#90 Sabrina Houssami - Founder CEO of Avanti Search / Former Miss World / Apprentice contestant

I'm grateful to have a fantastic guest - Rocky Biasi CEO of Human Connections for over 15 yearsCreator and presenter of the Accidental Counsellor trainingPassionate about mental health and wellbeingRealized when he was a teacher the impact that they have on students and wanted to make a differencehumanconnections.com.au  Introduction HighlightsHe got some bad advice early, so don't always listen to your teachers growing upAvoiding labels and carving out your own pathHow 2020 impacted him professionally and personallyBeing open, flexible, determined and the power of perseverance Executing the technical skills requires the right mindsetIf you want to help someone you sometimes have to connect with their painOne simple approach to changing the World (Empathetic Listening)Want to be a guest? Email me at [email protected]!

Welcome to another episode of "Wish I Knew . . . " A podcast where I speak with people about their careers focusing on their success, advice, mentoring and listening to interesting stories. I'm your host Gary Nowak and I've got another international flavor podcast with a creative young lady who loves the sales process and a global role, please enjoy my guest Christina Doueihi (Do Eh He).  Career Background:Leader for Strategic business growth plans in Middle East / Turkey & Africa based out of ZurichRegional Sales Manager for the Middle East in DubaiHead of Project Sales for UAE and OmanInterior ArchitectFounder of What's On DesignStudied at the Lebanese American University with a BA in Interior Architecture HighlightsMaking a sale at 12 years old without any trainingVisualized a space and how to change itGrowing up in Beirut and what it teaches youGetting a job and opening up a new store in a Dubai @22Being a successful woman in the UAEChanging shoes to deal with the end to end processEnjoying sales and having people believe in youBeing curious and following your instinctsHaving your dad and grandfather as you mentorsTime boxing your emotionsWanting to experience a new industryHaving structured thinking is keyWhat success looks like for ChristinaGetting insight into the afterlifeWant to be a guest? Email me at [email protected]!

Welcome to another episode of "Wish I Knew . . . " A podcast where I speak with people about their careers focusing on their success, advice, mentoring and listening to interesting stories. I'm your host Gary Nowak and I am so grateful to my guest Mirko Hilsheimer coming to us from Germany and providing some genuine advice, sharing of his experience and giving me great perspective throughout our conversation.Career Background:Started off in mechanical engineering, then an international business admin degreeMBA in Strategic Market from Sheffield Business school in the UKSolid consulting background with: Nearly 4 years at PwCOver 17 years with KPMG in Germany & ChinaHighlights: Job at 14 to get a better bike (I can totally relate)Proud of 3 degrees?Sheffield United and Sheffield WednesdayFiguring out what to do in your 20's 3 pieces of Great advice / Talk to peopleFollow your gut do what you believe in / Don't be too rationaleWhat he looks for in a candidate for consultingWalking through the decadesGetting the basics rightLoving connections in ConsultingBig blue knocking him out of PwCDiversity in Consulting#1 thing a good consultant should be doingCommunication in the younger generation and connectionsWhat Mirko does wellSharing successHis CHRO role, fantasticBeing in the people businessCreating awareness of leadership and importance of peopleGreat setback story with a positive outcomeReaching out for personal feedbackGiving feedback today, His China decisionGreat advice discussionAwesome consulting storyWant to be a guest? Email me at [email protected]!

I'm your host Gary Nowak and I've got a China / Germany KPMG connection for you with my outstanding guest Angelika Alt-Sherer.  I was blown away by the great perspective and advice provided throughout this conversationsBiography SnapshotBorne and grew up in Munich, Bavaria, GermanyMarried for more than 25 years, met my husband at KPMGCareer start at KPMG after graduating 30 years ago with 7 years out of the box experience at another Big Four, a smaller consulting firm and as a freelancer in the first decade of my careerAudit Partner at KPMG Germany with stations in Munich, Stuttgart and Shanghai (3 years)Serving a broad range of clients in different industries (main focus on Media and Automotive), listed companies as well as family owned businessSince 2018 part of the Audit Leadership of the German firm as CHROHighlights Working on the farm from ages 9 to 12 yoTax consulting early7 year checking things out of her careerWanted to try out a lot of things and see what she likedBeing a very structured person and being german, go figureGoing from big company to her own companyLearning the advantages of a big company and how to make it work for herThe ideal combination of a KPMGYou can hear her smile throughout the discussionBeing mentored and mentoring, how she developed her styleSelling - listening and asking questionsGreat questions when mentoring, really strongEverything has a price and consequencesUsing martial arts for career guidanceHer best advice LearnWork hard Be independentLeave your comfort zone, as much as possibleBeing positive and flexibleSetback discussionSink or swim without a lifeguard (metaphorically of course)Working in china conversation and how to work their successfullySolid celebrity crushWant to be a guest? Email me at [email protected]!

Career Background:Founder and Executive Chairman of QI Group of companies HQ's in Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur Operations in over 30 countries He is diversified with business interests in: Real estate Education Retail and Hospitality Also owns a football / soccer club in Malaysia  HighlightsFollowing in his fathers footsteps early with wanting to a lawyer and studying in the UKImpact of Margaret Thatcher on his educationNot liking accountancy all that muchPicking up Political ScienceThe Knowledge - Driving a taxi in LondonTraining program to the outskirts of ChicagoNice message to University GraduatesThe buck stops hereLoyalty discussion and caringMercenary vs missionaryBackpacking from London to GreeceBuilding up relationships while traveling33 days of silenceHaving only one mouthThe beauty of the pauseMarriage and back to MalaysiaThe 15% promise that didn't materializeWho works for who?If not now then when?Failure is criticalDare to . . . . Be gratefulAdapt, adjust, accommodateYour value is more than you paycheckWant to be a guest? Email me at [email protected]!

