And yet there are people who remain loyal to an employer for decades - not out of convenience, but out of conviction. They are the backbone of companies, shape structures and make a decisive contribution to success. One of them is authorised signatory and project manager Ali Zahran, who has been a reliable part of Födinger Heizung Bad Klima for 26 years.
schongenial.at: How long have you been with the company?
Ali Zahran: I've been with the company for 26 years now - so over a quarter of a century. In this long time, I have experienced many developments: new technologies, growing customer requirements, an expanding team. But what really impresses me is that the core values have remained the same. We have always worked as a team, and this feeling of cohesion is something that sustains and motivates me.
schongenial.at: What prompted you to apply at the time?
Ali Zahran: At the time, I was looking for change and wanted to play an active role in shaping the company. The company was still small at the time, but full of energy and determination. It appealed to me to be part of it from the very beginning, to help build it up and to contribute my own ideas. I didn't just want to work "somewhere", I wanted to help build something - and this opportunity convinced me. Today, many years later, I am glad that I made this decision back then.
schongenial.at: How has the job profile changed over the years?
Ali Zahran: The changes have been enormous. In the past, the profession was strongly characterised by manual work - a lot of things were done with experience, paper and pencil. Today, digitalisation and modern systems are standard. You work with complex technologies, have to keep learning and remain flexible. This makes the work more demanding, but also more interesting. It never gets boring because there is always something new to discover.
schongenial.at: Are there things that have remained constant in contrast to this?
Ali Zahran: Yes, and that's the crucial thing for me: the team spirit. Whether apprentice or longstanding employee - everyone is taken seriously. This respectful and familiar working atmosphere is a core element and has not changed over the years. This provides security and a strong sense of belonging.
schongenial.at: What do you particularly appreciate about your employer?
Ali Zahran: The combination of tradition and progress. There is constant investment in innovation, be it in new technologies or in work processes. At the same time, people remain at the centre. You can feel that values such as trust, reliability and a down-to-earth attitude are not just buzzwords, but are practised. This combination makes all the difference.
schongenial.at: If you had to describe your employer in three words - what would they be?
Ali Zahran: Reliable. Down-to-earth. Future-orientated.
schongenial.at: Is there anything else that is important for you to mention?
Ali Zahran: For me, it is a great privilege to have witnessed the development of the company from the very beginning. A small craft business has become a modern company with several pillars. It fills me with pride that I have been able to accompany this journey and play my part in it. I am particularly pleased that the next generation is just as passionate about the business - that gives me hope for the future.
schongenial.at: Thank you very much for the interview.
