Will Work For Love: Gunnar Kämpgen, BookingDooH, Geneva
Gail Chiasson, North American Editor
Today we are launching the first of a new monthly feature about what it’s like to work at a company involved in the DOOH field from an employee’s point of view.
Gunnar Kämpgen is International Project Manager for BookingDooH at Neo Booking in Geneva. Having developed the platform from the early stages, he is now responsible for the international expansion of BookingDooH. It is his job to find network operators around the globe to become affiliate members of BookingDooH.
Here’s what he told us:
- Describe your personal work space.
- How do you get to work?
- What is an average day like?
- What is essential for you being able to work happily?
- How flexible are your working conditions?
- What do you think your employer looks for in its staff?
- What suggestions do you have for your company?
- Do you have any frustrations you would like to share with us?
- What do you like best about your job?
- How open is your company to new ideas and suggestions?
- How much responsibility have you been given?
- How green are you and your company?
A couple of weeks ago, BookingDooH moved into a new apartment-like office in the city center of Geneva. Together with my three colleagues, we are on the seventh floor in a building with an incredible view over Lake Geneva. The jewel of our cosy accommodation is the terrace on top of the building.
While everyone around me seems to prefer spending time in the Geneva typical inner-city traffic jam, I normally take my Dutch bike. After a ten minutes ride, I had my matinal exercise, got some fresh air and overtaken a lot of frustrated car drivers.
My Swiss way of life contains the following: Getting to work at about 8 am; while drinking a coffee and eating a delicious croissant, the working day commences mainly focusing on our European partners. At 12:30 pm, the obligatory lunch break of 1.5 hours starts – I normally spend it in one of the numerous excellent restaurants in downtown Geneva. The second part of the working day is mainly dedicated to our American partners who have woken up by that time. At 6 pm, the working day officially ends. Having worked out in the gym, the perfect day should end with a glass of French rosé in a nice bar at the lake.
In my point of view, harmony at the working place is the main factor for happiness. A peaceful environment and friendly colleagues who are just as passionate about what they are doing as I am are essential. It is also important to be able to talk honestly and openly about working issues with my colleagues.
Time-wise, I am always reachable for our partners between Australia and California. Official working time is fixed. Working-place-wise, there is nothing to say against a short session on our terrace. – Fortunately we have WiFi connection up there.
There exists a specific mentality at any Neo branch. I am convinced that my employer looks for open-minded and young professionals who adore the new media. Personal competencies are just as important as professional ones.
I would not mind if my company would open an office in Rio de Janeiro to take care of the Latin American market. I would definitely apply for a job over there.
It might seem strange, but considering my job at Neo Booking to be my first real working experience, I cannot complain at all regarding the working place, my colleagues or the job itself.
I am addicted to languages and cultures. Having studied International Business and Languages, I can continue with this passion on a daily basis. Being able to speak in different languages on a daily basis and getting to know different working habits from all around the world makes it worth getting up in the morning.
New media = new ideas. There will never be a day that Neo stops being open for new suggestions. It does not mean that all of them are being realized, but there is always a possibility to talk and discuss with colleagues.
Having worked in different parts of the Neo Media Group during the last year, I have now truly found the position I like the most. At Neo Booking, being a new start-up sub-company, each employee is being given a lot of responsibility, but also the possibility for self-fulfillment.
Every Monday morning, a box of fresh fruit is waiting for BookingDooH’s staff. Several plants make a pleasant oasis out of our office.
Business wise, just like all Digital companies, we prefer communicating virtually and digitally instead of printing a lot of useless paper: It’s a small contribution to the Rain Forests’ survival.
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