Growth for Everyone is a company-wide initiative that encourages our colleagues to be the best they can be both personally and professionally. Eric Sanner, a solutions architect on our award-winning Sitecore team has grown his career at Perficient while simultaneously encouraging others.
The collective desire to positively impact our clients and other colleagues made a mark in the Sitecore community as the team was recently recognized with a 2022 Sitecore Partner of the Year Award. This recognition wouldn’t have been possible without our talented colleagues, and below is an inside look at Eric’s personal experience growing his career, helping others to do the same, and seeing how the team works together to deliver high-quality solutions.
What is your role? Describe a typical day in the life.
I’m a solutions architect and a typical day for me is usually divided across different projects I’m involved in. I often work with clients and aligned business analysts to make sure I understand project requirements to ensure successful delivery. Aside from this, I also help my team decide on implementation details, problem solve, and get on calls to troubleshoot when someone is stuck. In general, I enjoy mentoring and sharing knowledge whenever possible, which sometimes includes running agile ceremony meetings.
How does your role support Perficient? How are you making an impact? What impact do you hope to make?
My role supports Perficient by helping teams deliver quality work. However, I also make an impact outside of my projects by immersing our culture further into our business unit (BU). This includes the Welcome Committee I lead where we host a welcome chat for each new employee that joins our BU. This gives new colleagues a chance to meet more people outside of their project, and in turn, they can build their professional network and feel more like a team. I also host monthly Watercooler Chats, which give colleagues in the Sitecore BU the opportunity to connect, take a break from their project work, and spend quality time with co-workers.
What are your proudest accomplishments, personally and professionally? Any milestone moments at Perficient?
My proudest accomplishment is when I mentor someone, and the lightbulb clicks for them. Experiencing the progression from colleagues doing something because I tell them to, to them understanding the reason behind what they’re doing is something that is always exhilarating.
The biggest milestone in my career was the transition from referring to Perficient as “the company I work for,” to calling it “my company.” It was a big mentality shift when I recognized that the work I do has an impact and that I’m responsible to help my company be the best it can be.
What advice would you give to colleagues who are starting their career with Perficient?
We are a global company with many remote colleagues, and because of this, it’s important to make yourself visible to ensure you feel like part of a team. Some of the ways I do this include joining Microsoft Teams discussions, responding to messages asking for help, writing blog posts, and looking for mentors and mentees, all while working to enhance my reputation. Most importantly, however, is simply meeting as many people as possible, which naturally helps colleagues immerse themselves within Perficient’s culture.
READ MORE: Eric Sanner’s Thought Leadership Blog Posts
Why did you choose Perficient? What keeps you here?
Perficient stood out to me because it is a very different company compared to my previous employers. Perficient has a lot of awards and partnerships, holds a strong reputation in the industry, and is consistently a stable place to work. The people here are amazing to work with, and there are endless opportunities to grow from within. We also have great leadership who I fully trust to make decisions that benefit the direction of our company.
LEARN MORE: Perficient’s Company Culture
Why are you #ProudlyPerficient?
I’m #ProudlyPerficient because I work with a group of smart, talented colleagues who are always open to learning new things, sharing ideas, believing in each other, and being supportive through differences. I am always comfortable being myself at work, and this is something I’m extremely thankful for.
How have you grown your career with Perficient?
I’ve grown my career in multiple ways over the last seven years with Perficient. I started as an individual contributor and was promoted to a senior contributor, which then led to becoming a team lead, and currently, a solutions architect. I’ve grown through being willing to take on new challenges, learning new skills, building beneficial relationships with clients and colleagues, and being a trustworthy person to guide my team in the right direction.
How have you personally helped advance Perficient’s business during your career here?
I have a calm demeanor, which has allowed me to successfully overcome many challenges throughout projects. By staying calm, I’ve been viewed as a trusted advisor to clients and have helped guide my team to make a difference in extending relationships and contracts. I’ve also successfully identified opportunities for growth within existing client relationships, which has been a definitive factor in helping advance Perficient’s business.
Perficient believes in a strong work-life balance. What is one way you accomplish this?
I maintain a work-life balance by starting and ending my day on a regular schedule, working 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. I make sure I’m always on time and I’m as productive as I can be, and because of this, I never feel guilty about leaving on time. I take time off when I need it, and I recommend others make sure they take the time off they need as well.
It’s no secret our success is because of our people. No matter the technology or time zone, our colleagues are committed to delivering innovative, end-to-end digital solutions for the world’s biggest brands, and we bring a collaborative spirit to every interaction. We’re always seeking the best and brightest to work with us. Join our team and experience a culture that challenges, champions, and celebrates our people.
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