I have never let dyslexia define me….. I have always believed that you can do anything you want to do if you set your mind to it. I am passionate about everything I do and always give 100%, I go out of my way to help others and strive to make a difference not only in my life but also in that of others and the world we live in.
I have never understood the half-hearted approach, to be successful you have to give everything you have.

Background

I grew up with 2 older brothers and a younger sister, in a family of professional cyclists so sports and competition were in my blood from a young age. Growing up with two older brothers gave me a lot of resilience which I never thought I would appreciate later in life. Often had to get my elbows out to get to the biscuit tin whilst shouting “LADIES FIRST!!!”. But we always supported each other and cared for one another,  something that has continued as we have gotten older too. 

Sports played a big part in our lives, at the age of 7 I was riding a bike at the velodrome following in my family’s footsteps of Olympic and World champion cyclists, however, I soon realised that 2 wheels were not my passion, that passion was in horse riding which I took up alongside my sister with our mum fully supporting us. 

Sports taught me how to be competitive but also humble, as a family we gave it 100% and always strived to win, and do our best, however on the occasions when we were not victorious we were taught to be humble and gracious offering congratulations and support to those who were. Sports encouraged me to always self-reflect and always improve my performance.

Early life

Whilst at school I naturally did better at more practical subjects as I have dyslexia. This was something that during my school years, I did my best to hide as I didn’t want to be considered “different” to my peers.  I found many coping mechanisms and ways to adapt so that I could manage. It still sticks with me when my Geography teacher found it hilarious that I had written something phonetically, unaware that I had written a rude word. At a very influential age, I was so embarrassed. I then decided to choose subjects at A Level that I would enjoy mainly practical subjects but I also found enjoyment in Psychology.

I attended  Plymouth University to study Equine Psychology and Behaviour, This was a great way to combine my passion for horses, and loved the challenge of understanding the psychology of an animal that can only communicate with body language. 

Guru Career

During Sixth form to maintain my hobby I found myself having to work almost every evening in a call centre, This was where I discovered how much I enjoyed helping people, solving problems, and working hard as part of a team. This was the start of my sales journey and it taught me so much and for that, I will always be very grateful.

Post University for 9 years I worked in customer service for a global company, progressing my way into a team leader position at a young age. It was at this point I really embraced my dyslexia and this is very much down to a lady who visited my company to share her knowledge and views on diversity in the workplace and how different people and skills create a great team.

It was at this stage in my life I realised that If I could help others by standing up and saying I am proudly dyslexic and supporting/talking to others about coping mechanisms, fantastic technologies, and a safe space to talk that I could help others in similar situations to then succeed and be the best version of themselves. I have been fortunate to work for companies that have supported me and provided me with technologies to enable me to succeed at my job. 

I decided I needed a new challenge in my life and I moved to Inside Sales within my existing company in the security space, I think this was the point I was grateful for having older brothers as this set me up for working in a male-dominated industry and helped me develop my sales skills. 

My career then evolved into sales and account management as I knew I enjoyed helping people and was passionate about products that can assist people to make a difference. This is what led me into the energy industry and I have been fortunate to progress my sales career in the industry over the last 10 years. 

Current Role

I joined Guru Systems 2 years ago. After I met the team I knew I wanted to work with these passionate people who had a drive for sustainability. The main objectives of Guru aligned with my moral compass and if I’m honest I love geeking out on the data and spotting areas for improvement or seeing where we have made a difference.

I enjoy working with clients and customers who have similar drives to mine, forging forward to improve carbon reduction for future generations and also providing their customers with great service. 

Personal Interests

Most of my hobbies involve the great outdoors, countryside and animals.

Whilst being very family orientated, I also have a menagerie of animals including a dog, cats, horses and previously chickens, they are all like family! Most of which are rescues as I love to give some love and care to animals that need help. This has been so rewarding over the years.

