Ezgi Barcenas’ Post

This past year has been one laced with growth. It's been one year since I joined Pernod Ricard and certainly, the first couple of months came with a potpourri of emotions: moving from settling into my new role to self-doubt, from pushing myself to eventually getting a hang of the demands of the role. Joining at a time when the organisation was going through a series of transformations, it appeared my teething phase lingered longer than I'd anticipated. Struggling to find my rhythm meant I occasionally doubted my abilities and contemplated throwing in the towel a couple of times. To get past this stage, two things worked for me. Firstly, in my subconscious, I was convinced that if I could endure, be consistent, push myself, and not give up, I'd come out stronger. Lastly, I had the support and cheering of those that mattered the most; my family and colleagues. Munirat Yahaya was that one person who kept believing in me. In fact, she opened my mind to cracking what I had thought impossible, and this was the beginning of me getting my groove back. I also enjoyed the immense support of my line manager - thank you, Bode Omosagba, for seeing the potential in me and for providing the required support all the way. I'm elated that the efforts I put into turning things around didn't go unnoticed as I clinched two awards at the FY23 company retreat and awards ceremony. Having won the CEO award and the "Deliver through collaboration" award, I'm motivated to continue to give my utmost best to contribute to the growth of the business. As I continue to put in the work, I'm excitedly looking forward to what the future holds. #workanniversary #resilience #appreciation

We are diverse, we are stronger. Now that I have left Procter & Gamble for some years, I know what I learn from this experience. I could talk about great marketing leaders, and training... but it is not what left the deeper change in my understanding of the business world. I worked at a couple of European companies before, and what was the most striking was the multicultural aspect. You join P&G, and immediately, you work with hundreds of people from different countries and different horizons. It is not about Corporate Social Responsibility, it is about performance. A team is stronger when you have diverse people period. In Europe, you can admit other people because you want to look good in your corporate communication. In a true multinational company like P&G, you hire people from different cultures and backgrounds to be the best. I would have never thought of that before joining P&G, I would have structured my business the same way without this experience, and I would have probably completely crashed the company with only "Like me" people at emazing. We will succeed not despite of our diversity, but because of it.

Do you ever bite off more than you can chew!!?? Whenever that feeling comes around, I am more grateful than ever for the networks around me. From earliest childhood, the relationships between us are the fundamental building blocks of who we are, who we can become. The networks on the outside fill the mental and emotional networks that drive us on the inside. So I was delighted to hear back from the Sanofi talent teams attending  UNLEASH in Paris and #WorldEmployerBrandDay in Amsterdam this week. There was reassurance from listening to global leaders like the LEGO Group and Lepaya that we’re on the right track with our strategies. And in between the stories and insights our people shared, I could hear their minds stretching and new connections being made between all the memories and experiences that run along their networks… and now mine! It was particuarly inspiring to hear about what Rodolfo Camacho, Chief People Officer International at The Kraft Heinz Company was saying: “We acknowledge that experience matters, but we believe that to grow people and to prepare the leaders of the future, they need to experience different things, especially early in their careers ... it really stimulates to rotate, try different things and to learn.” I couldn’t agree more. At Sanofi, we see how gigs and #crossmoves to different businesses, functions  and countries help our people grow themselves and their networks. Encouraging more people to be bold and go for it is a big priority. Thanks to Daniel Perkins, Cristina Tudose Hassan AlHindwan and Axelle Chupin for your insights, energy and inspiration! #DiscoverExtraordinary #ActWithImpact #Sanofi 

At P&G, we empower our people to reach their full potential. 🌟 Fama Francisco, CEO of Global Baby, Feminine and Family Care, started as the first female sales manager in the Philippines and has since led global operations for renowned brands like @PampersUS and @Always_Brand. Fama’s P&G career spans 35 years and three continents, marked by resilience, growth and invaluable experiences. Along the way she learned some valuable lessons: 🚪 Find Another Way In: Don't give up when doors close. 💪 Flex Different Muscles: Embrace your uniqueness and let your true self shine as a leader. ⚖️ Keep an Eye on Your Oxygen Tanks: Prioritize your well-being for long-term success. Tap the link in bio to learn more about Fama’s career journey and her tips for success. #PGemployee

Looking for value creation in Digital journey? This is one story of how we made it at HEINEKEN VIETNAM unlocking incremental growth with Product recommendation on B2B Sales! #HeinekenDTGlobalAward #2ndPrize #HeinekenVietNam #RTMTransformation #OneTeamOneDream

