Digital Delivery at Accenture

Andreas Reichert, Accenture Digital
Arquitecto líder de Tecnología Digital, “Interesado, relajado y determinado” padre de 3.

Andreas’ advice to those pursuing a career in technology: Trends and tech are changing fast. Stay ahead of what’s possible. And try to do the things you love—you will achieve great results.

As a Digital Tech Arch Principal, I work with clients that are facing issues with their data; they need answers and I optimize data to provide solutions. They might want to know how many customers they have and which products they prefer. We make sure the data they’re capturing is maintained in an optimal way.

The Work
The wide range of projects I get to work on keeps work interesting and always challenging. The most exciting project I’ve worked on was setting up the data management infrastructure for an insurance company. The company had faced many challenges in the past. By really digging into the data and understanding their issues and demands, we were able to deliver a system that provided higher-quality data and enabled the company to focus on its core activities, rather than having to manually fix incorrect information and resolve customer complaints.

Collaboration and Kids
On my first day with the company, I was given the chance to take responsibility for a transformation project. The potential to learn and keep up to speed with the latest technologies is definitely something I love about working at Accenture. On a daily basis, I try to discuss solutions with my team that we might be able to provide with the latest trends and technologies. There’s a pretty open environment here; I feel that I can bring in my ideas to find best solutions. And if you have a question, there is always someone willing to help you. I also take advantage of the continual training and development opportunities Accenture offers me. And in my free time, I focus on my true passion: my three kids.

My Advice
Don’t underestimate “water cooler” talk. Close interaction and discussions at coffee breaks or at lunch time is as essential for establishing long-term relations with a client as any good project results. You’ll get to learn a lot about the needs and demands of the client, which could open other opportunities on another project.

Andrielle Azevedo de Paula, Accenture Digital
Consultora de Integración de Negocios, lectora ávida y patinadora

As a lead for the Accenture Digital NEWomen program in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Andrielle loves that she gets to blend her work with her true passion: achieving gender equality in the workplace.

In my role as a Business Integration Consultant with Accenture Digital, I work as a technical leader, managing projects and helping my team develop as we support our clients. Every day is an exciting challenge for me; I finish each day with the feeling that I learned so much.

The Work
I often see the work we do in the real world; We work on a lot of projects with companies where we ourselves are clients. So, sometimes, you are client of your client and you can use the tools that we deliver. While every project is exciting in some way, what I love most is my role as a lead in the Accenture Digital NEWomen program in Brazil. We network and work together on our actions to balance the gender mix at Accenture.

Reading and Rollerblading
To keep my digital technology skills fresh, I spend at least an hour every day studying. My favorite thing about working at Accenture is the possibility of learning about different industry segments, networking and seeing the results of digital transformation in big companies. And when I have free time, I make sure to do what I love: reading about history and culture, rollerblading, running and bodybuilding.

My Advice
Regardless of your career level or what you want out of life, always do things with love, and never lose your patience. Take positive points from adversity you face in your personal and professional life. At work, take care of your team, always be empathetic, and never pass over people in order to win. And always take your essence with you and help people.

Wayne Phelan, Accenture Digital
Gerente Senior, padre de 2 y corredor actual de carrera de conducción de carros TRV.

From auto racing to a successful career in digital technology, it’s about one thing: finding and focusing on your passion, and let it shine through everything you do.

As a Senior Manager, located in Sydney, I currently lead the Mobile App and Devices Studios in Australia, where we advise, design, develop and deliver customer-centric technology solutions for businesses. I wear many hats, from creating a work pipeline, managing the team and assisting with Digital requests for proposals to strategic growth planning for the Studio.

One of the most exciting projects I’ve worked on recently was a proof of concept (PoC) for a leading metal and mineral supplier where we surprised the client with a demo after having only had 1.5 days to research, design and develop an innovative worker task flow. We combined live facial recognition for login and gesture-driven navigation of an on-screen task flow, with text-to-speech for task confirmation. Currently, we’re working on a project that helps microbusinesses in developing countries to better understand their finances—with a great, positive impact on the success of their businesses and their wider communities.

A spirit of innovation fuels our work
We take a fresh approach at Accenture Digital, actively encouraging the spirit of innovation, collaboration and experimentation to stay at the forefront of understanding “the possible” for our clients and their users. I feel privileged, as I have the best of both worlds: a corporation of 430,000+ people to support the wider picture, while having a “home team” that allows me to keep the entrepreneurial spirit that drives the Studios.

Find your passion and balance
I used to race TVR Tuscan cars in Europe in my free time, but these days, I mainly focus on my children. They are currently three and five, and they regularly inspire and challenge me—with questions about everything. The workplace flexibility I have at Accenture is important to me, as I want to ensure good work-life balance.

If you’re interested in a career path in digital, have passion! Find inspiration in books; watch and listen to innovation videos and podcasts. Find something you’re passionate about in the digital space, and focus on it. Your passion will shine through in interviews, your workplace and your home life.

Melissa Smith, Accenture Digital
Consultora de Integración de Negocios, viaja por el mundo y ama los animales.

