A coffee with Rosa Pelaez-Vinuela, Jayva’s IT Project Manager
Introducing one of the most-recent additions to the Jayva family – Rosa Pelaez-Vinuela. Rosa is an invaluable member of our team in the States, and we’re extremely lucky and proud to have her onboard.
As our IT Project Manager, Rosa looks after clients implementing LEAP Legal Software – with plate-spinning precision of the many and varied demands upon her throughout each project’s lifecycle.
We invite you to get to know Rosa better, both in a professional and personal capacity, in our latest Q&A which covers everything from inspirations, to unique skillsets, to reading obsessions and more. So, grab yourself a cuppa and catch up on all-things Rosa…
What’s your business/professional motto?
There’s a saying in Spanish that states: No dejes para mañana lo que puedas hacer hoy. Basically, it warns not to procrastinate and advises to get as much done today as is possible. When I’m working, this motto is at the forefront of my mind, so I’m always on top on my tasks and achieve each day’s objectives.
Which individual has inspired you the most in your business life and in what way?
My dad was the most hard-working person I’ve ever met. Unfortunately, he’s not in my life anymore but, before passing, he taught me that it’s better to be a hard-working person than to have all the answers or be an expert on something when it comes to business; often, the latter follows the former anyway. Working hard is in my blood. It comes naturally to me and pays dividends in terms of my productivity levels and output.
What’s the most inspirational book you’ve ever read?
I’m an avid bookworm and consume between 100 and 200 books per year. You’d imagine that this is an easy question to answer but the reverse is true. It’s impossible to pinpoint any particular titles because there are too many books that have inspired me over the years.
What do you think makes Jayva different?
I love the freedom that Jayva’s management offers and the trust they place in staff. This alternative way of being really differentiates Jayva from other global businesses. By freedom, I mean our management team doesn’t micro-manage. They have total confidence in our ability to make our own decisions in the workplace. While taking care of the USA inbox, I encounter occasional client issues which I can resolve independently without continually having to consult Matt Dagle about every step taken.
What’s Jayva’s greatest asset?
I believe Jayva’s greatest asset is the fact our managers recognize that we’re people first; employees second. I feel nurtured and cared for in equal measure. To quote an example of Jayva’s compassionate personality in action, I graduated in March and received congratulatory flowers from my employer. This surprising gesture made my day more special and showed that we’re one big, happy family.
Jayva’s Rosa Pelaez-Vinuela
How does Jayva benefit from the unique skillset you bring to the business?
I’m actually a very modest person and don’t like to talk about myself much, but my two best skills are being organized and detailed oriented. These two qualities have greatly helped me to stay on top of everything I do at Jayva. Each software install demands myriad actions, from data transfer and system configuration, to end-user training and ongoing system administration. Being organized and detailed oriented serves me well, as I know exactly what’s going on with each client at any point in time, and serves our clients well, as they’re reassured their projects are in safe hands.
What item(s) do you always have with you?
It doesn’t matter where I go or what I’m doing, I always have a book with me. This applies to social gatherings or sporting events too. I can never miss an opportunity to read.
Do you dress up or down for business?
I operate on a hybrid basis – sometimes at home, sometimes at the office, sometimes at client sites. My dress code is dictated by my place of work on any given day. If I’m working from home, I dress down. If I’m elsewhere, I dress up.
If you hadn’t gone down your chosen career path, what would you be doing instead?
Clearly, my love books would feature prominently. I’d probably be a book editor, writer or in the publishing world somehow. Being surrounded by books would make me the happiest woman alive.
At what time of day are you most creative or inspired?
Like any self-respecting night owl, I come awake in the evening. So, I’m at my most creative at night.
When do you take your coffee break – morning, afternoon, evening? And where do you take it?
I don’t follow normal working patterns and it’s not unusual to never take coffee breaks. I typically start working at 8.30am or 9am and work until I’ve finished what’s on my to-do list. I close down my laptop at 6pm; other times at 8pm. I have a tendency to suffer from over fixation so when I’m working, I’m focused entirely on what I’m doing and don’t take a break to go to the bathroom even.
Espresso, americano, latte, cappuccino, macchiato, flat white, frappe – what’s your coffee of choice?
Controversially, I don’t drink coffee; I much prefer tea. My tea of choice would have to be Earl Gray with a splurge of milk and a teaspoon of sugar. Mary Poppins would approve, I’m sure.
How do you relax outside of work?
It’ll be no surprise to learn that relaxation primarily involves reading a good book. It’s the perfect way to unwind and totally immerse yourself in another world, albeit fictional.
What’s your favorite film?
There are too many films I love to list them all. Instead, to reference the films I keep gravitating towards and watching on repeat, there’s Memoirs of a Geisha, Pride and Prejudice (the 2005 version starring Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennet), Dirty Dancing, Avatar and Interstellar. They’re absolute classics. If you haven’t seen them yet, do so with urgency!
Summing up her feelings about Rosa, our Global Chief Executive Officer Nicola Moore-Miller comments:
El éxito llega para todos aquellos que están ocupados buscándolo. This Spanish proverb means success comes to those who are seeking it. People who work hard can achieve amazing things. This concept embodies everything Rosa is about. We’d be totally lost without her. She’s a central cog in our American wheel and a lovely person to boot.