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What is it like to work at Avanade?
There’s no better place than Avanade if you want to see truly bleeding-edge technology in action. You get to see tomorrow’s solutions today, and share them with like-minded people who have your passion for technology. In my office you’ll often hear someone say, “Mate, look at this!” and they’ll show you something cool that they are working on. The unexpected happens around here and I love that.

 

Does Avanade look after its employees?
There are lots of opportunities for training in technical and softer skills at Avanade. Another really useful resource for me has been my mentor. This is someone senior in the business who keeps an eye on your progress and whom you can turn to for advice when needed. Also the flexible benefits package is great—it’s an allowance to equip yourself with all the latest gear.

 

What makes the “people” different here at Avanade than previous teams you may have been on?
The key thing that drives me at Avanade is that everyone else here is so good that you can’t afford not to be giving your best on any given day. I also have great ties to my virtual SharePoint teammates all over the world.

 

How does Avanade recognize you for your contributions?
I was lucky enough to be selected for TechSummit, which is an annual gathering of 300 Avanade technologists to discuss the latest developments in our areas. I visited the Microsoft Campus in Redmond, Washington, which was something I only could dream about a few years ago, and now that dream is reality. At this conference, I shared my ideas, learned from others, and met a lot of people whom I regularly talk to now. 

 

How do you balance work and your outside interests?
Being Brazilian, football is my religion. Unfortunately I can’t play these days due to a serious injury. As part of my rehabilitation, I started to cycle and soon that became my passion outside of work. I asked around in the office for fellow cyclists and we soon built up a keen cycling group in Australia. This cycling group has actually gone global and we now have 300 Avanade cyclists in our community from Japan, across Europe to the U.S. I also designed a cycling jersey for the guys to wear so we now have 300 adverts on two-wheels cycling the globe!

 

Why should people come and work for Avanade?
You work with great people and the best technology available. You also receive the training and mentoring to perform at the top level, and the support to help when you feel out of your depth. The benefits and projects are great, and the related opportunities to travel are amazing. I’m not looking to my next year at Avanade, but rather what I’ll be doing at Avanade in ten years’ time.