I currently care for 6 horses ranging from 1 – 35 years old (enjoying his retirement) with the help of my very understanding husband. I spend my time outside of work caring for them as well as competing up and down the country at national and county-level competitions. I also help my close friend with all of their young horses and as well as competing with them I do all the handling of them at a very young age to provide them with a good foundation and education for the rest of their lives  (my degree has helped with this). 

We were fortunate enough to buy a small house with land and stables for the horses in 2017 which also had a large orchard containing plums, greengages, Quinces and approximately 30 varieties of cider apples and Beehives! This has encouraged us to learn about maintaining orchards and utilising the produce we grow such as honey and cider. Maintaining the land and orchard is a project in itself, but the peace this brings to a fast-paced life is fantastic for our well-being.

I also enjoy many hobbies such as hiking, mountain biking, and kayaking… ok mainly the ones that involve a break at a pub mid-activity. I often combine these with a camping holiday with friends and family. 

Having many nieces and nephews whom we are very close with has enabled us to combine many of these hobbies with our family. The nieces and nephews often ask if they can come and spend time with us on the farm helping us do jobs, or go for bike rides or other crazy activities that they fancy doing.

Future Goals

Personal goals, our one-day dream would be to build a passive standard house. I love researching new technologies available. I’m a big believer in having a good work-life balance with continuing lots of hobbies. 

Professionally, I am very driven to exceed and smash targets. Providing our customers with the best products and services to ensure they meet their sustainability targets.

Contact details

• annick.jordan@gurusystems.com
• Work number: 07596 861727
• Linkedin 

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A little cliche but I would call myself an extrovert. I’ve always loved actively speaking to and being around people. Growing up, my parents always said I was too friendly and only focused on my friendships. I loved it though, it made everything so much more fun.

Background

Growing up I found myself interested in how people acted and why they acted the way they do from a young. This led me to study Psychology which became such a passion for me. It may have helped me with how I interact with people but it also has given me such perspective to just be patient and kind with people.
My happy place is spending time with friends and family. My hobbies are travelling, watching movies, and being the best foodie ever! I will always say yes to trying out a new restaurant. I also love being active.
I have always been active since young and I love swimming and rock climbing. I’ve now joined a hiking group to find a new love of the outdoors.

Guru Career

I first started working at 16 during sixth form. It was a retail job and I ended up in retail for the next 6 years while in education. It gave me independence, responsibility, and the skill of networking. I found many of my part-time jobs through friends/ coworkers I had made previously. I was also able to build the courage to commit to a routine as a young adult and develop my skills in the world of work. Not many people say they enjoyed working in retail, however because of all the amazing coworkers I’ve met over the years (some of whom I’m friends with to this day) I will always be grateful for the lessons and experiences I’ve learned from working in retail.

Current Role

After graduating I had an early twenties crisis, I loved psychology but I also wanted to figure out what I wanted to do. I was seeking roles that I could be competitive in and also work with different people. I then found myself working in the heat network space with Guru! Learning about Heat networks was a degree in itself! It was a whole new world of knowledge to me. Even though I am still new to the industry and at the start of my career, I am enjoying the journey.

Future Goals

I hope to continue to keep learning and growing, I’m focused on hitting all my targets set! As a typical salesperson, I’m driven to keep smashing it.
I hope to continue learning and growing, focused on hitting all my targets set. As a driven salesperson, I’m determined to keep smashing it. Networking and building strong professional relationships will be a key priority, as I seek to expand my knowledge and gain invaluable insights. I also want to explore more countries and meet new people as relationships are not only an important part of my role but also an important part of life.

Contact details

Fatima.abdi@gurusystems.com
Work number: 07749498676
LinkedIn

The post Fatima Abdi: Outgoing Psychology Graduate in Heat Networks appeared first on Guru Systems.

14 years ago I hit the restart button on my life. Personally and professionally everything changed. I went from being an at-home mum of 3 to restarting a career and growing into the successful person my 12-year-old self had always dreamed of becoming. Now I say this with humour as those of you who know me understand you never stop being a mum – it’s endless and often thankless, especially when the kids are young and demand all your attention. But regardless, I pushed through and looking back it has been an amazing 14 years. I often find myself looking in the mirror wondering just how I’ve managed to stay looking so fresh-faced and young despite the stress and pressure of it all…(not!)

