MEET THE PLANET HERO’S – AGA ULANOWSKA, PLANET OFFICE MANAGER

Aga planet hero

I don’t even want to imagine a Planet without Aga!

If you want something done… ask Aga… it gets done.

In the 2nd Meet The Planet Hero’s feature, we talk with Aga Ulanowska, our HQ Office manager. Aga has been with us for 5 years and has seen lots of changes and exciting growth in that time. It’s scary how much work Aga takes care of, and it has become even more evident in recent months with everything going on around us.

Today we find out a little bit more about Aga. Why she enjoys being part of the Planet Family. What makes her tick, why change in business is a good thing and discover her secret passion for gardening…

 

You’re not from these shores. What brought you here?

That’s right, I come from a city in south-eastern Poland called Zamość.

It’s a beautiful place, but since I graduated and got the degree in English, I knew what to do next.

After months of planning, I took a big leap of faith and moved to UK.

It was the most difficult, but the best decision I made in my life. I lived in gorgeous Edinburgh for few months, then moved to Oxfordshire where I found Planet IT, or shall I say Planet IT found me?

Planet found you?

Yes, it was actually Planet IT that reached out to me.

It’s still a bit of a mystery, as I hadn’t even applied for the job ?

One day I received a call asking if I’m interested in a temporary position and that was it – I started the next day.

It was only meant to be for a few months and here I am 5 years later!

 

The business has changed so much in your time here. What do you think has driven those changes?

Looking back to when I first joined Planet IT, it’s undeniable that things have changed.

What I’ve learnt within those 5 years so far, is that you can never stand still, especially in the IT industry.

Changes are good if done for the right reasons and Planet IT did just that.

Every aspect of the business has improved and the drive to be better and more efficient with improved work processes etc. was the key to successfully make it happen.

What has been your favourite Planet memory?

I have so many great memories with Planet – it’s impossible to choose only one.

Some of the best memories was cruising on a snowmobile in the middle of the Icelandic glacier on Planet IT Christmas party, team-building 10-kilometre Tough Mudder runs that break us all every time!

and how can I forget receiving my first “MVP of the year” award! ?

Hopefully many more great memories still yet to come.

 

If I ask about your favourite parts, I have to ask about the opposite side too – what challenges do you face in your role?

I think every job comes with its challenges and my role is no different.

Certain tasks involve more thought and time investment, but it’s important not to shy away from it and take these tasks head on with a positive and “can do” attitude.

 

If you want something done… ask Aga… it gets done.

 

In your role, you talk to and deal with lots of businesses outside Planet IT, during this time of Covid – what business habits have you seen emerge? What has impressed you? What has shocked you?

That’s true, the initial weeks of the lockdown had a significant impact on most UK businesses. Customers and vendors I’m taking to are telling us that the connectivity and technology are absolutely vital to them at this time. It’s always been important, but who would have thought it would be this critical to keep businesses functioning at this time.

What shocked me is that we are also seeing a noticeable increase in malicious behaviour, as scammers and hackers try to take advantage of people working from home.

What advice would you have for businesses right now?

My advice would be to focus on what you can control and set yourself reasonable expectations.

We’re in this together and throughout this crisis people are doing the most amazing things to help each other, so stay connected.

 

 

Outside Planet IT – what makes you tick?

I don’t want to sound like a pensioner, but I really enjoy gardening! Especially now, it’s been my little escape from what’s currently happening in the world.

On a flipside believe it or not, I enjoy a bit of online gaming! It’s a great way of spending some time with my friends, especially those that are far away.

Dog person or Cat person?

100% dog person.

We’ve always kept dogs in my family and I’m planning to keep the tradition here in UK.

However, as small dogs are out of the question, I might need a bigger house first… ?

 

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Chocolate and coffee, definitely.

There’s no way I can start a day without a nice cup of coffee, although I must be going though litres a day…?

And who can resist a lovely bar of chocolate!

This is all about Planet Heros – if you were a real life superhero, what would your superpower be?

Good question…?

I think I would like to have the ability to control time. Life moves way too fast and to be able to slow it down, pause or even go back in time would be amazing!

 

If you were to give advice to a 14 year old you – what would it be?

I would say to believe in yourself more and ignore people’s opinions. The only opinions that really matter are that of your family’s.

Also, don’t stop playing piano just because you didn’t get to the music school. You will later regret it.

 

If you were to give advice to a young person looking ahead at a career like yours  – what would it be?

Just make sure you do something you enjoy doing.

Also, keep learning new skills, you will never know when it might come in useful.

 

Aga Ulanowska is our office manager here at Planet IT. If you’re one of our clients, you’ve probably spoken with Aga a few times! She is typical of the personality and work ethic of our team. If you’d like to work with Planet IT or think you need one of our services, then give the team a call on 01235 433900 or email [email protected]

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