Here at Florence we’ve been getting to know the people who make up our team with our Behind the Scenes series. This week, we’re talking to Jose who used to work as a nurse himself. He saw first hand the issues in the industry and now he works every day with us at Florence to help us fix them
Who are you and what do you do at Florence?
I’m Jose and I’m Head of Florence in Northern Ireland. Florence has only existed in Northern Ireland for two and a half months officially so as you can imagine there’s a lot to do!
I do everything from the beginning, registration with the regulated body and then speak to all the governing bodies within Northern Ireland. I do a bit of admin sometimes, just a bit of everything! I’m pretty busy!
What made you want to join Florence?
Good question. When I was a nurse there were always things that I would ask for and when you are faced with most of the answers for things which you’ve been asking for for the last six or seven years you can only see it as an opportunity to jump at!
That’s straight away what I saw in Florence. I had my first conversation with Dan Blake and I saw the potential in Florence to supply the market with fixes to the problems that have been happening in healthcare settings, both private and NHS.
We can fill the needs in healthcare across different sectors, public and private, so the decision was easy enough!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
I’m a very demanding person with myself and standards and if I set targets I have to accomplish them.
I need to challenge myself. This didn’t help me in the beginning, being on my own and of course I do have a big support network, but physically I’m on my own in Northern Ireland.
I was told “you’re not here for the 100m race - you’re here for the long run.
“We want to be out in the market but we want to do it slowly and strongly, small strong steps.
“So, rather than going for a sprint, this is a marathon. Challenge yourself, focus yourself but manage your own stress and strengths as well. Don’t give it too much in the beginning, just keep on going and doing things”.
That’s the approach I’ve been seeing from Florence as well. If you do see challenges up ahead, remain professional but do make sure that you enjoy what you do as well.
You need to enjoy it and believe in the philosophy of the company.
What’s your favourite thing about working at Florence?
There’s a very professional structure in Florence and that’s important; knowing that behind the scenes you have a structure. You know who to ask for help when you need it. It makes it easier for me as a manager of a region to face the challenges that have come and that will come.
The other thing is the environment from the beginning. We’re encouraged to achieve results but at the same time, the support is there.
I had so many bad experiences in the past when it comes to work ethic and at Florence work ethic exists from the very first minute.
Having professional structure, having a professional workplace ethic, plus the resources - what else could you ask for?!
What’s a fun fact about yourself that might surprise us?
I was famous once upon a time. No more follow up.
What piece of advice would you give to someone thinking about joining Florence?
First of all, if you’re not excited, you will be excited as soon as you get here! This company excites you, this company brings out the best in you.
A second piece of advice is challenge yourself always as an individual and as a professional because Florence will help you to be the best version of yourself. Don’t stick to your role, don’t stick to your job, let yourself grow within Florence.
Where do you see Florence in five years’ time?
In Northern Ireland in five years time will be top of the market. We have all the potential to be top of the market UK wide. We’re in a transition where clients will have to start focussing on the more professional suppliers such as Florence.
There’s potential for growth within Florence. There’s so many niches of the market we can still target, we could develop even more concepts from the ones that we have according to the needs of people over the next five years.
Want to join us at Florence and help us go global? We’re hiring!