Success is not a moment in time, it’s a journey. And it requires sustained energy and motivation. So in recent weeks, our team has been exploring how we achieve both high and ‘optimal’ performance - considering not just occasional peaks but also sustained excellence. While all of us naturally cannot be at our best 100% of the time, each of us has the capacity to attain optimal performance. This approach puts a greater focus on personal well-being and periods of recovery – the secret to thriving CONSISTENTLY in the face of life’s challenges. We recently completed a dipstick check-in with our Europe People and Culture team at The Coca-Cola Company - and while we recognize the great results we achieved, we see a lot of opportunities to support everyone to achieve optimal performance. There are a few building blocks we can start with, like clarifying and aligning priorities, boldly cutting unnecessary workload, and ensuring everyone’s wellbeing continues to be at the heart of everything that we do. It’s a small but significant shift in mindset, and I am super excited for what we can do to make a difference. #CocaCola #CocaColaEurope #OptimalPerformance #HighPerformance #LifeAtCoke #GoingForTheExtraSmile

'Do you know the difference in prize money between a Wimbledon Champion and Runner Up? – Before I share the story behind this question, let me set the context first. I have completed 11 years of my career in Unilever Bangladesh Limited today. This journey was full of challenges and opportunities. I always believed that the core source of my learning came from the interactions I had with people who had different perspectives and abilities. Therefore, I aim to recount a series of impactful encounters with both colleagues and influential leaders, pivotal moments that have played a substantial role in shaping my professional development and advancement. In 2013, upon joining Unilever as TTM, I had the privilege of participating in weeklong mentoring session led by one of the esteemed leaders in our industry, Mohsin Ahmed Bhai who was the acting Customer Development Director of that time. During a group session, he presented us with a P&L math problem to solve. While I responded swiftly, my answer proved to be incorrect. Upon identifying the step I had overlooked in my calculation, I instinctively remarked, 'oh! That’s a marginal error, somehow, I missed it,' reflecting my status as a recent graduate on my third day of employment. Mohsin bhai paused and posed a question: 'Do you know the difference in prize money between a Wimbledon Champion and Runner Up? The Runner Up receives exactly half (In the year 2013,16 million pound for the champion and exactly 8 million pound for the Runner Up), and the disparity between these figures represents that 'marginal Error.'’ That impactful statement resonated deeply with me, shaping my professional trajectory over the subsequent 11 years. I always Tried my level best to be that perfectionist in every role that I was given and avoid the pitfalls of 'Marginal Error' that distinguish the best from the merely good. I remain profoundly grateful for the leadership insights gleaned from such remarkable mentors, endeavoring each day to emulate those invaluable moments of guidance and inspiration. Thank you, Mohsin Ahmed Bhai, for your dedication and the valuable time you invest in grooming us.

Reflecting on My Career Journey My career is something that I am blessed with when it comes to the memories that have made me what I am today in my professionalism. From starting off in franchise management to leading multiple stores at O Boticario, each step has taught me invaluable lessons in perseverance, leadership, and innovation. For instance, I am grateful for having had the opportunity to work with outstanding teams and drive impactful projects that have immensely improved my strategic thinking along with problem-solving skills. Notably, there was a time when we initiated digital transformation at O Boticario which not only increased our sales but also improved customer satisfaction significantly. This project showed us the need for adaptability as well as being ahead of industry trends. Engaging oneself into continuous learning and taking up new challenges are some of the things that make people successful. Similarly, while progressing in my career journey, I pledge to promote innovation among other positive changes in my teams as well as the wider sector. I am looking forward to what tomorrow will bring; knowing every challenge awaits an opportunity for success. What key moments have defined your career? Share your reflections! #CareerReflection #Leadership #Growth #ProfessionalJourney #Innovation #DigitalTransformation

Reflecting on my journey at Philip Morris, I've spent most of my career in various corporate roles, never anticipating the twists life had in store. Following my husband's path within the same corporate entity was unexpected, yet immensely rewarding. This company has been more than an employer; they've been a supportive family, accommodating our needs even during times of transition to other affiliates. The transformation and evolution within the company have been truly uplifting, especially when aligned with my core beliefs. While I may not hold a top-level position, I firmly believe that each of us contributes significantly to shaping the culture we collectively create. I strive to engage in as many activities as possible beyond my immediate role—participating in projects, trainings, and more—to connect with fellow employees. I've learned that fulfillment doesn't always come solely from one's current role. Sometimes, it's about creating additional avenues to channel that extra energy and passion. There's endless potential for growth and fulfillment, and I encourage others to explore these possibilities, even if it means stepping outside of their comfort zones.Here's to embracing change, fostering collaboration, and continuously seeking fulfillment in both personal and professional endeavors. Cheers to the journey ahead! 🌟 #CorporateCulture #philipmorrisDNA #ProfessionalGrowth #EmployeeEngagement #Agility #wellbeing

In our conversation with Mondelēz International's Michelle Deignan, and our co-founder, Heather Wheeler, at Brand Innovators Super Bowl, so many golden nuggets surfaced. Some of our favorite moments from the conversation were: "If you don’t get things wrong, you are not pushing enough” "As marketers, the most important thing we can do is drive consistency. How do you continue to reinforce what's magic about your brand" "Your employees are your gateway to your consumers, if they are not excited about your brand and how you are talking about it, no one else is going to be too" Here's the full interview! https://lnkd.in/emjFST4k