Apolian Spotlight: Process Intelligence Consultant, George Betchev

What is your role at Apolix?

I am a Process Intelligence Consultant at Apolix, and I’ve worked here for nearly a year.

My role means I work with data and programming to reveal hidden bottlenecks in processes. It also means that I create efficient workarounds to solve our customers’ biggest issues.

As PI Consultant, I also regularly meet with customers to make sure we’re aligned when creating the most efficient solutions that will save them time, money, and energy.

How would you explain process mining to a five-year-old?

Have you ever been to a waterpark? Imagine there are many different slides all starting and ending in several different pools. Some slides take longer to get down, some make loops, and some swerve from side to side.

Let’s say your friends are all waiting for you in one specific pool and they’re getting impatient. How are you going to reach them quickly and ensure you take the right slide? How do you make sure it won’t spit you out in the wrong pool?

Process mining helps us find the best slide you should use to reach the bottom in the fastest and most efficient way. It shows which slides are too long, too slow, and suffering a backlog of people waiting to go down.

Why did you join Apolix?

Put simply: the culture. The environment created by the people working here was a huge component of why I joined. Here at Apolix, I have the pleasure of working with people that are like-minded, driven, and brilliant at what they do. As an international, I’ve always felt I fit in best in diverse, multi-cultural environments, which makes Apolix the perfect fit.

Also, everything is done differently here, and for good reason.

One thing I noticed Apolix does differently was in my first interview, where I was sat opposite Alex, the CEO. During that conversation, I realised that no job is too small here – everyone pitches in and works together toward a common goal.

After that first interview, I knew this was a place where you can talk to everyone openly and grow both personally and professionally – something I haven’t really seen anywhere else.

From the beginning, I knew this was an amazing place to work. Nearly a year on and I still think the same!

What do you enjoy most about your role?

With my background in econometrics and business, I’m passionate about programming and creative problem solving. I really enjoy working on interesting, irregular problems for our customers. I thoroughly enjoy the technical side of my role, but I also love meeting customers, hearing their pain points, and discovering how we can help.

For me, this role is the perfect mix and it helps me grow by forcing me to step outside my comfort zone every now and then.

Another thing I really like at Apolix is how quickly you get responsibility and an opportunity to lead if you ask for it. Initially, it was slightly daunting to want to step up and take on more, but it’s only further strengthened my abilities and confidence.

Now, I really enjoy getting thrown in the deep end – always with the support of my colleagues, of course – where we can put our heads together and I can learn the most from the people around me.

What do you enjoy most about working at Apolix?

The people. Apolians are built differently, and working here is like no other company.

We celebrate the ups, and deal with the downs, together. Which is far easier when you work with and around people whose company you genuinely enjoy. Working with such talented, funny, and passionate people who work hard and have fun while they do so makes every day interesting.

Personally, the Rotterdam office has become a bit of a second home for me, only having worked one day from home in my entire tenure here. That is purely because of how much I enjoy being around my colleagues – and I know I’m not the only one.

I also love being able to travel to customers and be on-site. By seeing a process in person, I don’t have to rely on my imagination and can work much faster to solve the issue.

Professionally, taking the lead on projects and having an opinion that matters at such an early phase of my career has been invaluable. I feel like I have gained three years of experience in 10 months of working here.

Do you have a favourite memory at Apolix? What is it?

There are too many but if I have to pick one, it would be on the Apolix trip to Madrid with the whole company.

One particular highlight was when we went on an e-bike tour of the city. Firstly, it is one of the best ways to explore a city, seeing the sights and learning the robust history.

Secondly, there’s something about exploring the city together that makes you appreciate your team more. Getting to know my colleagues on a personal level while riding through the streets of Madrid was pretty magical.

The culture engrained in the company because of trips and activities like this is something which I will cherish forever.

Are there any projects you’re currently working on that excite you?

I recently finished the first phase of an unconventional process with an airport which will pick up again after summer. It’s exciting to work on such a tangible project where we can see the results of our work in real-time.

It has been truly fascinating to get a behind the scenes point of view of how baggage moves through an airport and gets on a plane.

I also got to apply object centric process mining (OCPM), which is an advancement in process mining allowing us to analyse multiple processes. The combination of this and a non-standard process makes this an extremely exciting project for me. 

This project has definitely made me see airports differently, now that I know all the work that goes on when you check a bag in.

Which of Apolix’s four values – transparency, team, impact, and citizenship – resonates most with you?

Transparency. I truly value being open and being yourself wherever you are. Which makes Apolix the perfect fit for me.

What is one goal, either personal or professional, that you have for the future?

I would love to participate in the Olympics at some point in my life.

I enjoy the competitive nature of sports and would ultimately like to find one which I can do on the highest level. I’m yet to find a sport which I can qualify with, but my best bet is curling as I can do that when I’m older and have the time to train!