Have respect for everyone, no matter where they are in the hierarchy

Introduce yourself in a few words.

My name is Ruja Bachekova-Akosta. I represent "Accenture Bulgaria" as the head of the "Insurance Policy Administration" department for the EMEA region.

Tell us about the philosophy and values of the company you are currently working for?

The company is well-known worldwide; we have over 800,000 employees and operate in over 200 locations. We provide professional services that help leading global firms modernize and optimize their operations, accelerate revenue growth, and improve services for their clients, creating tangible value with speed and scale. High technology is at the core of change today, and we are one of the world leaders in supporting this change, having unmatched experience in the industry, strong expertise, and global service capabilities.

How long have you been working at the current company? What are the main motivating factors that keep you there?

I have been working for "Accenture" for 4 years — after acquiring shared service centers in 4 locations around the world, serving a key American insurance company. What keeps me is the opportunity to continue doing what I love, namely working in the insurance field, where I have been gaining experience for 11 years. I am kept by the people I work with, the opportunities for career development, the constant accumulation of new knowledge and skills, and the dynamics of the work.

If you had to recommend the company to your acquaintances or friends, what would you share with them to attract their attention?

The environment in the company is extremely supportive and focused on attracting, developing, and retaining talent. There are challenges every day, but we have a strong network for interaction and mutual assistance both at an expert and personal level, so it is definitely a good place for anyone ready to face challenges and move forward.

What does your company do to organize a constructive and fruitful working environment for everyone? Should we be friends with our colleagues?

Part of the company's core values are the principles of inclusion, collaboration, and respect. We encourage open communication, support the professional development of employees, and provide flexible working conditions that help achieve a balance between personal and professional life.

Regarding relationships between colleagues — although friendship is not mandatory, building trust and a friendly atmosphere in the team is seen as part of the normal working environment and is inevitably an important factor for achieving high results. Last but not least, I would mention the numerous initiatives in which we participate as volunteers. Such activities for the benefit of society and in the name of a cause also bring people together.

Tell us a little more about your responsibilities in the company? What makes you enjoy going to work? How do you cope with difficult and stressful moments?

My responsibilities in the company are mainly related to communication with clients from the EMEA region on one hand, and on an internal level; besides working with colleagues from Bulgaria, I also work with teams based in the Philippines, India, and Malaysia. My main responsibility is to ensure stable operations and to propose and implement ideas for transformation towards more efficient business solutions.

What motivates me to enjoy going to work is the dynamic environment and my team — professionals with a vast array of knowledge and skills from whom I can learn and with whom we achieve successes together. Here I would also mention the good "taste" that remains — the client's trust in everything we do and offer. Trust built over the years, but stable and valuable. A colleague-friend (we already talked about friendships at work) compared managing client relationships to a dance. It is true! It doesn't always go smoothly, but we are in it together and, if there is trust, reciprocity, and respect, wonderful things happen!

In difficult and stressful moments, over time I have learned not to react emotionally. Rather, I approach analytically — I break the problem into parts, assess the importance of each, and prioritize accordingly. When necessary, I seek support from colleagues. This is also a great advantage of the company — because of the large network of specialists in various fields around the world. In fact, I recently had a similar situation that turned into a happy ending story.

What work model does your company adhere to — office or remote? What are the advantages in your specific case and position?

We mainly work on a hybrid model. I personally prefer to work from the office. Everything happens much faster, and live contact cannot be completely replaced. Sometimes, when there are meetings late in the day, I prefer to be at home to minimize the impact on my personal time. Overall, I really like the flexibility of the hybrid model, and it helps me balance work and personal time.

What have you managed to upgrade most seriously in your work over time in this company?

There is no deadline for upgrading — this is a continuous process. I have certainly learned a lot from the opportunities given to me both professionally and personally. Growth happens when we are outside of our comfort zone, so I am glad that I have challenges.

How important is hierarchy and what does it mean to you?

I personally have respect for absolutely everyone, regardless of their place in the company's hierarchy.

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

Define the direction, look around, and soberly assess where you stand and what you need to reach where you want to be, and learn — independently, through experience, with a mentor.