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

A Day in the Life of Judith, our Product Manager

Give Judith a morning workout, a protein shake, and the buzz of collaboration, and she’s ready to conquer the day! Her colleagues admire her drive and critical mindset – traits that fuel her passion for innovation. Get to know our Judith! 

freepik-export-20241027184009aYs7

When my alarm goes off, I jump into my clothes, grab my protein shake, and dash to Ghent – heading straight to Basic-Fit for a quick workout that gets my blood pumping because nothing says ‘good morning’ like a bit of sweat! Yes, I’m a true morning person! In addition to hitting the gym, I also go for a run three times a week as I train for a marathon. I’m on a mission to recruit some colleagues for lunchtime runs – it’s a workout party waiting to happen 😊. 

 

Once I arrive at the office, I take a refreshing shower and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea to kickstart my day. At 9 a.m., we have our daily stand-up meeting. We briefly align our to-dos and step in to help each other, as needed. I block time in my calendar for the various tasks I have because structure is essential for me. It provides calm and reduces stress – it's a habit I've maintained since I was young, helping me work efficiently. 

 

My workday is incredibly diverse. I dive into the exciting world of data spaces and get up to speed with what is going on in the data world. Next to that, I participate in client meetings, especially to delve deeper into specific data needs. Just last week, I met with a client’s data scientist to discuss their data analyses on mobility data. I also regularly take time to (re-)design our product and hold design review sessions with the team, where I outline the user flow, and the UX designers translate that into wireframes.  

 

My day gets a golden boost when I encounter enthusiastic people who give constructive feedback. The days where we take the time to zoom out, take a step back, and reflect on where we are and where we’re heading – those are my absolute favorites!  

  • CEO Blog banner (12)

In my role, it’s crucial to listen closely and filter out the essential gems from the noise. What’s truly important, and what’s merely a nice-to-have? I always try to put myself in the shoes of a data analyst and challenge both my colleagues and the client. Technically, almost anything is possible, but is it worth the effort required? I’m a true interrogator – a skill I’ve retained from my consulting days. 

 

My strength lies in translating ideas into concrete steps. I enjoy challenging my environment, but I also appreciate being challenged myself. At FTI, this is the case. We are a flat and inclusive organization, fostering transparency and numerous opportunities. I find it essential to have good representation of both men and women in the workplace. While I often find myself as the only girl in the room with clients, there’s a healthy M/F balance in the office, and a great atmosphere! 

 

At first, I thought a startup would be chaotic, but the freedom to carve my own path is too good to pass up. Who needs a cookie-cutter job anyway? In a large organization, your impact is often less visible; in a smaller one, it’s clear. Plus, how great is it to be part of current events? You read something in the news or hear it on the radio, and it somehow relates to your job. Ghent is an amazing location, bustling with tech startups and a vibrant ecosystem for AI, data, and innovation. 

 

As the sun sets, you’ll find me in the kitchen, whipping up delicious dishes and letting my culinary creativity run wild! After a mentally demanding day, I enjoy getting my hands dirty in the kitchen. Maintaining a good physical and mental balance is important, and it aligns with one of FTI's objectives: through our innovative app—Elli—we aim to provide people with insights into their overall well-being and support them in staying healthy. That’s just another reason to be proud to work at FTI!