A supportive and positive work environment makes a big impact to your career development, job satisfaction, and overall happiness. Having the employee resource group, Alstom Women of Excellence (AWE), has made all the difference for me. From the beginning, AWE made me feel like I was part of a community and truly belonged. That means a lot for a woman in a male-dominated workforce which can be isolating. My number of work friends increased exponentially and so did my confidence. You cannot perform your best unless you can bring your whole self to work, and AWE helps me embrace my whole self.

Be curious: Ask questions, seek feedback, and always be willing to learn. Curiosity is an essential ingredient to growth and development, and it will also help you to build meaningful relationships. Be adaptable: The world is changing at an unprecedented pace, and organizations must learn to adapt quickly. Embrace change, be flexible, and stay open-minded to new possibilities. Build relationships: Collaboration is key to success. Invest time and effort in building relationships with your colleagues, stakeholders, and customers. Take initiative: Don't be afraid to take on new challenges and responsibilities. Taking initiative shows your employer that you are proactive and eager to contribute. Foster a growth mindset: Embrace challenges, learn from mistakes, and celebrate successes. By developing a growth mindset, you will be better equipped to tackle challenges and achieve your goals. Remember, your success and the success of the organization are interconnected. By following these pieces of advice, you can help to create a thriving work environment that benefits everyone involved.

The Golden Rule is : Treat others how you want to be treated. I have always treated my suppliers with utmost respect. Even when they are not perfect. In my 25+ years of career in purchasing, I have learned that working together and making yourself available in order to achieve Alstom's goal is the winning formula. When things are not going well with my supplier, instead of being angry and demanding, I always ask "how can I help?" or "what can we do together in order to achieve X or Y ?" . This has worked every single time. It has opened the relationship with them and has done more than being angry. Suppliers are people and people will go the extra mile when you ask them to go that extra mile with you, not when they are being demanded to. That is my biggest advice for a buyer or potential candidate.