Every role within our organisation contributes uniquely to our collective success and we want to celebrate and showcase the incredible talent that drives our mission forward. That’s why we’re excited to introduce our new blog series, "A Day in the Life", where we’ll be giving you an insider’s look into the daily routines, challenges and triumphs of various positions within Pwrteams. Each edition will feature a different role, offering a detailed narrative of a typical working day. From early morning meetings and collaborative brainstorming sessions to the intricate problem-solving and innovative thinking that characterise our work. Whether you’re a prospective employee curious about a specific job opening and the company culture, a current team member looking to learn more about your colleagues, or simply someone interested in the dynamic world of our industry, this series is for you.
To kick off these series we had a chat Marcin Paluchowski, a Hardware Team Lead at team Besix Unitec's team at Pwrteams. Check out his answers below to find out what a typical work day for him looks like.
How did you come into this position? What was your previous background?
Overall, my background has always been in electrical design, including work in all phases - conceptual development, calculations, design, arrangements, quotation, implementation. I have initially worked in Polish design offices, later on seizing the opportunity to work in a larger international corporation.
I guess thеse couple of years of grinding and gaining experience made me an interesting pick for Pwrteams (back then the company was known as Skelia in Poland) when a new client was acquired - Besix Unitec (back then - Agidens Infra Automation). After a year of strictly Computer Aided Design (CAD) work, I was promoted to a Team Lead, which is the position I hold currently.
How does your typical day at Besix Unitec's team look like?
Days usually start with some organizational stuff – daily task planning, contacting people in Besix for progress updates, then checking if the team is properly occupied. Usually, there is an internal meeting planned - either a weekly team kick-off meeting on Mondays or one-on-one catch-ups with team members. The rest depends on the current demand - either more meetings/communication and arrangements or good old-fashioned design work (usually BIM design).
Sadly, my current position often forces me to drop hands-on electrical installations design tasks in favour of planning-related and organisational calls and messages, but these are essential to keep the office running.
What’s your favourite part of the job?
Besides the baseline of continuous design work in electrical installations, which is something I still enjoy doing very much, my actual favourite part is that this office is constantly evolving, and the direction of development depends on us.
We started out as a very limited drafting support, showed our value, got more designing freedom, and extended the range of software we use. Soon enough we took over most of the drawing workload and are currently venturing into electrical engineering. Goals were set up and with time, patience and diligence we got where we wanted to go. It seems like the sky's the limit and this is a very encouraging perspective.
And the most challenging?
The most challenging part is keeping everyone motivated and in good spirits. It’s hard work to build and maintain a team that actually feels like a team and not a random set of strangers that just happen to occupy the same space.
It’s also laborious to sustain the office as a unit - to secure enough workload, to expand the development possibilities and to grow the team whilst trying to establish quality standards and control the organisational chaos that, just like a comic book villain, pops up in the frame from time to time and tries to wreak havoc.
What new skills have you picked up on this position?
Becoming a Team Leader presented me with insight into, in crude terms, „how the sausage is made“. Be warned - it can be fascinating, but also pretty ugly.
This position provides a unique perspective on how things are viewed by the frontline workers and how - by the higher up managers. The Team Lead needs to be the middleman.
I’ve found that every issue ever reported while working has always been a simple case of misunderstanding. Both sides of any confrontation actually want the same result and they sometimes need a little help in finding a common ground. I was made aware that openness and clear communication is always key.
So, I guess what I want to say is that my diplomacy and persuasion skills improved.
What makes it so great being part of the Besix Unitec team?
Besix Unitec is the first company I’ve worked with that really does make a point to care for your work-life balance - and it’s not just an empty phrase on a motivational poster somewhere in the office. They do mind your wellbeing and are willing to adjust to your rhythm and expectations, if they are within common sense, of course.
Additionally, during my career I had the opportunity to work with international partners from different parts of the world and I can honestly say that Besix Unitec is the first one that makes me feel like an equal, an integral part of the company (even though to them we’re actually contractors). They consider the opinions and suggestions we provide and value our expertise. This is a feeling experienced by every new coworker we get.
These two points make the cornerstone of why it’s so great to be part of Besix Unitec’s team at Pwrteams.
What do you like the most about being part of the Pwrteams family?
Pwrteams, in itself, is a walking and living contradiction, and I love it. You’re a Pwrteams' employee that’s being outsourced to one of the company’s clients, but you never feel it. It may seem that Pwrteams has all the characteristics of an international corporation, but you hardly ever get the feeling of being part of the corporate world. The company never limits you in any way; it only supports you and provides footing when necessary.
There is a constant feeling of being a vital part of the company, actively contributing to its development, rather than just being a figure on the monthly payroll. This notion makes working for Pwrteams feel like being employed in a family business and not a soulless corporation.
Keen to work together with amazing professionals like Marcin? Check out our vacancies and apply.
