Text: Ludmila Duchová
Last September I returned to FINIDR. After 12 years I started back as a Customer Service Officer for the English/Dutch market. I soon discovered that there are some things you don’t forget, and although I’d only read books at most until recently, terms like HaT bands, endpapers and cover remained in my memory. On the other hand, it was necessary to brush up on knowledge and learn new techniques.
I had done this work in the past for 5 years before I went on maternity leave. The years passed, the children grew (the final number is 3), I got married and moved from Český Těšín to Návsí. When the children grew up and it was time to return, I was worried that the commute would be beyond my means. However, with time I realized that it might not be such a problem.
You may ask what the return was like. What’s changed? Was I surprised by anything?
Coming back was very pleasant for me. I got into a close-knit team that didn’t hesitate to welcome a new soul into their midst. From the very beginning I was met with help and helpfulness, and I am very grateful for that. The training is still ongoing and it’s great how it blends theory with practical on-the-job demonstrations. I must admit that I have not come across a similar training process anywhere and that is a shame. Because I think that only a person who knows the process can suggest the best solution for the client’s job.
After so many years, it is perhaps impossible that many changes have not taken place. FINIDR has expanded its production halls, new machines have been purchased, the interior has been renovated and much more. There have also been changes within SyteLine. No more laborious order entry. An order can be rolled over directly from the quotation that was sent to the client. Likewise, the configurator itself is a great help to prevent new colleagues from placing a technically unproducible order by using “whisperers”.
I was pleased to be able to meet again with colleagues with whom I have worked in the past. It’s a bit like I never left. It’s just that the years have taken a bit of a toll on us and we’re all a bit more experienced.
I was surprised to see that the “State of the Orders” report that was once born out of the quarterly goals is still being worked on within the company. It has certainly gone through many modifications over the years, but the basis has remained the same. It is pleasing to see that the work my colleague once put in with IT has paid off.
And why did I return “to the scene” to FINIDR? I can honestly say that I simply enjoy being part of the process at the end of which a book is produced. This work is meaningful to me. After all, a book is both joy and knowledge. We often buy books to give to others and make them happy. And that’s great.
If you’ve read this far, thank you for giving me your attention. I’m sure more could be written, but I wasn’t assigned to write a book. I hope that even after years of spending most of my time with my children at home, I will be able to make our collaboration a success.
