Kostas Andreou

Graduation Year: 2002 (MBA 10)

Senior Manager FP&A, Zero-Based Budgeting Region Europe, Mondelez International

LinkedIn Profile here

Looking back on your career, what was the most important decision you made (or didn't make) regarding your career path?

The amazing thing about careers is that they are continuously evolving and there are endless turning points that define a future which is constantly changing …If however, I was to choose one, probably that would be the decision to enter, at relatively early stage in my professional career, a multinational organization. The access to readily available, accumulated knowledge and global best practices, were gifts generously provided to a young professional seeking to understand how modern business was run.

What’s the most important thing for recent grads to keep in mind as they start out their careers?

Irrespective of the profession or function one might choose to build his/her career on, the only thing that follows you constantly is character and reputation. My strong piece of advice is to always keep high ethical/value standards, be true and honest and keep your integrity, no matter what. In the long run, it always pays off.

What made you choose ALBA for your graduate studies?

The decision to go for an MBA came at a moment where, due to various reasons at that time, I was standing at a critical crossroad of my professional life. When you need to make such an important decision like education, actually, there should not be too much thinking behind… you must always go for the best option available. That is what I did and never regretted it. ALBA provided the perfect blend of top-class academic faculty with a pragmatic, hands-on business approach.

Share with us your fondest memory while studying at ALBA.

The intense year of a full time MBA program offered so many condensed and rich experiences that will accompany me for many years to come. Working for the consulting project probably gave me the most challenging summer period I ever had. So much hard work, so many hours spent with the team to put together a plan, from concept to delivery. Great memories, exciting times, lot of work, lot of knowledge, lots of fun!

PROUST QUESTIONNAIRE

• What is your greatest fear? Sharks
• Which historical figure do you most identify with? I wish I could merely reach the mental state of Socrates or Plato
• Which living person do you most admire? Prefer to wait for history to show those worthy to
• What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? When I do not balance professional and personal life
• What is the trait you most deplore in others? Lies & mistrust
• What is your greatest extravagance? Flying to another city and back within a day,  just to see a dear friend over a cup of coffee
• What is your favorite journey? Driving down the Akrotiri hill to Chania city at sunset
• On what occasion do you lie? Only when truth is just a fix away
• What is your greatest regret? Didn’t do that parachuting
• What or who is the greatest love of your life? My 3 kids
• When and where were you happiest? Yesterday, today & tomorrow!
• Which talent would you most like to have? Play tennis like a pro
• What is your current state of mind? Looking forward to a new life with family abroad
• If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Think less, do more
• If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be? Have one more kid
• What do you consider your greatest achievement? All those small things that as units go unnoticed but as a whole brought me here and can get me further
• What is your most treasured possession? Father’s watch
• Where would you like to live? Chania
• What is your favorite occupation? Bonding with kids no matter what the activity is
• What is your most marked characteristic? Trust  & integrity
• What do you most value in your friends? Loyalty
• What are your favorite names? Billy, Evelina, Maria
• What is your motto? It ain’t over till it’s over