Meet the Team: Barbora Ochmanová

This time, we had the opportunity to speak with Barbora Ochmanová, who has been part of FERRIT almost from the very beginning. We discussed her experiences, work ethic, and perspective on teamwork and innovation.

1. You have been with FERRIT almost from the start. What were your very first days and impressions of the company?

I remember my first day at FERRIT as if it were yesterday. It started very early because I hadn’t yet arranged accommodation in Frýdek-Místek, so I had to commute by train, which meant getting up at 3:30 a.m. to be at work by 7 a.m. The welcome was hectic – an international visit was leaving on my first day – but my colleagues greeted me warmly, immediately offered to use informal speech, and the directors were friendly and smiling. I didn’t take the train home that night but stayed over at a colleague’s place, which was a very kind gesture. The next day, we overslept a little because of a miscommunication with the colleague who usually gives her a ride. Nevertheless, I look back fondly on these little adventures.

2. You have worked in many roles at FERRIT. Which one did you enjoy the most and why?
Of all the roles I have had, I enjoyed working in the back office the most. I learned so much – gaining a broad spectrum of economic, technical, and presentation skills. I met many people across territories, prepared countless quotations, welcomed numerous international visitors, and spent many sleepless nights catching up on tasks. Now, I really enjoy my current role, where I can pass on my experience – thus completing the full circle.

3. How would you describe the main mission of the back office at FERRIT?
When the manager doesn’t sleep, neither does the back office. It’s all about being constantly ready to assist the manager who is traveling or dealing with clients. The back office has their back – it’s a bridge between the company and the manager who cannot focus on administrative tasks, and also a bridge between the company and the customer, ensuring all their needs are met.

4. How do you work with your team – what is key for you in leading people?
I strive to be honest with everyone, admit mistakes, and not hesitate to ask questions when I don’t know something. I communicate with my team in regular meetings as well as individually – we discuss collaboration, expectations, and feedback on my performance. Open communication is very important to me, and I make an effort to maintain it.

5. What situations in the back office are the most challenging for you, and how do you handle them?

Sometimes, a request comes in that is difficult to decode or understand fully. At such times, I follow a rule once told to me by a wise gentleman I greatly respect: “It’s better to look foolish for five minutes than for a lifetime.” So I always ask questions to avoid misunderstandings or delays.

6. Is there a process you are particularly proud of improving or implementing?
I am proud of several improvements I have introduced over the years, especially in SAP. Small operations in the system enhance data visualization, production capacity planning, and back office work through the reports I designed. Currently, I am preparing several enhancements to accelerate quotation calculations and simplify operational cost assessments for machines over a given period.

7. How do you perceive the collaboration between the back office and other departments?
The back office could not function without other departments. We collaborate most often with the technical and service departments. The technical department helps us with client inquiries, which is a learning opportunity for us as well. The service team helps identify some customer requirements, and we assist them in translating and resolving technical issues through online calls.

8. Has your workload changed since you started using AI?

Yes, definitely. On days when my thoughts are not fully organized, I can describe a situation and AI immediately suggests several solutions. Of course, I follow the principle “trust, but verify” – I always check AI’s suggestions before applying them. Nevertheless, it is a great help.

9. In what ways does AI make your work easier?

Primarily, it helps with translating emails in foreign languages (I still don’t speak Turkish) and stylizing certain emails. It also assists in identifying errors in Excel or other functions, which AI can solve faster than I can.

10. Can you tell us something about your family?

Without FERRIT, I wouldn’t have my family. I moved to Frýdek-Místek for work, not for my husband. This year, we will celebrate 26 years together and are raising two sons, currently in the seven-year “puberty phase,” which will last several more years. I am happy with my family and feel I have everything I ever wanted in life.

11. How do you like to spend your free time?

I love being in my garden, hands in the soil, enjoying the scent of earth and flowers, and listening to birds sing. I also enjoy running or cycling around the area with my husband. Of course, I know how to relax as well – especially on hot summer days, when I can do nothing and simply soak up the warmth.

12. Do you have any personal ritual or habit that helps you maintain order at work and in your mind?

When I feel lost, I stand by the window and look outside. It calms me and allows me to refocus. Physical activity is also the best way to clear my head – that’s when I really switch off and stop thinking altogether.

13. What advice would you give to newcomers joining FERRIT?

FERRIT is a family – people help and support each other. I advise newcomers to ask questions, not take work home, and be proud of where they work. The things we can invent, design, produce, and implement here cannot be seen just anywhere.

14. If you had to choose one moment at FERRIT that you are most proud of, what would it be?

It was probably the day I first stood by the window on the 5th floor of the VTP and saw all our production halls from above, remembering where we started. We once dreamed in the “little house” that locomotives would one day pass by our windows – and that dream became reality. That view is still breathtaking.

This time, we had the opportunity to look into both the professional and personal life of Barča Ochmanová, and we truly appreciate her openness and willingness to share her experiences. Thank you for the interview, and we look forward to more inspiring encounters!