Inside Promega
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Today we’ll meet Martina Vokurkova-Chocova, our Forensic Regional Account Manager for Central and Eastern Europe.
What is the greatest lesson you’ve learned in your career?
Golden silence, which was part of the Miller-Heiman training I attended when I first started in 2008. At that time, I did not understand the proper meaning, but have since learned that when you want to learn something about another person, whether they are a customer, colleague, or someone else, you must listen carefully to what they say. No interruptions, just listening and then asking the right questions and listening again. All of that requires tolerance and sometimes a large amount of patience, which is the second greatest lesson I have learned.
Tell us a little bit about what your role is at Promega.
I joined the Promega Genetic Identity Euro team in January 2008, where I am responsible for Central and Eastern Europe; this year, it is my 16th anniversary within the team. Both the territory and the job description have changed a little bit over the years, but my primary role has stayed the same. I look after our customers, listen to their needs, concerns, and issues, and do my best to help. I help with troubleshooting, setting up tailor-made solutions to forensic laboratories, and meet with customers at conferences as well as in their labs. In their labs, we often work hand-in-hand with the forensic analysts and technicians performing various testing experiments, validation, performance checks, etc. At conferences, I present new solutions at the booth and in presentations. I have also helped with market evaluation and with finding the right distributors in challenging countries, which I enjoy very much.
What does a typical day for you look like?
It is either computer work, such as working on emails, online video calls with colleagues or customers, preparing or performing presentations over the computer, helping troubleshooting etc. or it is travelling – to a forensic lab, conference, or a company meeting. It is best to have both to have a balance and I prefer it this way as I really hate routines.
What’s your favorite thing about your job?
Two things: not having a set routine and working within a team. I never know what will come my way and it is often challenging. I work together with my team, which makes the outcome successful. That is what I like the most, and I am blessed and grateful to have such wonderful colleagues. Also, overcoming challenges is something I enjoy as well as working with customers using several languages. All of this requires out-of-the-box thinking, which I have developed and has proven to be a great skillset to have outside of work as well.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
Definitely teleportation. Getting from place A to place B takes SO MUCH TIME. Just imagine if you only needed to concentrate and then appear exactly where you want to be just in a flash. That would make my life so much easier. I would love that!
If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be?
Nikola Tesla. He was a great scientist, inventor and visionary. His quote, “If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration,” is one of my favorites and something I am trying to apply to my daily life.
When you have an hour of free time, what do you like to do?
Absolutely nothing! It would be such a luxury and a miracle at the same time, and I am sure I would find things to do. Doing nothing is something I would like to learn and experience. Well, as one of my colleagues say, “every day is a school day.”
Name two songs that would be on the soundtrack of your life.
Can I do 3? We Weren’t Born to Follow (Bon Jovi), A Million Dreams (The Greatest Showman), Thousand Years (Christina Perri).
What do you do in your free time?
Well, to be completely honest, I don’t have much free time. I used to do lots of sports in the past such as zumba dancing, skiing and hiking, but since becoming a single Mum of a teenager and 6-year-old twins, there is not much time during the day that I have for myself.
BUT – when they all fall asleep, it is finally “me-time”. I dedicate 1-2 hours every night for myself. I write stories, novels, or practice singing. Last year I published a book, which was a result of 11 years of writing and 2 years ago, I published my first singing video clip. So, you can do incredible things step by step when you are consistent, patient and believe in what you are doing. I like to live my dreams and create something beautiful. Currently, I am working on our “zen-garden”, finding pleasure and enjoyment in salsa dancing, and playing drums with my son. I believe that there is absolutely nothing one cannot do if truly believing it.
Thanks Martina for this little insight! If you have questions for Martina or about Promega, please ask!
