Welcome back to our employee spotlight series! We hope you enjoy getting to know the diverse and unique talent we have the pleasure to work with everyday.
In this post, we get to know Aïcha, Head of Consumer Insights based in Boston, US.
Let’s dive in! What do you do at Opensignal?
I joined the company 8 months ago to bolster our consumer insights capabilities. Opensignal is well known for its independent data analytics, explaining what’s happening on mobile networks. My job is to shine a light on the ‘why’: why consumers are choosing one provider over the other, why they make the decisions they do, and what their drivers are.
These insights provide an additional layer and color to our data, allowing us to build a holistic picture on the state of telecoms around the world.
What do you love most about your role?
The illuminating insights. Being able to augment our data analytics capabilities with actionable insights on consumer behavior really feeds into my inherent curiosity about the human psyche. I also really love my team and how flexible we are in supporting each other.
What do you find unique about working at Opensignal?
I’ve never been able to use the word ‘genuine’ to describe a company before. Until now.
We’re a big company but we manage to make it feel like a startup - the energy, the way we work together, the proximity to leadership. Let me give you an example. When I joined the company, we had a round of introductions with every member of the executive leadership team, with an ‘ask me anything’ Q&A at the end. From day one, it conveyed to me how genuine Opensignal is about connecting with its employees and this feeling inspires me personally to do better because I know my efforts will be recognized.
How did your journey with consumer insights start?
In another life, I would’ve been a psychologist. I love talking with people, and more importantly, I love listening. After I finished my MBA, there were several paths I could choose to embark on but the one I felt could provide that human connection I was looking for was market research and insights. So I dove head first, and joined a role in the healthcare sector.
As my career grew so did my purview and skillset, expanding into data analytics, competitive intelligence, and user experience research across a range of industries from retail through to telecommunications.
You’re also a public speaking coach. How did that come about?
The ability to tell stories, to convey messages concisely, effectively, with confidence… In my opinion, these skills are vital in today’s world. So I trained myself to become a professional speaker, and have since turned that passion into public speaking coaching. It gives me the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life, help them articulate their story, and see their confidence grow… it’s a hugely rewarding experience.
How do you recharge your batteries?
I’m blessed to have a fantastic family. I have 13 nieces and nephews, ranging from 4 months to 22 years. There's something about being around younger people that revives my energy. Discovering and experiencing the world through their eyes really fills my cup after a long week.
What is something you couldn’t live without?
Prayer. Others may call it meditation, or just a dedicated time set aside to focus on yourself, block out the world, and sit in your own mind for a little bit. For me, it’s a chance to ground and center myself, an opportunity to recalibrate.
What was the last book you read?
The Essential Rumi. When I read, I read to enjoy. This book allowed me to step out of the daily grind, transport my mind and forget about the day to day. It portrays a beautiful way of looking at life.
If you could meet anyone in the world who would it be?
I would love to meet myself in 15 years and ask her: Did you do what you said you were going to do? Did you make a difference?
I would love to know if I managed to maintain the grit and the courage to continue to be a positive and a progressive source of inspiration for the people around me today.
What’s your favorite place in the world?
My family compound in Senegal. I immigrated to the US when I was nine years old, but my entire extended family lives in Senegal. And I have this beautiful picture in my mind: I’m sitting in our courtyard, watching my family’s four peacocks as they dance and fan their gorgeous feathers. The environment is so sobering, humbling and centering. I absolutely love being back there.
Interested in learning more about the Opensignal team? In our recent employee spotlights we get to know more about Ryan, a CAI manager, Sam, a Senior Analyst, Lisa, a Data Scientist, Harley, a Customer Success Specialist, Yi En, a Customer Success Manager, and Cristian, a Senior Software Development Manager.
Want to know more about Opensignal? Have a look at our About page or browse around the Careers page to find your next opportunity!
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