Impel’s Employee Spotlight Series highlights a member of our incredible team each month, giving you an authentic and behind-the-scenes look at our culture. The Impel team is comprised of musicians, foodies, avid animal lovers, athletes, and more – and their energy, grit, and curiosity are what make Impel successful. This month, we’re introducing you to Mariam Matiashvili, an AI Conversation Design Team Lead and the first member from our Georgian office in the Spotlight Series.
Tell us about your role at Impel.
As an AI Conversation Designer Team Lead, I create the strategic plan for the Sales AI team. My team and I collaborate on making Sales AI responses tailored, helpful, and personalized to increase customer satisfaction and engagement. We analyze conversations and, based on the feedback, try to improve the customer experience. We create a personalized journey for each customer who sends an inquiry to the dealership.
What surprised you most about joining the Impel team after the acquisition of Pulsar AI?
The Impel team is friendly and supportive. That was the first thing I noticed and really love about the team. Before the acquisition, I was part of a smaller and super friendly team at Pulsar, and I was a bit scared about joining a bigger company with employees from different countries, backgrounds and cultures. However, it has been a pleasant surprise. Being part of Team Impel is a unique journey.
Also, I am fascinated by the working culture of the Impel team. People care about the things they are doing. It’s a piece of art for them, not just a regular job routine. In this way, both teams (Pulsar & Impel) share the same spirit, so overall, I think it turned out to be the perfect match.
Which core value resonates with you the most?
I think combining all the values makes Impel a successful company and a comfortable place for employees. If I had to choose one of them, I would highlight “Curiosity.” This is what we all share as a part of the Impel family; it helps us to find innovative solutions that change the automotive industry.
Tell us what a typical day in the office looks like for you.
Our typical day is full of joy and humor. My favorite part of the day is the morning when we gather and discuss daily plans casually with coffee. While we create products based on innovative technology, there is always a lot of drive, action, and idea-sharing every day. Each working day we make creative decisions, so it never gets boring.
What is something you learned in the last week?
As I mentioned, our working routine is full of gathering new knowledge. Besides the field-based expertise, it’s important to experience how communication and knowledge sharing should be managed to increase the performance and quality of the team and each member. Last week I learned the importance of discussing ideas and projects with colleagues that are not directly involved in the topic. Different people always bring their perspectives and perceptions, which may not have been considered by the team. Therefore, even if you don’t accept the idea in the moment, it stays on your mind and may help on another project or with professional growth.
What are your top three favorite places to go or things to do in Tbilisi, Georgia that you would recommend to a first-time visitor?
The first thing I would like to recommend to a first-time visitor is definitely the Old Tbilisi Area. I like to walk around there and enjoy the views and vibes. It’s always full of tourists and the diversity makes it even more interesting for me. Historically, Tbilisi has always been a multicultural city and tolerant of all cultures. You can find Georgian and Armenian churches, Synagogues and Mosques next to each other.
The second thing I have to mention is Georgian cuisine. There are many places (restaurants, bars, cafes) where you can taste traditional Georgian dishes. I would recommend Shavi Lomi, Rigi and Stamba. Also, there are some locations that were industrial buildings in the past and have become very nice places to have a drink on a Friday. Fabrika is just that – a former Soviet sewing factory turned into a multi-functional urban space.
The third thing I enjoy in my free time is attending shows at the Opera and Ballet Theatre of Tbilisi. It is a beautiful building and stage, but most importantly, there are very nice performances.
What is something about you people would be surprised to know?
This is quite a difficult question to answer. Recently, people were surprised when I shared that in addition to my full-time job, I’m also working on my Ph.D. in Linguistics and a second MA in Business at the same time. I know it seems a bit crazy, but when Covid started, I wanted to make myself even busier, so here I am!
Mariam’s curiosity is a trait that shines both inside and outside of the office through her work behind the scenes on Sales AI and her Ph.D. Follow us on the Impel Facebook and Impel Instagram pages for updates. You won’t want to miss next month’s spotlight on Ryan Tambroni, a Technical Support Specialist.
