Welcome to our latest meet the team blog

Welcome to our latest meet the team blog. Today we introduce Alexandra Cirstea who joined Bedford in May 2023.  Alexandra is a Professional Services Consultant with expertise across FP&A implementations. In her spare time, Alexandra enjoys reading, cooking and walking.

What made you consider joining Bedford?

Coming from an FP&A background, I’ve always entertained the idea of going into consulting. I knew I could leverage my FP&A experience in potential customer engagements while expanding my skillset by learning Anaplan. When the opportunity at Bedford arose, it was a no brainer I would follow this path.

What are you most proud of?

I take pride in the work we do for our customers, the solutions we deliver, and the value we create for the users making an impact on their day to day.

What’s your favourite part of working at Bedford?

My favourite part of working at Bedford is the incredible team I get to work with. The collaborative environment and the opportunity to learn from such talented and passionate people makes the everyday exciting and fulfilling. It’s the people here that truly make Bedford special.

Describe Bedford in 3 words

Commitment to excellence.

What’s the company like? How would you describe the team culture?

The team culture at Bedford is supportive, collaborative, and inclusive. We really value open communication and a shared commitment to growth, both individually and as a team. Everyone is willing to lend a hand and offer their insights, which makes it a great environment for learning and innovation.

How would you describe a typical day?

Part of being a consultant is that no two days are the same. Days can vary from exploring business processes to developing models or showcasing solutions to the customer.

What’s the most important skill that someone will need to succeed in your role?

Maintaining an open mind and staying curious is essential. Understanding how customers run their business, their processes, and their pain points helps build strong rapport and is crucial for ensuring a successful delivery.

What is the biggest challenge that someone in this position would face?  

One of the key challenges is ensuring customers maintain a clear vision and stay focused on the core deliverables. Anaplan is an excellent planning solution, offering both agility and flexibility, which makes it a powerful tool, but it’s important to keep the team aligned and focused on the main objectives.

What have you learned in the last six months? 

I learned that every engagement is unique, and we should approach each one without any preconceived notions or assumptions.

Why do you stay at Bedford? 

I stay at Bedford because of the people around me. Over the past year and a half, I’ve learned so much from them, and I’m eager to keep growing alongside them.

To meet some other members of the Bedford team, click here.