As someone who once played kayak polo in a Danish fjord, Melissa practices what she preaches: Be willing to learn new things and step out of your comfort zone.

As a Digital Consultant, I work as a liaison between clients and our technical teams that deliver mobility solutions—smartphones, smart watches, IoT products—that improve business performance.

One of the most exciting projects involved supporting farmers growing cotton in Australia. To bridge the gap between understanding the markers the farmers were monitoring and our technical team, I spent a day on the farm—even riding in the cab of a tractor. While our solution, which combined cutting-edge technology such as drone and satellite imagery, analytics of plant growth and augmented reality, was extremely user friendly, the science and technology is complex and innovative. To deliver exactly what the client wanted, I needed to speak the same language.

My work in mobility helps our clients safely get the most out technology. Having spent 2.5 years working on mobile security deployments, I’m extremely aware of the impact that security vulnerabilities and data breaches can have on the reputation of a company. Enterprise mobility management systems ensure safeguards are in place to protect corporate information on mobile devices. These measures could include passcodes, operating system and encryption requirements and the ability to remotely wipe corporate data if a device is lost or stolen.

At Accenture Digital, I work with some of the best and brightest people while getting firsthand experience with exciting technology. It’s a great combination. The team is supportive, and they always have my back. From my very first project as an analyst five years ago until now, whenever I’ve encountered a challenge, people are willing to lend a helping hand. I’m fortunate to work with a network of people that support me.

I enjoy volunteering and helping individuals develop a successful career as the co-lead for Accenture Digital’s Skills-to-Succeed Committee in Chicago. On the weekends, my husband and I volunteer at a local animal shelter. I also enjoy spending time with family and traveling as often as I can. Once, I even played kayak polo in a Danish fjord!

Markus Spiller, Accenture Digital
Director principal, autodenominado “Prehistórico digital”

As someone who brings the unusual, sometimes “crazy stuff” to the table, Markus thrives in the Accenture culture, where he can be himself—self-described as a little weird, curious and empathetic.

In my role as a Principal Director, I lead the Accenture Interactive Delivery User Interface and User Experience team in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. I take care of what you might say is the most important interface of our digital solutions: towards the end user.

The work

All the projects I’ve worked on each had an excitement of their own. From implementing a user-interface design team on a large-scale integrated web project to transforming a client’s complex, self-built software into something easy to interact with, they’re all unique and satisfying. I bring the unusual, the out-of-the-box and sometimes crazy stuff to the table. The Accenture team accepts me for what I am, and they value what I offer. Inspiration from teams and initiatives at Accenture fuels my natural curiosity, and I am always learning about new, exciting topics through the Accenture communities and unparalleled resources like our trainings library.

The inspiration

I would describe myself as a little weird, curious and empathetic. My big passions outside of work are free skiing (I’ve been an instructor for more than 30 years), music (especially punk and hardcore), tattoos and science fiction movies and literature. I love creativity and ideation, understanding the psychology and mechanisms that make people tick.

I started my career in the late ‘90s as a freelance web front-end developer, so I call myself not a digital native, but a “digital prehistoric.” Working for Accenture Digital has allowed me to bring my whole self, all my skills and interests, to work, and there are no limits to what role I can play.

Advice for career success

An employer is like the canvas for your career picture; it should offer the best surface, but it’s up to you to understand the art and have the creativity, vision and initiative to be the painter who crafts a masterpiece.

And one more thing: Learn to love and understand technology, as it’s the enabler of today’s most innovative digital products.

Sheetal, Accenture Digital
Diseñadora de Experiencias

Tell us about your work at Accenture.

I am an experience designer. Experience design is a human centric design practice that focuses on the engagement and satisfaction a user derives from a product or service and the relevance of the experience to their needs and context. This means that I make using technology an easy and meaningful experience. If I do my job well, you’ll enjoy using your favorite app and you’ll fondly remember it years later.

What does your typical workday look like?

My work primarily consists of learning new things and solving problems. My day starts with me checking my email. I then check my calendar and plan my day. My work involves user research, market research, ideation, wire framing and prototyping. If I need a focus group or a sounding board for my thoughts and ideas, I organize a fun workshop for my colleagues in our studio—and use that to produce quality output.

What is the one thing you like about working at Accenture?

The heart of this organization is its people. Accenture recognizes the individual—here, good work is appreciated and rewarded. Personal time is respected, hobbies are encouraged and there are plenty of opportunities for us to showcase a skill or learn a new one.

Tell us about what you like to do outside office?

Travel. Music. Comics. That’s what makes up my life outside the office. I travel in and around Bengaluru to a new place every other month. I enjoy trekking, adventure sports and the occasional cultural experience.

I am passionate about music and never miss my weekly lessons on Carnatic music. I also create a new comic every week on the life and adventures of my three dogs!

Currently, I’m enjoying growing my baby potato and tomato plants.

What advice would you give to students who are looking to start their career?

I’m a big believer in taking initiative when it comes to the workplace. The best advice I could give is to believe in the power hard work—it can lead to great things!