Meet Sophie and learn more about her journey with Abbott.

I started with Abbott in 2006 as a Primary Care sales representative in Adelaide. At that stage, I was a rookie to the role and a rookie to the industry.
I had returned from overseas looking for marketing employment and was introduced to the concept of the sales representative role by way of a recruitment firm. I was aware from day one of the link between sales and marketing, and hence viewed the sales opportunity as a good way to progress to a marketing role.

My time as a sales representative provided me with a solid understanding of our Primary Care customers and personal development opportunities in the way of training courses & travel. I enjoyed my two years as a sales representative but I’m glad to say that the progression to marketing has since come to fruition.

In May 2008 I relocated to Sydney to commence work as an Associate Product Manager. This has been an enjoyable transition for me and I’ve worked across two brands now for over 18 months. I believe that the structure of Abbott, as a medium-sized company, has enabled me to work across a broad range of interesting and challenging projects that an Associate Product Manager might not be exposed to in a larger operation.

Personally, with a tertiary background in business and marketing, I like the idea of progressing through different commercial roles and possibly even different continents at some stage! I find it exciting to work for a company like Abbott because the boundaries of what you can do and where you can work are really only defined by your own effort, your growth plan and your visa! I’m now looking forward to increased responsibility and a range of new challenges as I step up to a Product Manager role for 2010. I’m confident that the great team of people here at Abbott will continue to support my development as I learn the ropes in this new role.

Meet Steve and learn more about his journey with Abbott.

Hey! My name is Steve Tsakoumakis (most people call me Steve). I was approached to consider an opportunity with Abbott back in 2001. Working for Abbott sounded like being on a different planet — a far cry from working as a biochemist in a safe environment of sexual disease testing! Not one to back away from any challenge, I decide to jump on my bike and go for a ride with Abbott. It has been an awesome ride ever since.

Abbott has been a vessel for me to undertake a wonderful journey. It has been a very eventful journey that has involved an immense amount of change, challenges and fun within various roles and departments. For those who know me best — these are some of my drivers. They are the things that I enjoy and truly believe are what drives Abbott’s success in a competitive environment.

My life at Abbott started in the Diagnostic Division where I was provided with opportunities to grow my sales territory to the next level. With guidance and assistance I managed to achieve some great success. While working in a team environment that felt more like a family — we were kicking huge goals and transforming Abbott Diagnostics into a leader. I also kicked a huge personal goal in completing my MBA. I was fortunate to work closely with the marketing team and they provided valuable information and assistance. This fuelled my desire and inspired me to move into a marketing role.

When the door opened, and I wedged it so that it would not close, I landed a role in the Abbott Diabetes Care marketing division. Armed with my sales experience and a qualification in marketing I was ready to unleash my creativity. The last few years have been like a roller coaster ride pushing boundaries and achieving some huge success. One of these was the diabetes global awareness-building campaign which involved lighting up the Sydney Opera House in blue for World Diabetes Day.

I am driven by the vision of advancing science to help people live healthier lives. My passion is to transform science into caring, by providing ways for people to manage their health. It is this commitment that focuses on what matters most, improving life.

I can only thank Abbott for giving me the opportunity to have practised this over the last nine years. I look forward to further challenges with Abbott that will allow me to grow and expand my beliefs and allow me to participate in my other passions: family, cycling, motorbikes and classic cars!