AD Astra - A day with Harry Bakas
As the final team project for the Leadership and EQ lab of ADandPR Lab, we had the unique opportunity to become the “shadow” of a leader in his workplace, that is closely observing his day-to-day responsibilities. It was truly an overwhelming experience for all of us, as we had the chance to observe Harry Bakas, Head of Marketing in Xerox, a truly interesting and informative manager!
So, what is really Job Shadowing? Well, job shadowing is the learning process in which the employee works with an employer, who has the capacity to teach and to help better understand the necessities of the job, the organization, and the human behaviors. Many organizations follow this tactic of Job Shadowing as a successful way of learning the knowhow.
Xerox
Xerox is a technology leader in innovation and business convenience through the creation and integration of software and equipment for small and large businesses. Inventor of photocopying, ethernet and other innovative solutions, Xerox has been one of the shapers of modern work experience for decades.
With more than 35,000 employees and 5,000 associates in 160 countries, number one in sectoral exhibitions in print management services and with $ 11 billion in revenue worldwide, Xerox goes far beyond the Greek data, although in Greece its presence stands out in sector of.
In terms of its services, Xerox offers the ability to connect the analog world to digital, allowing companies to work together securely and offer more features to their customers. In addition, it is an innovative organization, which automates and personalizes solutions that increase productivity and customer satisfaction, making communications simpler and easier than ever. One of the most important services offered by Xerox is of course printing, offering a huge range of printers and multifunction devices.
As team we had the chance to meet the Head of Marketing of Xerox, responsible for accounts in the Middle East and Africa, Harry Bakas. Harry Bakas is responsible for defining and developing the strategy in the Middle East and Africa, establishing the appropriate marketing approaches in order to achieve business objectives, grow the brand awareness and generally to assure the general pleasure of the customer.
The leadership of Harry Bakas’ position covers a wide range of marketing for Xerox, such as Digital Marketing, Marketing Operations, Brand Marketing campaigns, Financial Promotions, events, and PR activity.
Some of Harry Bakas’ characteristics are his creativity and strategic way of thinking, the knowledge of handling omnichannel marcomms in business to business and business to customer environments, his experience in the fields of entertainment and technology, being the founder of Echo FM but also having worked as Marketing Director at Sony Music, before being hired as an account director at Minimedia Agency and then as Marketing and Communications Manager at Xerox.
A day with Harry Bakas
9:00 Arrival at the company’s offices
9:00–10:00 Check & process e-mail
10:00–11:30 Teleconference with MEA Marketing team -Information on developments in current issues, design of new actions, assignment of tasks and definition of relevant timetables.
11:30–12:30 Teleconference with members of the Xerox Emirates marketing team Discussion on the latest details regarding the “Gulf Print & Pack” Exhibition in Dubai
12:30–14:00 Design of a sustainability program (“Sustainable MEA” Program)
14:00–14:30 Lunch break 14:30- 15:00 E-mail control & processing
15:00–16:30 Online certification provided by the American Association of National Advertisers
16:30–17:30 Teleconference with the Distributor Mindware Check and discuss the plan of local marketing actions by the end of the year.
17:30 Departure from the company’s offices
OUR EXPERIENCE
We had the opportunity to follow closely what the job of a man who holds a leading role in the company he works for is like and to see what a whole day is like with him. It was also noteworthy for us the fact that we were given the opportunity to attend two teleconferences of Mr. Bakas, one on the briefing on the sustainable development of the Marketing Team of the Middle East, where, among other things, it included the planning of new actions, the assignment of tasks and the definition of relevant timetables. , as he told us his purpose is to constantly improve his skills, while, finally, we were lucky enough to attend the second teleconference with Mindware, in which the plans of the marketing actions until the end of this year were discussed. We had a very constructive and interesting interview with Mr. Harry Bakas, who was extremely understandable, explanatory, and helpful throughout our presence in the company. We got a first taste of what it means to be in a working environment, the difficulties that, as it is logical, one encounters in the workplace, but we also saw up close the ability of a person to direct his colleagues towards improvement. It was an unforgettable experience and we thank both Mr. Bakas, who gave us the opportunity “to become his shadow”, and Mrs. Iordanoglou, coordinator of the “Leadership and EQ Lab”, without whom we would not have the opportunity to get to know Job Shadowing and apply it in real working conditions.
AD Astra team: Αγγελική Κλήμη Melina Makridi Eirini Samoli Ellen Kakkava Spyros Vortelinos
Special thanks to our professor Dimitra Iordanoglou
