C E L E B R AT I N G W O M E N
Meet Endress+Hauser’s Beverley Govender In August, we recognise women for their contribution to industry and life in general. We met up with Endress+Hauser’s external sales specialist, Beverley Govender, to listen to what she has to say about being a woman in process automation for the food and beverage industry. “ I would encourage the industry to focus on a transformational agenda to empower and equip women with the relevant tools to enable growth and acceleration into senior positions”
The correct balance is extremely important for both spheres to survive and be successful. I treat my personal and family life like a crystal ball – if it shatters, it will be very hard to replace. So, I take utmost care of my role as a wife, mother, sister and daughter. My work life is like a rubber ball – always bounces back. While
Beverley Govender
communication platforms such as Skype, MS
work is exceptionally important, we are always
Teams etc.
faced with different challenges.
This is quite a big shift, but my goal is to
Q: WHAT IS YOUR CAREER BACKGROUND AND CURRENT JOB DESCRIPTION? A: My career at Endress+Hauser started in 1999,
deliver the same service and experience
as a service coordinator. Through hard work and
interactions with customers.
The trick is to find an objective way to overcome and learn from these.
despite the current challenges. Ultimately customer satisfaction is what gives me complete fulfillment in my job and I also love
dedication, I moved up and fulfilled different
Q: ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE YOU AS A WOMAN, AND WHY? A: Supportive – I am exceptionally supportive and generous with my time in my personal
within the sales department and took on
Q: WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES FACED BY WOMEN IN THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE INDUSTRY? HOW COULD THIS BE OVERCOME? A: Women are underrepresented, especially
the role of supporting and advising plant
in senior positions and this is a major
builders and engineering, procurement and
challenge. Women also continue to bear
construction (EPC's) on instrumentation in
the challenge of balancing work and home
process automation. In 2016, an opportunity for
responsibilities. I therefore would encourage
an external sales specialist: food & beverage
the industry to intensify their support
are also surrounded by family responsibilities
industry arose in Gauteng.
for work -life balance and also have a
at the same time. It is difficult, but women have
transformational agenda to empower and
once again shown the resilience and rose to the
equip women with the relevant tools to
occasion. It is important, now more than ever, to
enable growth and acceleration into
recognise and celebrate the success of women.
roles in different departments. In 2008, I was appointed external sales specialist and I was the first female to embrace such a role at the time. I then progressed
Q: WHAT DOES YOUR TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE AND WHAT SATISFIES YOU MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB? A: Pre-coronavirus pandemic things were
senior positions.
providing customers with innovative solutions
Q: HOW DO YOU BALANCE WORK AND PERSONAL LIFE? A: I am a career woman who is extremely
to help them optimise their processes. Now
ambitious and aspirational, but my moral
our interactions are facilitated digitally via
compass knows when I am overcompensating.
obviously different. I used to visit customers on-site and had a lot of personal interaction,
and work capacity to see other women achieve success.
Q: WHAT IS MOST SPECIAL ABOUT THIS YEAR’S WOMEN’S DAY? A: I think this year speaks for itself. With the current pandemic and lockdown, women had to quickly adjust to working from home where they
Q: WHAT WOMEN-RELATED CHALLENGE WOULD YOU TAKE ON TO HELP OR SUPPORT OTHER WOMEN? A: I do not subscribe to the Pull her Down (PHD) Syndrome. Therefore, I am forever willing to mentor and support other women to achieve their career aspirations. As a mother of a girl child, I would like to pay it forward knowing that one day another woman will help my daughter achieve success.
Q: WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO YOUR YOUNG SELF? A: Be more confident and take more risks. Q: YOUR WOMEN’S DAY MESSAGE? A: Thank you to the incredible and brave women before us who paved the way. Let us all choose to empower, love and support each other. Happy Women’s Month! •
Endress+Hauser – www.endress.co.za
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Food Review | August 2020
