Side by side series | Anton Yashchenko and Yaroslav Yashchenko

Coming back to the interview series “Side by side” where we asked one Consultant and one Partner to give us a glimpse into their day-to-day activities and show us a parallel of being in both positions. This time, we asked our colleagues from the Ukrainian branch. Anton Yashchenko is a Partner whereas Yaroslav Yashchenko is a Senior Consultant.

 

1. What is your perfect morning routine to start the day?

Anton: Ideally, an energizing tennis match early in the morning, reading the Ukrainian and international press during breakfast, and a short walk to the office focusing on planned activities for the day.

Yaroslav: One of the key prerequisites for a normal start of the day is the absence of night shelling of Kyiv. Once the condition is met, the morning routine includes news and messages check, a shower, and a nice breakfast before heading to the office.

 

2. What is the music track that you love to play when coming to work?

Anton: I listen to very different music from jazz to deep house and this year I often listen to modern Ukrainian artists (e.g. Onuka, Okean Elzy, Artbat or Latexfauna), which I really recommend everyone to explore - it is really good! 

Yaroslav: Typically, I do not listen to music on my way to work. However, in case I need some motivation for a productive day, the Rolling Stones’ hits come in handy.

 

3. How do you usually relax during work breaks?

Anton: I try to spend a break with an activity which is totally opposite to the work activity before the break. Usually, I try to take every opportunity to catch some fresh air and to have a short call with family or a friend. Otherwise, when I am overwhelmed with meetings and conversations I tend to stay by myself on the break and relax watching tennis matches or personal development videos. 

Yaroslav: I like to relax during work breaks by chatting with colleagues over a cup of coffee or during the lunch break.

 

4. Do you cook and if so, what is your favourite dish to make?

Anton: I consider myself more of a cocktail mixologist than a cook :) However, if I had to choose a favourite dish to make, it would be a poached egg on toast with avocado, spinach and homemade salted salmon.

Yaroslav: I enjoy cooking, although not on a daily basis. My favourite dishes to cook include variations of noodles or ramen, and baked meat and vegetables i.e. Sunday roast.

 

5. How do you keep your motivation up during the day?

Anton: To be honest, I believe that motivation is nothing, but discipline is everything. Any person who wants to be really successful in business, sport or art should be disciplined in the first place, doing what should be done every day for years, despite all the challenges and sometimes lack of motivation. And I also believe in the importance of good and sufficient rest as a resource for active business activity.

Yaroslav: Planning and organizing my work truly helps in maintaining my motivation throughout the day.

 

6. Do you have some hobbies and if so, which ones?

Anton: Definitely tennis. I started to play when I was 25 and since then it became even more than a hobby. It is a very dynamic, challenging and intellectual sport, which develops not only physical strength and skills but also an ability to focus and overcome psychological challenges during the match. And I’m also a huge fan of kiteboarding, as it gives unbelievable emotions and a feeling of pure freedom and unity with nature when you ride alone far in the sea using the wind as a driving force.

Yaroslav: I play football every weekend with my university friends. Besides, I enjoy reading both nonfiction and fiction (mostly classic) books.

 

7. What is your favourite weekend activity?

Anton: My ideal weekend is always with my daughter Polina. Active and fully engaged time with a kid gives you an opportunity to live your childhood again :) It can be a bicycle ride in the city park, visiting ZOO or an amusement park, or an exciting two-day journey to a new city or country.

Yaroslav: My favourite weekend activity is going for a long bike ride through the sunny streets of Kyiv.

 

8. What did you learn during your time in CIVITTA?

Anton: CIVITTA as a consulting company provides great opportunities for personal and professional development for employees on every level of their careers. I really enjoyed getting new knowledge and experience from joint work with international and diverse project teams. It is challenging but really inspiring.

Yaroslav: During my time in CIVITTA I gained valuable knowledge in various areas as well as improved personal skills crucial for the work. However, one of the most prominent things a person can learn from a Challenger Advisory is the constant strive for finding a better solution and challenging the traditional approaches throughout both work and daily life.

 

9. What do you like most about your team?

Anton: Among all the positive characteristics of the team, I would single out reliability. Reliability means a lot, as the team members work from different cities and countries and often face unbelievable challenges during the ongoing war. And still, the team managed to successfully implement projects, sometimes having daily rocket attacks, often internet and electricity shortages, lack of heating during the winter and other stressful conditions. I really admire our Ukrainian team for this!

Yaroslav: Persistence, creativity, and the ability to find a solution to any problem.

 

10. How would you describe CIVITTA in a few words?

Anton: Supportive, human-oriented and pro-Ukrainian. I personally felt huge support during 2022 from the company and from the CIVITTA community. This support really helped me and the Ukrainian team to live through a very tough and stressful year and to continue active and successful business operations in Ukraine and internationally.

Yaroslav: Company that enables change.