Name: Annie Browne
Job Title: Culture & Development (HR) Coordinator
How long have you worked with us? A little over 6 years
Tell us a little bit about your role please
All roads from a people perspective lead to the Culture & Development Department.
Whether its bringing candidates through our recruitment process, organising a culture event, facilitating staff training or hosting an exit interview – I’ll be knee deep in the middle of it!
No two days are the same. We try put a schedule in place, but issues invariably pop up when dealing with people – so we pause everything and work on that - but that’s all part of the job and it really makes the week fly. I have a great relationship with my Manager Mary, which makes my job so much easier and enjoyable. We both know our strengths and that brings great freedom for us to work on what we love.
I heard it once said that “Culture is how employee’s hearts and stomachs feel about Monday morning on a Sunday night” and I keep that in my mind every single day when making decisions that affect our team.
Give us the highlights tour of your career to date
My first job was when I was 11yrs old, working in a dog boarding kennel. I then moved to Bar work when in college (which I want my own kids to do when they are old enough, as you get such a huge education behind a bar!)
My first “proper” job was as a travel consultant, which was a fantastic opportunity at the time as I got to see so much of the world. After a brief stint in Australia, I returned and worked for a builder’s providers followed by a recruitment agency.
I never really felt I had found my real passion until 2009, when I started working for a Shannon based electronics company in their busy HR department. After 8 years there, I was made redundant, and the road led me to ActionPoint (now Viatel Technology Group) where I continue to ensure that my colleagues feel supported on all levels so they can be the best they can be at their job.
What do you love most about working with Viatel?
Our people – hands down.
It’s no secret that we spend so much time with the people we work with, be that virtually or in person. So, it’s a no brainer that we must cultivate those relationships to ensure we are happier at our job and in turn, more productive. These relationships of course go up and down, hot and cold, but you need to get them to a healthy level first, where you can then maintain them from – and I think we do a great job at that in Viatel.
Describe yourself in three words
Big feet, big heart, big fun.
Tell us something we don’t know about you
I’m an open book, so there’s probably very little that people don’t know about me at this stage!
I am a signwriting enthusiast, passionate champion for girls in sport and a dog breeder. When I’m not working I can most likely be found on the sideline of a pitch or Dolans Warehouse enjoying a gig with the ball and chain!
