success to me in the past, it doesn't work anymore- in modern working environments, there is a greater need to find a balance between communicating your passion, being assertive to drive action and giving your team the time they need to buy into your ideas. 🚧 I noticed that there are things about my current job which I don't enjoy. They do not fit my current energy and skills. There are ways to adjust my focus and energy to where I thrive, what I want to learn and align with the team for what others might be able to help with. 🧘♂️ I learnt to 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒖𝒎𝒆 about everyone. This helped me be kind to myself and give everyone the time they needed to build a true opinion about me. For that, I need to be true to myself so the opinions they build about myself remain true for a long time. Do you relate to any of it? Or do you have your learnings to share? PS: Photo from our energiser sports day

"𝗜 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀" A few years ago, I was invited to speak at an internal event where I shared insights with early-career professionals about the importance of building your internal and industry-wide network and brand. One moment that really stood out was a conversation around 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆. The room felt tense when discussing how what you do outside of work can affect your professional image. I saw their concern — 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗷𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲𝗱. When it was my turn to speak, I decided to break the ice with an honest confession… 𝗜 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀! Why? Because... ▪️ Being professional doesn’t mean you can’t have fun, whether you’re in the office or out with friends. ▪️ The teams I’ve enjoyed working with the most—where I felt the most open, honest, and productive—are the ones I had the most fun with. And many of those colleagues are still friends today. ▪️ 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝘂𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘀. And, of course, it’s a must for après-ski in Europe! ⛷️ Photo from Les Deux Alpes—because you can never have too much Lux-branded merch, right?

I always knew I was destined for something big, but I had no idea what it would be! In October 2010, I left everything behind. I packed up my belongings and moved from Spain 🇪🇸 to France 🇫🇷, ready for a completely new chapter. It started with a lot of pain: 😕 I was totally alone in a foreign country, dealing with two major losses. Life throws curveballs when you least expect them. 🤏 My French was very basic; I couldn't even handle simple conversations. I had never relied that much on gestures to communicate! 🎡 Despite having a degree in Communication and Broadcasting, my first job was as a Cleaning Agent at Disneyland Paris. Totally unrelated. When I told people about my big dreams, they laughed. Today, I can proudly say things have changed a lot! 🗽 I’m surrounded by wonderful people and I can visit my country whenever I want. I call it Freedom. 🌍 I can handle any situation in several languages, even the most complicated ones. My accent is no longer an issue. 🎯 I’ve added value to eight international companies and learned a bunch of skills that have brought me to where I’m supposed to be. If I had to highlight the key element that led to my success, it’s no doubt my 𝗔𝗺𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. Here’s my little piece of advice, just in case you need it today: 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳. Your ambition, with a bit of perseverance, will help you reach your goals and make your dreams come true. Even if you don’t have a clue about what those dreams are right now 🙃 --- I'm Fani, and as you have understood, I love transformation! Give me a sign if you want to reach your Revenue goals by transforming your Sales team 🚀 This week I'm participating in Nina Ramen 🍓 & RamenTaFraise challenge #JeRamenMaFraise

In my continuing quest to reduce my fear of heights and become more open to new physical things, I zip-lined in Costa Rica. Luckily, the guides were brilliant, and they started with smaller segments- to build our confidence. At first, I was terrified, but I knew it was critical to tackle unfounded fears and embrace new experiences. I also had to control my first inclination, which was to hold on tight to the lines because that would cause a dead stop, meaning I would have to pull myself in and have more time to look down. But over time, it became easier and fun, and I relaxed. By the last segment, I had done a solo no-hand approach. Why was it crucial to stretch myself? By trying new things, I know we begin to conquer the inner voices that tell us certain things are impossible. It makes it easier for us to conquer those saboteurs in other settings—such as our career and business development. Our voices go from I won’t or I can’t to I can and will. And then, we accomplish more of what we want and have more of the life and career we want. What are some ways you have stretched yourselves? What are you doing to stretch yourselves this year?  

𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆: 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗥𝗲𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗝𝗼𝗯 Growing up in Quito 🇪🇨, I was obsessed with sports and I knew I wanted to make a career out of it. But, as you may know, the sports industry is highly competitive, and it's not always easy to break in. At 18, I applied for a scholarship to study a Bachelor’s in Sports Management in the US. I didn't get it. I had to go back to the drawing board and figure out what the hell I'd do next. But I didn't let that setback discourage me. After graduating my Finance major, trying out the corporate thing for a while (which, needless to say, wasn't for me), and getting rejected a bunch of times, I eventually landed a job at Kin Analytics, which introduced me to the wonderful world of sports innovation. This was one of the biggest blessings for my career. It motivated me to stay true to my long-term goal of helping drive change in Sports and Fitness through Digital. So, 3 years ago, I decided to move to Valencia 🇪🇸 to pursue a Master's degree in Sports Management and Digital Transformation of Sports Entities. While I was studying, preparation met opportunity when I came across a role as PM at N3XT SPORTS. I was afraid I would get rejected (again) because I was still studying and not available for a full-time job. But I applied anyway. And I'm so glad I did. Fast forward to today, I'm working with top sports organizations, helping them navigate the complex world of digital transformation alongside some of the most talented people I’ve had the pleasure to meet. It's been a rollercoaster so far, but I've learned so much along the way: • Paraphrasing Ryan Holiday, rejection is not the obstacle, it’s the way. Every rejection gives you valuable feedback and opportunities to learn and grow. • Determination and a positive attitude will make you stand out as much as your academic achievements (if not more). • Following your interests and passions, while genuinely helping others solve their problems will open doors you never thought were possible (and introduce you to some of the coolest people you’ll ever meet). The list goes on. But let’s leave it at that for today. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁: I'm excited to continue sharing my stories and insights with you, and I hope they can offer you some value on your journey. Stay tuned for more updates, and let's connect to continue the conversation!

