3 minute read
Meet Endress+Hauser’s Beverley Govender
In August, we recognise women for their contribution to industry and life in general. We met up with Endress+Hauser’s external sales specialist, Beverley Govender, to listen to what she has to say about being a woman in process automation for the food and beverage industry.
Q: WHAT IS YOUR CAREER BACKGROUND AND CURRENT JOB DESCRIPTION?
A: My career at Endress+Hauser started in 1999, as a service coordinator. Through hard work and dedication, I moved up and fulfilled different roles in different departments.
In 2008, I was appointed external sales specialist and I was the first female to embrace such a role at the time. I then progressed within the sales department and took on the role of supporting and advising plant builders and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC's) on instrumentation in process automation. In 2016, an opportunity for an external sales specialist: food & beverage industry arose in Gauteng.
Q: WHAT DOES YOUR TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE AND WHAT SATISFIES YOU MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB?
A: Pre-coronavirus pandemic things were obviously different. I used to visit customers on-site and had a lot of personal interaction, providing customers with innovative solutions to help them optimise their processes. Now our interactions are facilitated digitally via communication platforms such as Skype, MS Teams etc.
This is quite a big shift, but my goal is to deliver the same service and experience despite the current challenges. Ultimately customer satisfaction is what gives me complete fulfillment in my job and I also love interactions with customers.
Q: WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES FACED BY WOMEN IN THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE INDUSTRY? HOW COULD THIS BE OVERCOME?
A: Women are underrepresented, especially in senior positions and this is a major challenge. Women also continue to bear the challenge of balancing work and home responsibilities. I therefore would encourage the industry to intensify their support for work -life balance and also have a transformational agenda to empower and equip women with the relevant tools to enable growth and acceleration into senior positions.
Q: HOW DO YOU BALANCE WORK AND PERSONAL LIFE?
A: I am a career woman who is extremely ambitious and aspirational, but my moral compass knows when I am overcompensating.
The correct balance is extremely important for both spheres to survive and be successful. I treat my personal and family life like a crystal ball – if it shatters, it will be very hard to replace.
So, I take utmost care of my role as a wife, mother, sister and daughter. My work life is like a rubber ball – always bounces back. While work is exceptionally important, we are always faced with different challenges.
The trick is to find an objective way to overcome and learn from these.
Q: ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE YOU AS A WOMAN, AND WHY?
A: Supportive – I am exceptionally supportive and generous with my time in my personal and work capacity to see other women achieve success.
Q: WHAT IS MOST SPECIAL ABOUT THIS YEAR’S WOMEN’S DAY?
A: I think this year speaks for itself. With the current pandemic and lockdown, women had to quickly adjust to working from home where they are also surrounded by family responsibilities at the same time. It is difficult, but women have once again shown the resilience and rose to the occasion. It is important, now more than ever, to recognise and celebrate the success of women.
Q: WHAT WOMEN-RELATED CHALLENGE WOULD YOU TAKE ON TO HELP OR SUPPORT OTHER WOMEN?
A: I do not subscribe to the Pull her Down (PHD) Syndrome. Therefore, I am forever willing to mentor and support other women to achieve their career aspirations. As a mother of a girl child, I would like to pay it forward knowing that one day another woman will help my daughter achieve success.
Q: WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO YOUR YOUNG SELF?
A: Be more confident and take more risks.
Q: YOUR WOMEN’S DAY MESSAGE?
A: Thank you to the incredible and brave women before us who paved the way. Let us all choose to empower, love and support each other. Happy Women’s Month! •
