Who are the people behind trbo? In our new series our employees introduce themselves – and answer five questions about themselves and their work. Today with our Chief Operating Officer Kira Schirl.
1. How did you hear about trbo and when did you start working?
trbo’s reputation reached me early on – with the Go-To Market in 2015, I was already passionate about the topic and would have loved to get started right away and help build the business. Unfortunately, trbo was not yet ready to employ me full-time as an all-rounder. They were initially looking for dedicated sales support, as well as someone who could create marketing materials – I am neither a born salesperson nor talented in graphic design. Therefore, I had to be patient. But at the beginning of 2017, when the opportunity presented itself, I jumped right in with great joy!
2. What is your job at trbo?
I like to call myself the “Jack of all trades”. I initially managed account management, promoted the product together with our technology department, and built up marketing and HR. I was able to hand over our largest area – customer support – to my colleague Anna after just under a year. In the meantime, my focus is on product and partner management, on all HR tasks from application processes to payroll accounting, as well as in the management of marketing. My tasks also include the cross-company management and definition of processes. But I also buy the toilet paper supplies or take a broom to sweep the huge terrace – any task that is not specifically assigned to a team and that just comes up. That’s also what I particularly enjoy – versatile and very varied work. Sometimes I spend days working on a strategy, conduct job interviews or get involved in a call with a customer at short notice who wants to discuss a specific requirement regarding our product with us.
3. Either/or. (Delete where not applicable)
Gummy bears – Chocolate
Coffee – Tea – Coffee in the mornings, tea during the day
Stairs – Elevator
Dog – Cat
Winter – Summer
Sneakers – High Heels
Cooking for myself – Eating out – As long as I don’t have to cook myself, but I am being cooked for, I like to do both
Beer – Wine
4. What would you have said 10 years ago about your current career choice?
10 years ago, I was already working for a technology provider in the field of online performance marketing. At that time I was in account management. It was clear to me that I wanted to stay in the industry and although I had not yet had any experience with online/e-commerce during my business studies, I found my calling in this industry. I knew that I wouldn’t be looking after customers forever – to be honest, that was a big challenge for me anyway, as I didn’t even want to pick up the phone to order a pizza when I was a kid. Talking to “strangers” on a daily basis was unimaginable for me up until then.
5. What has been the most embarrassing moment in your working life so far?
I like to think back to it now – but it was very embarrassing at the time. When I was new as a team lead, I told my team before the joint Wiesn excursion: You can all drink as much as you want – but please be in the office at 10 a.m. the next day, regardless of your condition. Who was not there? Me. I’ll gladly tell you the reasons for this in person, and there’s also a photo to prove it…
Bonus question: What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a journalist for years, and I also wrote for the youth section of our local newspaper. I still get to live out my passion for writing every now and then, when I find the time to write a whitepaper or a case study. As a child, I was in love with the son of my riding stable owner, which was when I wanted to run a farm with horses. But I wasn’t even 10 years old at the time….