I like to save people, so I aimed to be an HR person--Fabian Charles 【Baridi Baridi employee interview vol.2】

This time, we invited Fabian Charles who is in charge of Human Resources Officer in Baridi Baridi Tanzania.

Baridi Baridi members appearing in this interview

Fabian Charles
Born in Geita region. Learned bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management at Mwalimu Nyerere Memorial Academy. After graduating, experienced in HR management as an internship at the first company. After changing jobs and experienced as an HR officer, joined Baridi Baridi in April 2021.

Shuto Sakai (Interviewer/Editor)
Currently a graduate student at Kobe University. Joined Baridi Baridi as an intern in October 2020. Experienced working as an intern at Baridi Baridi Tanzania from August to October 2021. 

Key word is "Saving people"

--Thank you for having time! Today, I would like to ask you about your work at Baridi Baridi. 

Fabian: Thank you too. 

--First, I would like to ask about your career. Is Baridi Baridi a third company for you?

Fabian: Right. 

--I see. Every time you worked as an HR person? 

Fabian: Yes.

--I want to know why you are interested in HR?

Fabian: Ok, first of all, before I started my bachelor's degree, I liked to save people. I always feel happy when someone is successful because of some help from different people, so when I save a person and he becomes successful regarding his task or help, I feel happy while doing so. I was dreaming that one day I could be in a position where I could save other people.

--Do you have any episode of “saving people"?

Fabian: While I was in high school, I discovered my passion for serving people, whereby I was a school academic leader, and I liked helping and facilitating my fellow students to be successful. When they achieved, I became happier. 

That's when I thought that I needed a job that would require me to help others in their achievements, and it's where I discovered HR is a position that suits me the most.  

--I see. I understand why you have been consistently aiming to become an HR person. By the way, there's one more thing that might be a little off-topic. I know you are good at inspiring other members. For instance, you did an excellent job as an MC at the 1st-anniversary party. Do you like that kind of role? 

Fabian: Actually, I like talking with people. I like presenting. I can say other parts like MC job because it involves people for a long time.

(He acts as a facilitator at the morning assembly every Monday.)

--Good! In Japan, I think that HR is too serious, but looking at Fabian, I have a very good impression that you are diligent and cheerful.

 I want to be a part of  a growing company as an HR person

--Then, what brought you to Baridi Baridi?

Fabian: Ok, first of all, you know, when you work somewhere and reach a certain period I thought, "maybe I need something new challenges like that." 

--Were there any problem with the previous company? 

Fabian: No, I was just searching. 
When you are searching, for some jobs, you find different companies, right? Like which one can be interested. After searching, I found this business is slightly different from the former, and it's new.

I understood that this is a good thing for the company; it is new, and it is starting to ensure company growth. So I thought in the future it will be my honor to be here that Baridi Baridi is a big company almost to all Africa, and all world as well. Regarding the vision of the company and business strategy, I think it is different from other companies, so I became interested in the new technology company. Then I thought I would be part of members who make some effort to ensure Baridi Baridi's growth.

--When you decided to join Baridi Baridi, did you imagine our business expansion?

Fabian: Yes, I imagined expanding this company in the future, you can say that it will be a big company, you see it will have to employ many people from different areas. And I felt honored to be a part of that.

--I see, you wanted to be an HR person of a big company?

Fabian: Yes, and also one among the people who are starting with the big company.

What Fabian think about the important thing of HR

--What is the important thing about the HR department for you?

Fabian: First of all, the important thing is the issue of recruitment-the people who match our vision and company goals. For instance, if we bring people who have different goals or do not match with the company's vision, we will not reach our goals. So, I always make sure their professionals are in their position. There is "Work as professional" as a part of our shared values.

The second thing is to make sure that each person achieves or does what they have to do. For instance, we hear a person in the software team, to make sure that what the person can, what the person is required to do, and if the person is able to perform their duties one after another. For instance, the marketing team does their jobs, the accountant team does their job well, the technicians do their job well, and in total now we can achieve the company goals.

--I see, you are conscious of two things, hiring and making sure that each member can perform their abilities.

Fabian: Yes, right. 

--I want to ask for more detail about hiring.  When you do job interviews, what point do you see about the candidate?

Fabian: The first issue is skills and knowledge regarding their position, which is the most important point. Therefore, for each interview, we normally invite the department leader or department supervisor to be there to measure the skills and knowledge regarding positions requirements.

The second thing we consider is personality. We need people who will meet our shared values; “Bright and cheerful.”, “Integrity to people and society.”, “Speed matters”, “Work as professional." So in interviews, I always look at the personality of the candidate.

And also, the last thing we usually check is what talent the person has, what important thing, or what uniqueness this person has. These will be very important to the company.

Baridi Baridi members have made me even more honest

--How have you grown as a person since joining Baridi Baridi?

Fabian: The first thing is the use of systems like Zoho (a cloud-based customer management system). For instance, in the previous company, there was the part of systematizing in the previous company, but not much. 

But, currently, I can manage many things in Zoho. This system simplifies some of the tasks, especially on the HR side. Performance management is conducted in Zoho, and people can submit their self-appraisals. Also even attendance and leave management are in Zoho, so using this system is very good. 

And also, my previous supervisor “Ayu” who motivated me much in using this system inspired me to understand the importance of how it works and now I can manage it in Zoho.

Another way I feel I've grown is honesty and “Integrity to the people and society.” I see every person here is very honest to other people has made me even more honest with everyone I meet at work and even at home. This is because of the members of Baridi Baridi who greeted me properly even before the work started.

My dream is to become a person in a high-level position of HR officer

--Finally, I think Baridi Baridi is going to expand our business. So then, from now,  what is the goal as an HR team?

Fabian: Ok, my role is to support all other employees. As an HR side, one of the goals I have is to implement an HR plan. HR plan will ensure that we are planning for the people who will get recruiting regarding the requirement. So, with a good plan, it will make sure that we fill all their procedures and get good people to fill the positions which will help the company reach its goals, without that one, the company can’t achieve goals.

 For instance, if the company requires five technicians, but is not there, technicians are not enough. So that means the services cannot be done. So from the HR side, it will be a deficit of employees. We will hire more to make sure we go that trend of business. If the company requires more workforce, make sure that workforce is available at the time.

And also, another important thing is making sure that each and every person in this company is doing what they are is supposed to do with fulfilling their duties, which will make sure that the company reaches its goals.

--You said earlier that the important thing for the HR department is to recruit and empower people. Does that mean you will continue to do that?

Fabian: Right.

--I see. Last question, I want to know your individual goals. What are your goals?

Fabian: Ok, my dream is to become a person in a high-level position of HR officer, that’s means  I want to be an HR manager of a large number of employees. I would like to manage a wide scope of employees. And apart from that, my dream is one day to have my own house and car!

--Thank you for receiving the interview today! Do you have a message to Baridi Baridi members?

Fabian: Baridi Baridi Tanzania will be a big company, covering different places in Africa or the whole world. Employees in each position to do their tasks more professionally, add more ideas, and use their skills and talents. These can be potential in the future.

And also, for the people outside there. Baridi Baridi provides equal opportunity for people who want to join. Please read it on our website!

The Baridi Baridi Times will be posting interviews with Baridi Baridi employees on note.
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