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Youssef's Career Progression Advice

Youssef El R. | Sales Planning and Strategy Senior Manager | Ireland

Originally Published: May 11, 2022
Q: Please share a little bit about your role at Dell Technologies and what that entails.

A: I currently lead the Tech refresh program in Europe, Middle East and Africa. Tech Refresh represents around 30% of the storage revenue. It’s about trading in old Dell Technologies gear towards a more modern Dell Technologies solution that offers new features, better performance, and higher reliability. Returned equipment is re-used, refurbished, or recycled within an administrated framework that supports our Corporate Social Responsibility.
Q: I see you have had a great career progression at Dell – Is there something that you’ve learned along the way that has helped progress you through your career?

A: Career progression and development is a choice, and in my opinion having a 3-step (A, D, D) behavior is a recipe for success.
  • Act more, talk less. People will resonate with what one actually does, not with what one promises to do.
  • Do proactive things. Challenges exist in every team and every project and every company. One first needs to spot the challenges, understand their cause, and try proactively to find solutions to streamline the process and make it more effective. This requires time, patience and good preparation. One can also consult mentors and colleagues to ensure the issue is looked at from different angles
  • Disagree Agreeably: Acknowledge the other person’s opinion to be valid, and that your own is different not right.  You will earn people’s respect and avoid blame games and unnecessary tension.
Q: How do you find life at Dell?

A: People are friendly, and Dell Technologies is challenging and engaging. There is always room to come up with new ideas to improve the process. It might take some time, but with the right reasoning it’s always possible. 

Q: As you’ve moved within Dell both geographically and in your career, can you share your thoughts on the career opportunities within Dell?

A: Dell Technologies has a large portfolio of products and services with loads of different opportunities for growth and with the opportunity to relocate to different locations. I started my career in Dell as manager in the global logistics operations department in Egypt. I then relocated to the UK as a Services Account Manager to our Key Customers who invest with Dell Technologies more than 100 million dollars a year. Currently, I am a senior manager in Ireland, leading a team that supports sales and drives a key program that generates revenue to the company. 
Q: What is your favorite part about working for Dell?

A: The Employee Resource Groups for sure.  I am a core member of the Mosaic ERG and I enjoy working with the team to support initiatives that leave a positive impact in the society. We worked with the Cork Migrant Center to help immigrant youths integrate with society and provided them with career advises and coaching. We also worked with NASC, The Migrant and Refugee Rights Center to support a local community in Ovens in Cork, Ireland called the one family project to help a Syrian Refugee family of a father and two children to integrate within the Irish society. We provided translation services and we supported the family to settle.  We even raised a funding page and Dell employees were very generous donating to the family and of course Dell had its mapping program where employee donations were matched which helped us raise more than 20,000 dollars in less than a month.
Q: Is there a piece of advice that you would share for someone who may be starting out in their career?

A: The road is not always rosy ahead and there are hurdles and bumps through the way and there are disappointments and lack of motivation. However, it’s all about patience, open communication and a positive mindset that allows you to see opportunities for learning and growth and all the hard work pays off at a certain stage, even if it’s in the long run. You build your own unique brand with those traits.
Q: What is one thing you know now that you wish you knew when you started at Dell?

A: Patience is a virtue. I think this learning comes more with experience. 
Q: How do you find the level of diversity and inclusion at Dell?

A: Education has evolved and basics of diversity and inclusion are introduced in schools at young age and the presence of diverse people allows easier integration within societies. I find Dell as a place that supports diversity and inclusion through different programs, ERGs and even in hiring. It’s easy to be myself around and I enjoyed the Mosaic ERG motto “I am different like you” because we all have our differences even kids who are raised in the same house.
 
Youssef and his family Youssef and family on vacation Youssef and family with helmets on
 
Learn more about a career with Dell here.

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