“'Dynamic' and 'agile' are the two words that truly encapsulate my role"
As a cross-cell architect, Vishal designs solutions for our marketing teams, aiming to simplify their tasks and ensure high-quality customer data so they can target the right audience at the right time with the right message.He arrived in Germany to join ALDI SOUTH and started his job on the very day he set foot here. And to top it all off, during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this interview, he talks about his ALDI SOUTH journey so far and reveals more about his everyday working life.
Before you sweep us away into your workday, could you just introduce yourself briefly and tell us how long you’ve been with ALDI SOUTH?
Vishal: I am Vishal Kumar Jha, a person with Indian roots and German efficiency. I arrived in Germany with my job as a cross-cell architect at ALDI SOUTH and started work at the company on the very day I set foot here, on 1 October 2021. I live in Mülheim an der Ruhr with my wife and our adorable dog, Fluffy. My journey at ALDI SOUTH thus far has been amazing from all perspectives.
What does a typical workday look like for you as a cross-cell architect, assuming there is such a thing? Give us an example of what your daily schedule might look like.
Vishal: My day is filled with exciting tasks, primarily revolving around solution design and impact analysis based on market trends. I design solutions for our marketing teams, aiming to simplify their tasks and ensure high-quality customer data so they can target the right audience at the right time with the right message. My objective is to enable marketers to run their campaigns smoothly and efficiently.
What would you say defines your role as a cross-cell architect?
Vishal: “Dynamic” and “agile” are the two words that truly encapsulate my role. There are instances of complete clarity, but at times, last-minute changes are necessary. Embracing change with an agile mindset is essential in such scenarios.
What impact do you want to have at ALDI SOUTH? What drives you – what gets you out of bed in the morning?
Vishal: My daily motivation stems from interactions with exceptionally talented individuals within my team. I thrive on learning something new each day and making a positive impact on end users’ lives by delivering relevant messages tailored to their interests. Additionally, I find fulfilment in simplifying the tasks of our marketing team.
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Can you tell us about a specific project you’re working on right now? What has been your most exciting project so far?
Vishal: One of the most exciting projects I am involved in is the “Unified Architecture” project, which aims to establish one architecture globally. This initiative is expected to significantly reduce time-to-market for marketing teams and enable quicker activation of business use cases. With the adage “time is money” in mind, a unified architecture promises to yield greater value from all marketing solutions.
The world of technology is constantly evolving and changing. How do you keep up to date, and what tools does ALDI SOUTH offer to help you with this?
Vishal: Indeed, technology evolves rapidly. According to my recent study, the cadence of change – once every seven years – has now accelerated to three years and will even be one year in the future. ALDI SOUTH offers the ALDI SOUTH Academy, where we can explore innovative technologies and solutions at our convenience. I recently completed a training on Azure Cloud, supported by ALDI SOUTH, which has added another feather to my cap.
What would you say makes ALDI SOUTH unique as an employer? Try and tell us in just five words.
Vishal: Efficient, valuable, caring, responsible, evolving.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome so far? What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned so far?
Vishal: Joining during COVID times, what I felt personally was that collaboration was missing – especially since I come from a background where I have always worked from the office. Working with the team at least twice a month for collaboration is great.
What tech stack do you work with?
Vishal: My work primarily involves the Adobe Marketing Technology Stack, including Adobe Campaign, Adobe Analytics and Adobe Target.
What should anyone looking to start a career as a cross-cell architect at ALDI SOUTH bring to the table? Are there any candidates for whom ALDI SOUTH might not be the best fit?
Vishal: At ALDI SOUTH, collaboration and continuous learning are highly valued. We foster an environment where knowledge sharing is encouraged, making it unsuitable for those averse to learning and adapting to change.
What does “Reprogram retail” mean to you?
Vishal: “Reprogram retail” addresses people who are looking for a new challenge and the opportunity to transform the way retail works. This slogan encapsulates our commitment to revolutionising the traditional retail model, inviting talent to join us in reshaping the future of the retail sector.
Thanks for talking to us, Vishal!
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