Hello everyone! Wanted to share a bit about the wild, weird, and wonderful turns my life's taken. It's been a ride full of "what ifs" and "why nots," and I hope it inspires someone out there. First leap at 16 🚀: Picture this - a kid who barely knew English saying "Yes!" to an acting school in England. Crazy? Maybe. But it was my first taste of the unknown. And guess what? A few months later, I was writing English essays and acting out Shakespeare like a pro. Scary but so, so thrilling. Back to Russia, then off to Prague 🌍: Just when I thought I'd continue acting in Russia, life threw a new opportunity. Next thing I knew, I was in Prague, learning Photography and Marketing. Totally out of my comfort zone? Absolutely. But it was exciting. Spain, COVID, and a Social Media Journey 🇪🇸: Spain was next – I was all set for hospitality studies. Then COVID hit. Plans changed overnight, and I found myself studying social media marketing and content creation. Finding myself in Paris: Ah, Paris. This city changed everything. Finished my masters here, worked with some cool brands and influencers, and got my dream internship at L'Oréal. Paris was where I figured out a bit more about who I am and what I want. What's Next? So, here I am. Not scared anymore, just excited to see where this journey goes. I've got plans, dreams, and a whole lot of curiosity for what's next. To anyone out there wondering if they should take that leap – do it. Your story's waiting to be written, and it's gonna be a good one. #journey #neverstopexploring #socialmediamarketing #personalstory

How ironic it is to be a social media manager and still neglect posting here and other personal accounts. 🙂↔️ SMMs have a unique job where their work is visible and scrutinized by everyone in the company, from interns to top administrators, all of whom often have very vocal opinions about its quality. It’s a one-of-a-kind position. With all eyes on us, we have the opportunity to not only master the art of detail but also stay ahead by constantly embracing innovation. 💪 On that note, for me, innovation leads to growth, so here I am finally taking a moment to post again, and share a new milestone in my career: 📍 As 𝐈’𝐦 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐲 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐭 Ágora - Cultura e Desporto do Porto, I am filled with a sense of achievement and gratitude for the incredible journey we've had. After almost four years, first as part of the Performative Arts Direction at Teatro Municipal do Porto, and later in the company’s Communications and Image Direction, it was truly something. From launching a podcast, a newsletter, and new communications and marketing initiatives; being a helping hand in Agenda Porto; boosting Instagram with +26k followers, LinkedIn with 4k, and Youtube with +900 subs, in ½ years; to being part of Portos' major cultural events, as well as international sports tournaments, and specific community-focused programs; enhancing Ágora’s website usability and its CMS; these are just few examples from a wide range of projects I managed and contributed to—each playing an awesome role in my career growth and allowing me to bring new skills and ideas into action on my own. Leaving Ágora feels bittersweet. While I am excited about what lies ahead, I'll cherish the memories and accomplishments we've shared. The mission at Ágora is ever-growing, ever-changing, and ever-challenging, and I am sure it will continue to thrive. Whether you are in Porto or elsewhere, I encourage you to stay connected with Ágora and support its wonderful work for the city and its people. 🌊 Time to take a break, enjoy, and let the process flow. 

🎢A rollercoaster of emotions at GORM HQ this week: Chief Operating Officer Beatriz Gómez Moreno: These past few weeks in Ireland have been fantastic (who would have thought?), as I finally got to meet in person so many people I've been in touch with online for years. Meeting face-to-face has shown me how valuable and enjoyable real interactions are, making my time in Dublin even more special 🇮🇪 Communications Intern Lorna Kaufmann: Been trying to implement the saying "slow but steady wins the race" this week. There's no point in rushing if it's going to impact quality 🐢 Digital Marketing and Communications Executive Eilís Walsh: "I'm feeling inspired and grateful this week - I am amazed by the really talented people I come into contact with through my role, building my network at home in Ireland and abroad. The jigsaw pieces are slowly coming together for me in ways so I am choosing to be grateful this week."🧩 The Wideshot Programme Coordinator Ayesha Syeddah: "A company’s culture doesn’t exist without its people - own the responsibility of defining it for the betterment of everyone around you, including yourself." 🗣 #WeeklyRecap #LearningAndGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #SocialEnterprise #TeamWellbeing #WorkCulture #Ireland #TeamSkills #DiversityInclusion #InterculturalManagement #InternationalTeam