Takeoffs & Landings

Flash Interview with Tiago Silva

cs- Are you the type of person that needs to organize their luggage well in advance? Why? How does that compare to your work at Celfocus?

ts- No. I’m the type of person that organizes their luggage the day before. How does that compare to my job at Celfocus – it’s quite the opposite. If on one hand my luggage I prepare everything at the last minute, all my work at Celfocus is deeply prepared. Not just in the work I’m going to have with that client as well in the different areas I am involved in the project. This work requires lots of preparation and internal and external alignment before going on that trip.

cs- What advice would you give someone that is afraid of flying?

ts- It’s safer than travelling by car or train! Flying is super safe, and only in extremely rare scenarios do planes fall during the duration of the flight. Airplane trips carry two risk: taking off and landing. Those are two moments that require most attention. Let’s say that in all my trips and of all the miles accumulated, I've always landed safely.

The only thing you need to learn to do is SLEEP! Sleep will get you through long trips in no time.

cs- “Dead times” in trips are a waste of time or an opportunity? Why?

ts- “Dead times” are always an opportunity to rest. Some trips are so long, and you consume so much extra time that I started looking for night trips. It’s a trick – I look for what they call the red eyes. So that I can sleep during the flight and that way get through it. Meaning a trip that takes 14 hours, becomes 2.

cs- What is the location on earth that you’d like to close a deal for Celfocus? Why?

ts- Morocco! Because the trip to Casablanca is as long as a trip to Madrid, which means very close proximity and the people are extremely friendly. And of course, I’d spend great weekends doing off-road and even helping deliver projects and having a lot of fun with the rest of the team. All the attractions in Morocco are amazing! As we can see from Cristiano Ronaldo’s experience, who goes there often.

cs- Compare a strong sensation felt on a plane to an episode of your life at Celfocus.

ts- Strong sensations in planes may be due to stressful situations. I learned to be resilient to those moments. In comparison to my life at Celfocus, it’s comparable to Go-live moments. These moments, in Ghana and more recently in Kenya, are moments where you have to learn to be resilient because even when things aren't going as great, you have to keep flying.

cs- Do you prefer take offs or landings? Why?

ts- I prefer landings because I fall asleep before take-offs. It’s unbelievable, I know. But I’m always one of the first people on the plane, so I prepare my kit (pillow etc.) and I’m out. But landing is great, I like landing in new places. And when they aren’t new places, I’m glad to be back.

This is a tip for everyone who travels a lot – learn to love the arrival and never anticipate the departure.