Get to know the people and the passion behind Tivian
In this edition of “5 minutes with,” we have the pleasure of chatting with Dora Kalman, Tivian’s Global Sales Operations Manager. Join us as we delve into her life, values, and career and hear about her unique perspective on success and the dynamic world of Sales Operations.
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Hi Dora. Thanks for taking the time out of your schedule to speak with us. We’re excited to learn more about you, but before we get into your career detail, could you share some personal thoughts, including who you would invite to dinner and why…
What or who has inspired you most in your life, and why?
My grandparents, who had worked hard under communism, lost everything they had fought for and had to rebuild their lives from scratch. They are heroes. They keep telling me, “Never give up on your plan; you are never too old to start something new.”
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Less stress about unnecessary things.
What is/are the values you hold most dear to you?
Honesty and kindness. My family and best friends can always count on me, no matter what.
If you could be anyone else, who would you be and why?
I love sports, and in Hungary, there is a famous fitness woman – Rubint Reka, who is a role model for many people. She has a wonderful family, a lot of energy, and a real passion for what she does. She never looks tired, and I don’t know how she does it. 😀
You can invite 1-4 people to dinner (dead or alive). Who would they be, and why?
My mom definitely, who unfortunately passed away many years ago. I would also have a conversation with Richard Branson. I’ve always loved these success stories when someone with an idea or an incredible business plan becomes a big fish and never forgets where they started their career.
What is your go-to song when you want to feel happy, special?
It is a tricky question because I love different types of music like rock, pop, jazz, and country, but let’s pick one: Sunrise Avenue – Hollywood Hills.
Tell us about your background before joining Tivian.
I worked in Sales Development, Sales, and Marketing Operations positions in Hungary for years when I decided to move abroad to Germany.
What does your role entail?
I work in Sales Operations. I would define my position as the bridge between Finance and Sales. I keep my eyes on all opportunities (pipeline), invoices, customer accounts.
What prompted you to move to Sales Operation?
The sales Operations position is a creative, always exciting, multilateral job. The responsibility is high to deliver the correct figures to the management and to ensure that sales are aware of every sales opportunity in many ways. Due to the complexity of this job, every day is different and never gets boring.
What does your average day at Tivian look like?
In the morning, I open my emails and wonder how many emails I have received since yesterday. Coffee break. For me, it is crucial to list the most important tasks that need to be done today. I also attend meetings with sales and finance and take calls from colleagues to resolve ad hoc issues. Reviewing key reports daily is also essential to catch errors immediately.
What trends can you see happening in the industry this year?
The growth of AI in the Project Management field is creating a huge opportunity to make many of our processes more efficient. However, this would entail a new learning curve and time investment beyond what the exact role entails.
What are the challenges you see in Sales Operations?
Automatization of some processes would be essential to speed up certain procedures.
How has the role of Sales Ops and the technology changed in the last five years?
The world is changing fast, and technology is changing even faster. In this position, we also have to constantly educate ourselves, whether it’s creating new types of presentations or creating more modern, informative reports. A quick response is also critical, as customers can’t wait days for a solution.
How does Tivian help businesses?
Tivian offers a great solution to measure employee/ customer satisfaction. Nowadays, this tool is a must-have for companies that care about “well-being” and feedback.
“Train people well enough so they can leave. Treat them well enough, so they don’t want to.” -Richard Branson.
Before you go, please share one interesting fact about you (outside of work).
I am a dog lover, and I have a cute big-white dog. I used to attend many makeup artists shows, so I decided to become a makeup artist just for fun. 😊
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