Background

I grew up in a traditional, but in hindsight not so traditional, Greek family. I was the princess – literally the youngest sibling, the youngest cousin, and I always got my way or threw a tantrum until I did. At 10 my home life changed; my princess status was stripped away and I had to learn to function and find my way again. What a shock to the system that was! I can tell you now it was not handled gracefully at all.

At 12 I wanted to be a lawyer. I was going to serve the justice system and be amazing at it. Then, a few years later, I discovered other interests – much more of a social butterfly and less focused on a career or what I would be when I was old because, hey, at 15 I was already grown up, right?! Anyway, long story short, I ended up in hospitality, managed a high-class bistro in Chiswick, ran a pub in Wembley, and then somehow ended up in a sales role at a national distribution company for the HEVAC market. Little did I know at 19 this would be the industry where 11 years later I would re-enter and build a foundation for where I am today.

Guru Role 

Just before I started this role  I was asked (by a couple of close friends…who are supposed to be my friends anyway!) how on earth little old me landed a role as Sales Director for Guru Systems. Well, the next question was “Who are Guru Systems?” At first, I was like, uhmm… I don’t know, but Guru is a great company, a specialist in data analysis and software, and truth be told, since working in the heat network industry they have been on my radar as a company I’d love to join one day. That seemed to answer their question but then got me wondering, how have I, in 14 years, gone from working in a small distribution company branch to now reporting to the CEO of a London-based software business?

I thought back to 12-year-old Soulla and remembered how much I wanted to be successful. I realised that even though I thought she was gone forever, somewhere she has lived on and driven me forward to achieve her goals. Don’t get me wrong, there have been many challenges along the way so many obstacles to overcome, and sacrifices made. I may have been down for periods but I never gave up and always found a way to be and do better. So in answer to how little old me got the Sales Director role at Guru Systems, it’s simple – I worked hard for it.

I am still in month 1 of this role and I am encouraged and excited by the buzz within the business to deliver on transparency of Data and a combined thought leadership approach to the energy sector. I guess at this point it’s hard to say what my day-to-day responsibilities become but what I do know and can 100% guarantee is that I will follow through on the mantra of transparency, honesty and communication to build solid foundations and relationships with our clients and partners.

Working for a company like Guru whose main objective is to drive sustainability in the energy sector aligns with my moral compass of wanting to create a greener, cleaner environment for myself, my family and the generations that will follow us.

I am keen to explore the unknown and unwrap the potential that real-time data and analytics have to offer the energy sector, not only within District Energy but as a source of knowledge and information to drive policy, regulation and best practice in the drive to a Net zero world.

Personal Interests

I am massively family-oriented. My boys, or should I call them men now as they are far bigger than me, are my absolute world. I share time with each of them individually, doing what makes them happy. In general, the eldest is centred around drinking but that’s a small price to pay when he comes home from uni, and with the youngest, our activities revolve around rugby, either me freezing while watching him play or going together to watch Saracens, and more recently crying together when England lost the semi-finals in the World Cup.

I like to stay active by running, going to the gym, weight lifting (only recently), and taking part in at least one physical challenge per year. 2024 is the year of the 20-mile Tough Mudder – wish me luck! I have a 3-year-old boxer dog called Thor who takes up any spare time I might have left by needing walks, cleaning up after, and generally just following me around and tripping me up all day long.

Future Goals

My main goal right now is to help my boys go on to become the best versions of themselves they can be. They make their own decisions but I like to think they take my guidance and advice on board. Professionally, my ambition is to drive Guru Systems to the number one spot in the industry, providing our customers with the very best products and services to help them achieve their sustainability targets, and in turn, creating a better world for us all to live in and enjoy.

Contact details

• Soulla.paphitis@gurusystems.com
• 07749 498 679
• Linkedin

The post Get to know Soulla Paphitis: Sales Director appeared first on Guru Systems.