How a chat about a cat got me to Australia

For some people a job is just a job. Somewhere you go to earn money to support yourself and your family. For others work is more than that, a place to be challenged, rewarded and acknowledged. For me, work is even more than that. For me, it is a place where I belong, where I am pushed to try new things and where, most of the time, it doesn’t even feel like work.

My career has been one in the fast lane. The story of a French Canadian who spoke very little English, who had seven roles in six years across three cities and two countries and became Director of People Analytics, Innovation and Rewards and AB InBev Asia–Pacific South.

My journey started in the Labatt brewery in Montreal, Canada. Within six months I had built a reputation as hard working, dedicated, driven and having initiative – overall an AB InBev kind of person.

An opportunity arose in the Toronto brewery and I was recommended, which surprised me as I couldn’t speak English very well and my future boss didn’t speak French. I got a message from her, saying she would ‘like to chat’. In French ‘chat’ translates as ‘cat’, so I was confused until I asked around the office. After a 30-minute conversation, in which neither of us understood much of what each other said (and no cats were mentioned!), I was offered the role.

I pushed myself through many steep learning curves and progressed my career. The person who took a punt on me in Montreal, also supported me in my move to Australia to work on the acquisition of SABMiller and CUB.

Our company believes that you can teach someone new tools and skills (like speaking English!) – raw talent can be shaped – but you can’t teach people to be committed, ambitious and entrepreneurial. AB InBev people take results seriously and personally. We are internally driven and always striving to be better and do better

At CUB we believe the impossible is possible. We move people at the pace of their talent. We’ve had graduates who have become senior managers within five years, or a VP in eight years. Our focus is on finding the right people and stretching them.

There are no traditional boundaries around promotion. It’s not based on tenure, or it being someone’s ‘turn’. It’s not about seniority. It’s about stretching people. There are no politics, processes or prejudices. We develop people by pushing them out of their comfort zone.

We genuinely value a workforce of talented and diverse people. Some of them move fast but others stay in roles for longer periods and bring valuable coaching, expertise and input. We have recognized that moving too fast isn’t always ideal, so have introduced a guideline to have people stay in their role for 18 months before being promoted or making a lateral move.

So, don’t come to CUB for a job, come for an exciting, fast-paced career of lifelong learning where you will develop and be challenged to push your boundaries. At CUB we ask a lot, but we offer great opportunities to grow. We can help make your impossible possible.

Visit our website to find out all the opportunities!