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Last week our colleagues from BAT Denmark participated in the world's largest race relay, DHL Stafetten in Copenhagen. The 5 x 5 km company relay is an enormous event in which more than 125,000 people gather for a friendly competition in a relaxed atmosphere. The great results were celebrated with a dinner in the green park illuminated by torches, providing the setting for a fun evening with colleagues.
BAT South Africa celebrated Women’s Month in August by hosting a session with Phuthi Mahanyele. She is the former CEO of Shanduka Group and the winner of the Forbes Africa 2014 Business Woman of the Year award. The accomplished businesswoman gave an inspiring talk on being ambitious, pursuing goals and embracing femininity. Monique Lamberts, Talent and Organisational Effectiveness manager said: “By sharing her own life story, Phuthi has taught me how to earn respect as a female in the corporate environment, something I will carry with me forever.”
“Every single day during my past 7 years with BAT has never been the same because it has always been filled with learning, stretching, challenges, and opportunities. I have a group of friends all around the world thanks to my years with BAT in International Assignments, and working with the regional and global team. Everything about BAT from its people, its culture, and its working environment has made me feel like home every time I walk into any of the BAT offices around the world.” - Ngo Thuy Diem Phuong, Group Brand Manager, BAT Vietnam
“I used to be a national Lecturer of Integrated Pest Management Program and had a chance to be trained by FAO (Foods and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations). When I joined BAT, I had a strong background in agriculture, so I applied my experience into the development of tobacco plants to improve the quality of BAT’s products.” - Pham Minh Hoang, Leaf Growing Manager, BAT-Vinataba Joint Venture
“During my free time, I teach people to dive. It is an opportunity for me to be with people of different ages, backgrounds, and cultures – to listen to their stories, learn from their experiences, and see how they act and react in different circumstances. As it is with my diving, my roles in BAT allow me to be with all kinds of people thrown into different situations. Leaders, experts, managers, and consumers, customers and competitors; each one has their perspectives and emotions. Understanding and embracing all these as part of each person’s humanity makes me more effective at what I do.”
“The journey was tough, but there was no way I was going to give up. So far, during my time with BAT Bangladesh, I have been offered a wide variety of challenges and every time I pushed myself to the limit to deliver up to my potential. I had joined as a Territory Officer and then got into the Management Trainee programme, where I had the opportunity to work in a number of areas of Marketing. I considered every challenge as an opportunity to prove myself. This has not only helped me to learn and deliver, but also established my reputation in the business as someone who gets things done.”
BAT aims to create a legacy of leaders to ensure business sustainability and growth. We can only achieve this by investing as much in our people as we do in our brands. Vikash Harkison, one of our Management Trainees in the Operations Function who joined the programme this year, says “l have only been with BAT for six months and so far have enjoyed numerous personal and functional developmental opportunities. I also have the privilege of having the Operations director as my mentor. I can truly feel that my career is being treated as a long-term investment by BAT.”
“11 years, 3 countries and 7 distinct roles down the road, I look back at the incredible journey it has been and continues to be. From a campus rookie as a Management Trainee in Uganda to leading Information Technology in Democratic Republic of Congo, and now working in a Regional role; it has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. What has kept me going is the culture of ‘bring your difference’ that champions the enterprising spirit within the company. An environment that stretches your thinking inevitably brings out the best in you.”
“Working as a Trade Marketer, I spend most of my time away from the office and away from supervision and the same applies to the team that works with me. It is incredible working for a company that believes that I will do the right thing and make the right decisions in the best interest of our consumers and stakeholders. This enabling environment has given me the assurance that I am in the right place and at the right time for career growth and development.”
"From my very first day as a recent grad until today, I have grown among great leaders who have shown a deep interest in my career and professional development. I’m really excited about all the opportunities that may come for me in BAT!" - Rosy Esquivel (Talent Manager, Human Resources, BAT Mexico)
