Suggestions
Christine Ashimwe
Ex-Founder|Strategist|Global Health Corps & Duke alumni
Christine Ashimwe is currently the Acting Sales & Marketing Manager at Zamura Feeds Ltd, a position that involves overseeing the company's sales strategies and marketing initiatives. In addition to her role at Zamura, she serves as an Advisor to the Managing Director for the Africa Sustainable Agriculture Project and has experience as an Investment Analyst.12
Her professional background highlights her involvement in sustainable agriculture and investment analysis, which complements her responsibilities in sales and marketing within the agricultural sector. This combination of roles suggests a strong focus on both operational management and strategic growth in agriculture-related businesses.
Highlights
A few months ago (though it feels like a lifetime), I took a leap and raised my hand for the Sales and Marketing Manager role as an interim lead. Little did I know what awaited me in the world of sales. I walked in thinking all I needed were strategies, and everything would magically fall in place, but as the saying goes, "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face." Well, consider me officially 👊
Transitioning from an analytical, behind-the-scenes role to the fast-paced world of sales and operations has been one of the most challenging experiences of my career. On most days, I’m running on 4-5 hours of sleep, juggling multiple tasks, and trying to stay ahead of trends.
It's tough work but I am learning a ton. Here are some tidbits from my roller coaster of an experience so far:
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The loudest voices don’t always have the most to say 🙂 . I used to think I had all the answers, but stepping into this role quickly humbled me. I realized how much I didn’t know and how my previous ideas were often based on assumptions 💭 made from behind a computer screen. Being in the field has shown me the true scale of the market and its endless possibilities.
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Pacing is essential, especially as an introvert in a people-facing role. I’ve learned (been forced to accept) that I will not the kind of leader who can be present in person every single day. Unfortunately, I need time to recharge if I want to be here longer. Though in all honesty, finding that time has been a struggle but hey, it’s a work in progress 💪
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Leadership requires stepping out from behind the desk 🖥 . There’s a vast world out there 🌎 —clients and industry players bigger than I ever imagined. As a person who has built a career on analyzing and writing reports, being in the field myself has given me a sharpness and empathy towards to my team that I could have never had had I just confined myself to computer work 💻 . Every time I now think of shutting myself off to world, I have to keep reminding myself that real sales leadership and genuine insights come from a mix of research/strategizing and being out in the field, not just observing from a distance(...a trait I have to unlearn as a seasoned ex-analyst/strategist).
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I can't do everything all the time, and that's fine. For the past couple of months, my hyper independence had me doing every part of this job and as you can imagine, a lot of things fell through the cracks. Going into this week, I am forcing myself to take a step back and nurture/train my team to do a lot of things that I have been stubbornly holding onto. With me out of the way, they can grow and I get to run the ship and make sure we check off all the boxes.
All in all, the journey has been intense, the learning curve is steep. I’m embracing challenges as they come and doing my very best to keep my head above the water. Here’s to continued growth and navigating this new chapter! Fingers crossed, send prayers my way 🙏
We did it folks! We finally got me a motivational speaker spot this weekend🚀 Yesterday, I had an amazing time at Gashora Girls Academy of Science and Technology discussing mental health, college and careers with the bright young girls. It felt nostalgic being back in the room with students full of ambition and questions about the future. I couldn’t stop thinking that I was where they are just a few years back! (Well, 8 to be precise😅😅) I remember thinking, just like them, that I had to have life figured out by then with a good school, heck even a whole defined career path lined up🧑🏾💼🧑🏾💼. But the truth is, there was and still is a whole lifetime ahead to explore and grow. I knew so little about my own self, interests and even less about what is I could do and get to really like at the time. Thank GOD nobody cemented me in my first career or subject I really liked in school because I would be very miserable today. My life took so many turns and I am all the better for it!
To any graduates or soon to be graduates, I hope you realize that life doesn't start or end after graduation. Remember:
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It's okay not to have it all figured out yet. Most of us really haven’t either, and maybe that’s the beauty of it. We keep going, making one mistake after another, learning from it and doing it all over again. That’s how we learn and find out what works! 💪🏾
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With a bit of time, things do get better. The only difference between you and us in the working world is time and exposure. So, while you can, follow your curiosity, try your hand at everything that piques your interest and see what sticks. You might really be surprised what you end up learning about the world and your own capabilities!
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Lastly, yes, be passionate, yes have your heart set out on things, but leave a little room for surprise✨Like I said, who knows what cool things you can accomplish if you don’t box yourself into one set life path? Just saying, there is so much life we all haven’t lived yet, your best version is very much yet to come. Have the guts to take a chance when you can!
Okay, I’ll end this long post here, thanks for coming to my first TedTalk🤗🤗
#careerTalks
