Name: Veronika Longvinova
CEMS home school: WU Vienna
CEMS host school: Prague School of Economics (VSE)
First NGC project: La Plataforma
Current job title & company: Senior Materials Manager at HILTI
Can you tell us a little bit about you?
I am born and raised in Saint-Petersburg, Russia. Up until the age of 17, I thought I would never move anywhere from my country. One day, however, I have received an opportunity to pursue a full Bachelor Degree in Finland and that is how my 10-year long European journey has started.
After embracing cold Finnish winters for three years, I have moved to the UK to do an internship at Bosch. I have experienced cute English countryside for two years, juggling between logistics and marketing topics, before deciding to do a Masters. WU Vienna and CEMS Master program seemed like an obvious choice so I have moved to Austria and stayed here ever since (with a small de route to Czechia for an exchange).
Currently, I am working in logistics at HILTI in its HQ in Liechtenstein which means that on a normal day I would cross the border with the EU twice: from home in Austria to work in Liechtenstein and back.
I love travelling, hiking in the mountains, obstacle races and reading. I also try to contribute my free time to some volunteering activities: I am doing translations for infamous TED videos and, of course, taking part in the NGC Board.
Can you tell a fun fact about yourself?
One winter I worked in Finnish Lapland as a Santa Claus elf!
How did you first get involved with NGC?
Back in 2017, I wanted to be a consultant at NGC so I applied.. and was not chosen. I asked the HR manager how I could improve my NGC application for the future. I guess that act sparked attention as in a few days I have received an email with the question: "Would you like to take over a consultant role as one of the consultants had to drop out?"
The project was about the Latin American financial sector for which I had neither skills nor any relevant experience. However, I was so excited to be onboard that I immediately accepted the offer. It appeared to be a challenging, yet rewarding experience. After the project, I applied to be a Project Manager and have led five projects for a full year.
What made you choose to join the NGC board?
My main motivation was always the team. We have an amazing atmosphere of professionalism, fun and encouragement. Every little victory is celebrated together. I also love that NGC is focusing on social enterprises - organisations that often need business advice but do not have the financial means to ask for support from big consulting companies. Lastly, it is mentorship for our consultants. I am feeling very happy when I see the achievements of our former consultants and Board members.
What does your role at NGC entail? And how is it working together with a team of volunteers?
After leading a team of PMs for a year, I am stepping into the role of Vice President at NGC. I am still trying to outline the description but I could summarize the role in this way: on one hand, I will be supporting the NGC Managing Director with all the strategic activities. On the other hand, I would like to implement some of the innovative ideas the Board has suggested over the last years. And thirdly, I would like to support the functional team (HR, Head of PMs, Marketing...) and take a role of a sparring partner for them. For me, it is important that no Board member feels lost or overwhelmed with their tasks.
What do you do for your full-time job?
In my usual job, I am tackling the beast called Global Supply Chain. In some way, I am a liaison between external suppliers and transport companies on one hand, and warehouses and market organisations on the other hand. I am also leading a few logistics projects. It is definitely a challenging role (especially now in the COVID times) but it also brings me so much knowledge and experience. Oh, and it is never boring which makes for me the biggest selling point.
Is it easy to manage your role at NGC at the same time? Do you have any tips on how to juggle these responsibilities?
Sometimes it is definitely not easy to manage both roles. What works for me is understanding my responsibilities and deadlines for the NGC activities, as well as using delegation and prioritisation. I also have certain flexibility so I could complete my tasks during the weekend or in the evening after my usual job. I am grateful that the NGC team is so supportive and understanding of each other’s situations. In the end, we all are a team of volunteers having full-time jobs so being flexible is our main advantage.
What have been some of the best moments at NGC?
I would have two! The first one was our small Christmas party with the consultants in 2020 - a great way to get to know the students and alumni. The second one is when I could meet one of my former clients - Kalmat Foundation - in person in Switzerland, show our final presentations and get the updates about the organisation. It was such a great feeling to see what positive changes were implemented at Kalmat Foundation after our projects together.
Has your role at NGC helped you in your career? And if so, how?
Absolutely! During my student life, I got asked a few questions about my experience at NGC during interviews, so it definitely adds a few bonus points to your CV. The experience as PM has made me more structured and also improved my "presentation game" - I have learnt how to present my thoughts in a clear and structured way, prioritise the tasks and distribute the workload. As a head of Project Management, I managed the team so I could improve my leadership skills.
Do you have any tips for students thinking about applying to NCG?
Don’t be afraid to apply! NGC is an amazing experience and we are always looking forward to expanding our team of consultants and Board members. Even if you feel you do not have relevant skills or experience, do not hesitate to send us your application! I will be happy to answer any question, feel free to reach out on my LinkedIn: https://at.linkedin.com/in/veronikalogvinova