ICE Questionnaire #WeAreICE Míša Valoušková

Míša Valoušková is from Žďár nad Sázavou. She studied andragogy at Palacký University in Olomouc and spent many years working for an engineering company that produced security mechanisms. She started there in quality management, later moved into HR, and eventually left her position as Export Manager to join ICE. 

She has been with ICE for three years now – and she feels right at home. She works as a Sales Manager and is responsible for selling services.

 What are you enjoying most about your work these days?

At the moment, I’m working with one of our largest hourly-based clients, ZF, to plan project forecasts for next year. These discussions are much easier thanks to our team members working there. Their incredible work on the projects speaks for itself, so I don’t have to convince the client that we’re up to the job. Instead, we jump straight into discussing timelines, technologies, and capacities – basically, the enjoyable part of the process.

 Can you describe your role in the sales team?

My job, like everyone else’s in the sales team, is to make sure our people always have interesting work to do. Our clients know that we won’t let them down. We help them find solutions, suggest ways to automate processes, deliver the work, test it, and never leave anything unfinished. At the same time, they trust us not to push them into anything they don’t need. That trust comes from the amazing work our people do on projects, turning both our ideas and the client’s vision into reality.

 What brought you to ICE in the first place?

I read some articles and interviews and was fascinated by how different ICE is. Being from Žďár, I already knew the story of how a group of automation enthusiasts came together and built a company without a traditional hierarchical structure. I thought, “I want to experience this for myself, not just read about it.”

 What does your typical workday look like? Is there time for both routine and surprises?  

My workday depends a lot on the projects we’re currently handling. I spend time with clients reviewing new requests or fine-tuning previously offered solutions. Active projects are never short on excitement – we’re adjusting deadlines, reallocating people, and figuring out how to accommodate the client’s needs. Sometimes it’s calm, and other times it’s a whirlwind, but that’s what I enjoy most – every day is different.

 You’re experienced and skilled. Is there anything you’d still like to improve or develop professionally?

I’d like to think I’m constantly growing. I treat every day as an opportunity to learn or discover something new. That’s one of the reasons I joined this year’s ICE Self-Management Academy – it’s an invaluable source of knowledge.

I love learning new things, and this job gives me the chance to do that daily. There’s still so much I don’t know about automation, so I keep asking my colleagues – and so far, they keep answering!

As for professional dreams, I’d love to sell a truly large production line one day.

 I understand you also handle experts-on-demand. Who are they, how do you find them, and how does ICE work with them?

An expert-on-demand is a specialist hired for a specific period to address a company’s particular needs. It’s a model that helps businesses tackle the challenge of a shortage of expertise by borrowing experts from those who have them. The lack of skilled professionals is one of the biggest risks for companies today, and we help mitigate that by lending our experts. Companies use this service when they need specialised knowledge for projects, consultations, or solving specific problems.

Finding them isn’t easy – our HR colleagues could tell you plenty about that! That’s why we also cultivate our own talent, sometimes starting as early as nursery school. First, they come here to see the robots, then they join our programming course, later take on internships or summer jobs, and before you know it, they’re part of the team! (laughs)

 What about ICE and its company culture? Is it really so different from other companies?

Yes, it is. It’s about the determination not to whine or make excuses but to tackle challenges head-on. And it’s also about the fact that it’s not just three people driving everything – everyone here tries to contribute, come up with ideas, and be useful.

 And the final question – how do you like to spend your free time?

With my family, on our discovery trips. There are a lot of us, so there’s always plenty of fun. I enjoy sports, and when it’s gloomy like today, the best relaxation is a combo of a book, a blanket, and a cup of tea.

What does Míša's colleague from the Sales Team, Viera Kardošová, say about her?

"Míša is a reliable and capable team member. She has excellent organisational skills, analytical thinking, and the ability to solve complex problems. 

She has a clear overview of her work. She’s well-liked in the team because of her willingness to help, her proactive approach to challenges, and her ability to work under pressure. She plays volleyball well and enjoys it, she’ll be happy with a good dessert, and you might just bump into her on discovery trips and tours."