For our Quick Fire Interview in our February edition of International Fire Buyer, we sat down with Petya Simeonova, Regional Sales Manager for Eastern Europe, Hochiki Europe.
What does ‘fire protection’ mean to you?
Technology and innovation within the systems we use and regulations that guide us give us the ability to protect people and infrastructure.
What made you want to work in the industry?
The philosophy of a fire protection system, the challenges driven from a diverse range of sites and the responsibility or fire protection and prevention.
If you could talk to your younger self, what would you say?
Keep walking young lady you can do anything!
Describe a funny thing that happened to you recently?
I was working from home and my cat sent an email to a customer! Thank goodness it was not an important one. My cat always wants to sit on my laptop!
What three traits define you?
Positive, communicative, and never give up.
What’s the most important trend you see today?
The biggest trend is artificial intelligence and how it will affect people!
If you weren’t in the fire industry, what would you be doing?
I cannot remember a time when I was not a salesperson in the fire industry. Perhaps a psychologist?
What’s the most interesting thing about you that we wouldn’t learn from your CV?
I love cats and dogs and I want to start an animal shelter for stray, lost, abandoned, or surrendered animals.
What is one thing you would change in the industry if you could?
Shorten the certification process.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I like my job, so I see myself in the same role or step forward in the export team.