Finding treasures in flexibility and collaboration
Fan Zhang is a team manager at Aleido in China. His desire to broaden his horizons led him from China to the United States, to working for Aleido. When the pandemic hit, he had to put his plans to continue exploring the world on hold. He found that even though things may not always go as planned, with adaptability and positivity, they may turn out to be blessings in disguise.
Adapting plans in a pandemic world
In late 2019, I returned to Qingdao after 7 years in Los Angeles, intending to pursue an MBA at the University of California Irvine. But the Covid-19 outbreak disrupted those plans. Separated from my wife in the US, it took until October 2020 to reunite in Shenzhen. Facing a decision between my chosen city and Shanghai, my wife's fashion mecca, we chose Shanghai—leading me to Aleido.
Knowing the direction and just going for it
Back in 2010, while working as a field engineer, I felt drawn to the opportunities in the US. Memories of childhood favourites like the Backstreet Boys and "Friends," combined with my namesake, NBA player Allen Iverson, inspired me to pursue a master’s in electrical engineering. Despite the challenges of unfamiliar tests and applications, my direction was clear. After completing my master’s and gaining valuable experience as a project manager in the US, pursuing an MBA seemed like the next logical step.
Looking back, I never second-guessed those decisions. I value both the achievements and the lessons—they've defined the person I've become.
"What truly shines is our flexibility, showcased through our multinational setup and global delivery network. This sets us apart in the telecom and automotive projects I oversee, ensuring we meet customer needs effectively."
Aleido: a treasure trove of opportunities
Having worked in diverse settings, from a Chinese state-owned company to an American firm and a start-up, I see Aleido as a treasure trove. Our people-oriented culture and collaborative environment are the diamonds and gold I've discovered here.
What truly shines is our flexibility, showcased through our multinational setup and global delivery network. This sets us apart in the telecom and automotive projects I oversee, ensuring we meet customer needs effectively. This setup not only boosts resource flexibility, but also fosters growth through mentorship and knowledge-sharing within our global competence network.
Additionally, our "One China" strategy, spanning more than 8 cities, emphasizes competence over location. Post-pandemic, we're leveraging this to create synergies across departments. This approach not only adds agility to our projects but also offers team members diverse opportunities for professional development across industries and customers.
FACTS
Name: Fan Zhang
Title: Team Manager with Aleido China
Education: BSc in Computer Science, MSc in Telecommunications, New Jersey Institute of Technology
Worked at Aleido since: 2021
What kind of possibilitarian are you: I try to see the bigger picture and think forward. The difficult part is to find the reason, the root cause, the need and the goal. As long as I have the goal and direction, I will aim for the target, and take action.
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