To foster better connections and learn about the experiences of our new colleagues during their initial months at SynTech Research Group, we interviewed three team members about their first impressions of the company.

Meet Our Colleagues:

• Mbissane Sarr: As an Experimental Unit Coordinator in the GEP department, Mbissane has been with SynTech since April 2024. He is based in Portets, France.
• Claudia Fischer: Serving as a Human Resources Manager for GAB Consulting, our regulatory services branch, Claudia joined SynTech in February 2024. She is located in Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany.
• Shawn Rider: Shawn is the Finance Manager overseeing SynTech’s operations in North America. He joined the group in August 2023 and works from Kansas, United States.

What made a good impression on you when you started at SynTech?

Mbissane: I was impressed by all the work that had been done upstream by the managers and also the HR department to ensure a speedy integration. The roles of each employee are well defined, you have a question, and you know exactly where to turn for an answer.

Claudia: I was really impressed by the digital organization and the numerous virtual teams, which I had not experienced before in my professional life. This structure offers so many advantages and flexibility that you can easily combine your work and family life.

Shawn: My first impression was the welcoming atmosphere by my coworkers.  Everyone was friendly and offered help with understanding the various activities of the company.  My finance colleagues spent additional time helping me learn the financial reporting process.

How are you settling in SynTech so far?

Mbissane: I feel great, I’m in the middle of season and everything is going well.

Claudia: It already feels that I have been here a lot longer. I had a great introduction and was able to gradually familiarize myself with topics, which made it easy for me to get started – despite new activities, that I was not familiar with. My manager and colleagues helped me lot in the beginning and of course, they are still there when I need them. I really enjoy working with all of them.

Shawn: Overall, the experience has been positive. The team has been supportive in helping to learn the department processes and I’m looking forward to learning more details about all company departments.

Any recommendations to newcomers?

Mbissane: You must be curious and ask questions of your Managers, Project Manager before to start trials and fields technicians. Working in the field is a fascinating job, so you must be passionate to progress.

Claudia: Always be positive when facing new tasks and just ask when you have questions, your team will be happy to help and support you.

Shawn: Do not hesitate to ask questions. It can be about your role, company policies or other departments within the company.

Was there a challenge that you had to face coming into the company?

Mbissane: Every trial is a challenge, according to all  fields technicians. However, opening an experimental site a month before the GEP audits was a real challenge.

Claudia: For many HR matters you need do deal with country-specific labor laws and regulations and of course, I still learn some new rules every day, that I was not familiar with. As I was mainly working nationally in the German market, I really like getting to know the differences and similarities. Due to the fact, that within the GAB organization we have around 55 employees but spread in over 10 different countries, it is very challenging but never boring.

Shawn: I started at a very busy time and had many urgent tasks which needed to be completed around the same time.  I was able to complete all tasks with help from my colleagues, creating a project list and diligently worked on each task until everything was completed.

What do you like most about working at SynTech?

Mbissane: That’s a hard question to answer. I like the fluid relationship between fields technicians and Project Manager. We mustn’t forget that we’re in the same boat, we have a single common objective.

Claudia: I enjoy the great collaboration with the whole team and as well the friendliness and open-mindedness for new ideas. Personally, the most I appreciate the flexibility as I am working only part-time.

Shawn: I enjoy the people the most. Everyone is friendly and willing to help even if it is not within their department.

Any other comments/input you wish to share?

Mbissane:  It would be very interesting to organize an integration day at the La Chapelle for all newcomers.

Claudia: I am really looking forward to continuing to work on my topics and I would like to help advance the company in HR matters. I am sure the best is yet to come…

Shawn: A job is only as good as the people you work with. I would not stay at a job if I did not enjoy being around my colleagues. I knew SynTech would be a great place to work after meeting the people I would interact with every day.