Our Ray of Sunshine in Reception | Andrea Weidhofer
The year is 2013. U.S. President Obama started his second term in office. Angela Merkel her third. Pope Benedict XVI was the first pope ever to resign from office.
And much more importantly, WEINMANN Emergency Medical Technology GmbH + Co. KG was founded and Andrea had her first day at work. It’s now 10 years that she’s been bringing joy to reception with a smile always on her face. She knows everyone, she knows everything, and without her everything would grind to a halt. Time for her to tell us about what she does and let us in on the highlights of the past few years!
Your first day at work was September 16, 2013. Do you still remember it?
Of course! I was incredibly excited and really nervous. But that’s normal for me whenever I face a new challenge. And I realized quickly that the was no reason whatsoever to be so nervous! There was a warm welcome, I got to know lots of really nice people straightaway, and then the induction phase kicked off fairly quickly.
I know exactly how I felt when you greeted me so warmly in reception eight years ago when I came for an interview. Since then, I can always come to you and know you’ll be willing to listen. Thanks for being such a caring person!
Janke TjarksSenior Marketing Manager
What do you do?
I spend sixty percent of my time on reception and am the telephone voice of the company so to speak. The other forty percent I spend on event management. At the same time I organize and coordinate a lot to do with meetings and administrative tasks. I look after guests and prepare events for the DACH region. I also look after internal events. Most recently I organized the summer festival and the MOPO relay race. And most importantly, I’m there to answer any questions and concerns colleagues might have.
What was the most defining moment for you over the past 10 years?
It’s got to be coronavirus. The phone never stopped ringing. I was the first person that apparently had the whole world on the end of the phone, from worried retirees, the embassy, right through to NATO. When I wanted to go to the restroom, I had to tell my colleague because you didn’t get a minute’s rest. You could write a book about it.
Many thanks for 10 years: Spreading joy and happiness, organization to perfection, fun and entertainment in reception!
Jörn MatthiesHead of Systems Test Engineering
What was the craziest call you ever got?
There’s been quite a few! But the one where I just have to laugh was the call from a carpenter’s workshop in Bavaria. The nice man had actually asked whether I could give him a few tips on how they could build ventilators. I thought it was a joke at first and asked whether he was being serious. And to my surprise he was being totally serious.
How would you describe WEINMANN Emergency in your own words.
We save lives. That’s what everybody says, but it’s what describes us best. I’m really happy to be fortunate enough to be part of this company and to experience this great sense of team spirit and community day after day.
What do you wish WEINMANN Emergency for the next 10 years?
Lots of exciting new innovations and may the knack of hiring the right new staff continue. We should also be prouder of what we do. I happen to know somebody that likes organizing parties!
There are people that make a difference. You do that every day! Thanks for that.
Markus MüllerVice President Sales & Services
Five quick facts about Andrea
- In my job you need to be able to multitask.
- My normal working day is packed with lots of lovely people, lots of conversations on the phone and in the office.
- My colleagues say I’m always in a great mood and know everything.
- WEINMANN Emergency is more than just an employer to me. It’s become a big part of my family.
- At the weekend I love going for walks along the Elbe.
