As the Director of Quality Development, Engineering and Customer Satisfaction at Ricoh USA, Kyla is responsible for the development and assurance of quality for software and continuous feed products. Her organization also provides pre-sales and post-sales support for both software and continuous feed as well as order configuration and complaint management. The diverse team collaborates with multiple functions and segments in support of delivering high quality solutions that result in positive customer satisfaction, giving her a unique perspective into client trends and needs.
Hear what she has to say:
Work.
What brought you to Ricoh and when? I began working for IBM/Ricoh in 2006 as a 2nd shift printer operator. This type of job was perfect for me at the time as I had left my previous career to take care of my premature twins and wanted something that allowed my husband and I to tag team taking care of them. I quickly moved from operating printers to testing software and then overall solutions, taking my first management job several years later and continued to learn and grow until I was offered the Director of Quality position in 2017.
What aspect of your role do you enjoy the most? Positive collaboration. There is a profound satisfaction I get from working through a challenge or coming up with an idea together with colleagues.
What do you consider the most important part of your job? Listening and learning from your co-workers, teams and customers. I’ve always believed we have two ears and only one mouth for a reason.
What leadership quality do you admire the most? The power to be calm amidst a crisis.
Describe a mentor that has helped shaped your career The mentor who shaped my career the most was actually my manager for many years. He was confident, calm, professional, and full of sound judgement. I was always amazed at how easily he seemed to make good decisions.
What is the best career advise you’ve been given so far? As a manager, I have to balance the needs of the business with the needs of employees. My mentor taught me to focus on the employees when the two needs conflict.
What advice would you give to new hires? Don’t work hard to prove your value. Work hard to be valuable.
Life.
What is something that might surprise people about yourself? I’m a mom trying to survive twin 16-year old girls.
What are 3 words your kids would use to describe you? One of the girls said kind, creative and clever. The other said smart, crabby and petty. Can you guess which one just got grounded?
Do you have a motto or personal philosophy? Yes I do. Be kind and humble – everyone deals with hard things and nobody knows it all.
You’re happiest when? When I’m productive.
How do you balance your career and family? Let’s be honest – there is no balance, at least with equality. However, there is a juggle that works when I properly prioritize and delegate.
Fun.
What is the superpower you wish you had? Mind reading.
When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time? Free time, what is that? I do love gardening though if I get a bit of downtime.
When you’re not working you are…. sleeping
Name one food you can’t resist Believe it or not, salad.
Chips or Chocolate? Definitely chocolate.
Next.
What is the last tech gadget you bought? A smart Samsung fridge. It’s so strange playing music from a fridge.
As soon as the Covid-19 restrictions lift, where is the first place you’re going to visit? The jury is still out on that. My kids say Disney World, I say Hawaii.
Be sure to connect and reach out to Kyla if you have any questions.
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