Don't stop working with desire

Introduce yourself in a few words..

My name is Iva Dimova and I manage the Bulgarian business of one of the largest marketing research companies in the world – Ipsos.

Tell us about the philosophy and values of the company you represent?

What we do in the company is to provide reliable information and in-depth analyses, so that our clients can make informed decisions and thus reduce the risk of mistakes.

The core values that the company and our over 20,000 employees worldwide uphold are integrity, curiosity, collaboration, entrepreneurial spirit, and client first.

We act ethically and transparently, adhering to the highest standards for quality in our industry. We focus on the needs of our clients and strive to provide them with the best solutions. We work in teams and collaborate to achieve our common goals in the most successful way. As researchers, it is important for us to be curious about the world around us and to ask the right questions, and our culture encourages every employee of the company to try various and innovative ideas.

How long have you been at the helm of the company? What are the most valuable lessons that the events of this period have taught you?

I have been at the helm of the company for ten years now, and my most valuable lesson is that people are the most important. This applies to the team members as well as to our clients, who also have their challenges and fight their battles.

If you personally had to write a job advertisement, how would you attract the attention of a future employee?

By focusing only on education and the specific professional path so far, we risk missing many suitable candidates who compensate for the lack of experience with an exceptional desire to learn and a willingness to invest energy in it. Besides advancing quickly, these people energize the entire team, which is why in our job advertisements, in addition to our formal expectations, there is always information about the company, about our culture, as our aim is to attract more motivated candidates who like our values and would feel good with us, thus, could unleash their full potential.

What does your company do to organize a constructive and beneficial work environment for everyone?

The company has a strong corporate culture, focusing on the balance between work quality and employee well-being. We understand that individual well-being is essential for the company's success, which is why our aim is to create an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and motivated. We encourage diversity and inclusion in the workplace because we believe that different perspectives and experiences enrich the team and help us provide better service for our clients.

We also invest in our employees by providing them with opportunities for training and career development. We encourage collaboration because we believe that teamwork is essential for achieving common goals. We strive for open communication between employees and management. This helps to build trust and resolve problems more effectively.

It is also important that our company is constantly looking for new ways to improve the work environment and create a more productive and engaging atmosphere for our employees. We believe that this is appreciated, and it is no coincidence that the company in Bulgaria is certified as Great Place to Work.

What work model does your company adhere to – office or remote?

Our company had a remote work policy even before the pandemic, but after 2020, of course, the opportunity for remote work increased. Currently, we adhere to a hybrid model, with our employees largely having the flexibility to work from home or from the office.

What do you think about the possibility of offering options for flexible working hours, within which employees have greater freedom to balance their personal and work commitments?

Our employees have had and utilized this option for years. We believe that flexible working hours give each of us more opportunities to balance our various responsibilities and commitments and, accordingly, contribute to our better mental health.

How do the ongoing technological changes worldwide affect your business?

The constant development of technologies is both a challenge and an opportunity for a company like ours, which, I dare say, we use this opportunity extremely successfully. Our company has been investing in artificial intelligence for years, as we have our own platform based on generative artificial intelligence, specifically designed for research. Ipsos Facto is designed to the highest security standards and is accessible to all employees of the company.

Here are some of the advantages of our platform, described by Ipsos Facto itself:

·       Faster results: Ipsos Facto automates many tasks, allowing Ipsos to provide survey results more quickly and effectively.

·       More in-depth analyses: Ipsos Facto can analyze large amounts of data and identify trends and patterns. This leads to more in-depth and valuable analyses for clients.

·       Improved quality of research: Ipsos Facto helps improve the quality of research by identifying errors in the data and providing more accurate and reliable information.

·       Innovative solutions: Ipsos Facto allows Ipsos to develop innovative solutions for market research that meet the specific needs of clients.

I would only add that Ipsos Facto is constantly evolving and improving, but it requires training and experience. That is why all employees of the company undergo training to work with the platform, and beyond the rational benefits, we see that its users are more motivated and can focus on tasks that add value for the client.

What is your career advice for all people who are building a strategy for their professional development?

Work! Start working at the first opportunity – whether the job will be part-time, seasonal, or an internship in some company, it doesn't matter. Work disciplines, teaches work ethics, provides social contacts, or simply teaches how to communicate with different people. If you are not valued, change your workplace, but do not stop working with desire and do not be afraid to invest energy in what you do.