2. News
  3. A day in the life of dianna

A Day in the Life of Dianna, our Head of Admin and HR

Meet Dianna, who starts her day with a morning dog walk, a coffee, and the energy to take on the world! Her colleagues appreciate her positivity, social skills, and her knack for balancing work with a bit of fun. Get to know our Dianna! 

freepik-export-20241027184009aYs7

I’m not exactly a morning person, but being from Bruges, I must get up early to make it to the Ghent office. I usually get up around 6.30 a.m., and while I don’t eat breakfast, a latte or cappuccino is all I need to get started. After a quick stroll with my two little Pomeranians – Ollie and Teddy, who just turned one – I’m ready for the day. A quick shower, and I’m off to work. 

 

When I arrive at the office, the first thing I do is grab another coffee. Then, we kick off the day with our dailies, where we share our to-dos and help each other out where we can. I’m always ready to lend a hand, because I’m a real people-pleaser. I love helping my colleagues and making their day easier. 

  • IMG_0136_Dianna

My role is a mix of administration and HR. I ensure timely payments, set up back-end processes, and keep track of new hires – currently, we’re looking at some technical profiles and an internship. I also assist with marketing, defining the ideal customer profile and mapping the market by sector. Coming from real estate, it’s a great chance to learn more about FTI’s clients. As I’ve only been here for a month and a half, I’m soaking up everything I can! Next to that, I’m looking into our community project, which is super interesting and key to shaping FTI’s identity and defining our role in Belgium and Europe’s innovation landscape. 

 

What I love about my job is the variety and the freedom it offers. The more variety, the better. I enjoy when people ask me questions – even the weird ones! It keeps me on my toes, and I get to go out and find the answers. 

 

The day gets an extra touch when I can surprise someone. Whether it’s with a small gift or even just setting up the office for Christmas over the weekend (yes, I did that!). The surprised and happy faces on Monday morning, those are the moments I live for. Work should be fun, and I love bringing that energy into the team! 

 

Flexibility is key in my job, and that is a good thing as I love not being tied to a strict 9-to-5 schedule. Sometimes I work better in the evenings, so I don’t mind opening my laptop to finish up a few tasks after hours. We can work from home up to three days a week, but honestly, the office vibe is so good that I’m almost always there. I was already friends with one of my colleagues before joining, but in no time, we’ve become a tight-knit team. We regularly stay after work for drinks and a chat.  

 

What I like about FTI is the out-of-the-box thinking and the voice we all have in the direction we take. Compared to the real estate world where everything follows a set routine, that’s a huge difference. Being able to make an impact is incredibly rewarding and the trust we get makes me want to work even more. We’re all going for the same goal, can be open and we dare to ask for advice without hesitation. We know our organization inside out and it’s amazing to see the passion we all have. We’re on an innovative fast track, and I’m excited to be on board! 

 

At the end of the day, I get in my car and turn on my music – anything except country. Once I’m home, it’s time for dog cuddles and comfy clothes. Thanks to the work-life balance at FTI, I can catch up with friends more often. Watching a movie, going out for dinner, or having cocktails, it’s the perfect way to end the evening.