I'm your host Gary Nowak and in addition to being a great person and fantastic former co-worker my guest Liz Evans has one of my most favorite accents of all time (Northern England). Career Background:Big 4 Principal for over 5 yearsManaging director at EquaTerraManaging consultant with PA Consulting GroupAttended University of Hertfordshire just north of London studied Business and Decision ScienceHighlightsBaby sitting Dads golf buddy kidsClaim to fame for her town Captain Cook - Grew up in Northern EnglandLOVED her small college north of London melting potParameters from her Mum on where to attend universityThe LOVE of London and her small universityWanting to stay at university  and her Phd opportunityGetting into Consulting to "Catch Up" with peersA lot of LOVE in her career and lifeFinding a mutually beneficial friend in college to provide an alternative perspectiveGreat Dallas project while living in London (Listen to the lifestyle)Comparing working in the UK and the US, insightfulGetting terrible advice when moving to the US, using it as motivationKnow your own personal North StarConsulting event in San Diego with family and kids, impactful (Mind blowing)There is always a Plan BLiz builds relationships quicklyTrust and integrity are core to Liz and her successConsulting is about connecting the dots, we don't have to have all the answersThe beauty of a boutique consulting firmFinding her sweet spot in consultingBeing Bi-Lingual, shockerTrust who you are and know your boundariesProud moment of getting promoted to MD while on maternity leaveWorking in the UK Friday at 4 pm is the bestWant to be a guest? Email me at [email protected]!

Career Background:Finance transformation expert most recently with: BT in London Prior to that: SVP Finance Operations with Smith and Nephew VP Finance Transformation and systems with PearsonHighlightsNot knowing how to do his first job and getting promotedCompensating with a PorscheTaking a year off  prior to UniversityComing from humble stockDegree in English, but switching to accounting for a jobHaving verbal agility and emotional intelligence have served John wellThe Gap Year discussionGrowing into LeadershipAdvice on public speakingTalking stand up comedyWhy he chose his first employerBeing stubborn and getting accounting credentialsWatching Dad and loving what he sawGetting out of accounting at the right timeComing down to Shared Services where we eventually metLogistics eats strategy for lunch everydayGreat story about a US Major General that changed his lifeCrafting his own career path, MAGICFinding his stride for 3 to 5 years in shared services, being so happyGreat approach to conflict resolutionWonderful mentors that shaped his careerMentoring - Migrant LeadersWhat young people want these daysWonderful advice that fits everyone, so powerfulNever been to a McDonald'sTranslation Canteen = Lunch Room Cud = Fat Lager = Beer Want to be a guest? Email me at [email protected]!

Career Background:Coca Cola in various role SVP Customer Excellence VP of the West Zone National Team leader with sales associate recruiting National account executive Florida State University majoring in Advertising CommunicationHighlightsBeing a Seminole vs a GatorNo idea on the major, sound familiarSales career began early with convincing her dad of a way out of government workPodcast host with Origin storiesFind your own authentic pathHead / heart / gut conversation - where to listen"Everyone will let you down" commentYour choices create our outcomesPeople and soooo generousThe informational interviewsThe Coke interview and starting with then in CaliforniaThe 12 to 1 ratioBeing a successful woman at coke for 33 yearsWe all have Plot twists that happen in our livesPaying attention to Quiet the voices in your headStopping is a great thingAlways check in on your career pathWe've got your backGreat proud momentBest career move had an element of regretTrust yourselfWant to be a guest? Email me at [email protected]!

Career Background:Author of the book "The Career Toolkit"MIT Graduate and an engineer by backgroundChief Technology Officer at several companiesFaculty at MITCreator of the "brain Dump" Apphttps://brainbumpapp.com/HighlightsMom "Why don't you teach the chess class"Book "The Career Toolkit" 10 Topics / 10 chaptersLearning the intangible skills to go along with the technical skillsGiving content to MITHelping people reach their potentialGraduate degree in CryptographyPolitical volunteer for ClintonNever ever have software based votingNot knowing what to do, he "Hid" out at MIT as research staffHow to think about looking for a jobLook at the job not the title, dig deeperLooking at your career like a chess matchRunning towards is better than running awayLook for material changes at your companyBuilding your career planDon't "Drift" with your careerField testing his bookBe open to randomness and opportunitiesFocusing on the outcomeHates consultingCompetitive dance careerDiscount all advice you are givenSabbatical 5 months prior to 30 years old Want to be a guest? Email me at [email protected]!

Career Background:Founder and CEO of Avanti SearchRecruitment experience with: Accolade Wines Class Ltd Wolters Kluwer NSW Dept of Industry Apprentice Australia ContestantAmbassador for: Ferrari Australian Grand Prix Corporation Miss World Australia 2006Her Company - https://www.avantisearch.com.au/ HighlightsBest first job ever Miss World Australia 2006Looking for a way to get into charity workFinding excitement in recruitmentCreating a company that aligns with her valuesTaking care of the family with an unwell MotherBuilding up confidence early on and taking that with her throughoutBeing discovered through her great interview skillsAn interview is just a conversationKey skill is her listening abilityHearing impairment is her super powerAligning career to her valuesCommunicating with ExecutivesCoaching candidates on their career experience and imposter syndromeAsk for a water, coffee or teaAdmitting your nervesOverdelivering on contentThe "Golden" interview questionAvanti Search is her own company with high touchGreat perspective on her successVenice to VegasSummertime in New DelhiWant to be a guest? Email me at [email protected]!