The Proust SSON Premium Member Questionnaire

Each week, SSON will introduce you to our community by profiling one of our premium members. We set out to reveal that certain ‘je ne sais que’ that makes them forces in their field through work and life experiences. First up - Philip Whelan, the Head of BP’s European Business Service Centre in Budapest, Hungary. He recently led the set-up and building-to-scale of the European BSC, which operates the Finance, Customer Service and Operational Procurement activities of BP’s Refining and Marketing across Europe. A serious fear of flying, yet a million miler – a brave man in my book for being the first to take this questionnaire…. SSON: What is your greatest regret? Philip Whelan: No regrets, only lessons to be learned. SSON: If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently? PH: More diverse education in engineering and then business to develop better acumen and logical thinking. SSON: What looks like the biggest potential for you right now? PH: Impact of mobile technology on the way we work and how that will affect business services, risk .management and the value we can bring to BP. SSON: What is your favorite occupation? PH: Spending time with my family. SSON: In 10 years time - how do you see your current operation being run? PH: By some one else doing it much better than me I hope! That would be success. SSON: Which management books do you read? PH: Stephen Covney SSON: Who are your favorite writers? PH: Mitch Albom – sports writer turned serious SSON: What car do you drive and what should you be driving? PH: Mercedes Convertible – concession to mid life crisis SSON:What's your favorite 10 minute dish that you cook yourself? PH: Vegetable stir fry with Soy sauce – keep it simple SSON:Tell us a behavioral trait we should expect of you? PH: Ability to navigate between strategic thinking and forensic analysis of operating detail SSON: Reveal one weird thing we don't know about you? PH: Serious fear of flying yet a million miler! SSON: What one question would you put to your peers? PH: How do you add value in your role ? SSON: Which historical figure do you most identify with? PH: Nelson Mandela – undoubted spirit, compassion for others and tolerance even in the most difficult situations I could imagine SSON: If your job requires a lot of traveling - what is your favorite journey? PH: Far east for its culture, people and ability to surprise SSON:What is the quality you most like in men? PH: Do we have any qualities? SSON:What is the quality you most like in women? PH: Patience and ability to counsel SSON: What is your motto? PH: You only get one chance at life, don’t screw it up. [inlinead]

The Proust SSON Premium Member Questionnaire

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