Leonore Kostadinova has been a part of EMIS for 15 years, since May 1999. She is based in the company's Sofia office. “I started as an outsourced accountant and in June 2005 I was offered to take over the management accounts as well. I remember a cold February in 2008, when all of a sudden I got a proposal to become a sub-regional controller for EMEA. I had no idea what that was supposed to mean, but it’s never been in my nature to refuse challenges. I was promoted to POA for the Bulgarian office in March 2009 and in November 2012, I was made Regional Controller for Europe and the Middle East,” Leonore says. Before joining EMIS, she had worked for oil company Petreco.
What was your first day with the company like?
I can’t really recall my first day with the company as I did not work from the office initially. I still vividly remember my first meeting with the country manager of the Bulgarian office, Nikola Karandjulov. He asked me how I'd make a difference and I responded: “I'll have all answers on the spot and if I don't, I'll make sure to get them.” I believe I’ve kept my promise. Another vivid memory is the Christmas party in 1999. We played the “surprise present” game. We still play it.
Could you describe your typical working day?
Is this a joke?:)
Is there something you cannot work without?
My laptop and the radio on.
What is your greatest challenge at work?
Not to burn out and to be patient.
Would you share any of your favourite stories from your work life?
This is a difficult one. I’ll never forget the week when Elena Zaytseva came to Bulgaria to tutor me on Navision. This is when I realised I may actually learn to love accounting. The finance summit in Poland when I met all my colleagues from around the world and we sang on the night streets of Warsaw. Negotiations with Egypt lawyers and auditors... Launching NAV for Bulgaria and Romania – closing the office at 12.00 pm and asking the taxi drivers about restaurants that still serve food... Skype training on Magnitude... The dual working hours to keep up with both Bulgarian and U.S. time... Signing about 20 employment contracts a day and trying to remember names and faces... Meetings, calls, negotiations, tax audits...
What is your most memorable moment at EMIS?
The analysis for the EMIS expansion hub in Sofia.
Can you name your greatest success in your EMIS experience?
Building trust in Bulgaria, my office, my colleagues. And tutoring my staff to be much better than I am.
Could you share with us one local custom/celebration that you do at your local office?
Birthday parties – it is our custom to always celebrate the birthday of a colleague, regardless of the day of the week or how busy the day is. A mail will be sent to all, we’ll collect money for a present and ideally we would make the present really special. Christmas – with the “angels” week, when everyone has a secret angel doing nice things for them, the X-mas party and all the fun that goes with it.
If you could have one super power, what would it be?
Make changes happen.
If you had a year to spend doing anything you wanted, what would you do?
Travel the world with a book.
What is your favourite book/video game and why?
I’ve just recently remembered Night Train to Lisbon by Pascal Mercier – it makes me dream. I hate video games – would never waste my time on them.
What is your favourite music band and why?
I used to be crazy about Pink Floyd, Uriah Heep, Deep Purple, Sting, and jazz. But now I like to listen to everything new. My current favourite song is I See Fire by Ed Sheeran.
If you could learn any skill, what would it be?
Wisdom. And skiing.
Where do you think EMIS will be in another 20 years?
Among the first and the best.
If you had to sum up EMIS in one word, what would this word be?
Explosive.