Andrea Ferber: 20 Years at Axonlab

 

Andrea Ferber has been part of Axonlab’s story for 20 years. With a lot of passion, a great sense of humor, and a workday shaped by freedom, responsibility, and the Axonlab philosophy, Andrea has grown alongside the company. In this interview, she shares how she ended up at Axonlab by pure chance, which experiences have stayed with her the most, and why Axonlab has long been more than just a workplace for her.

Andrea Ferber
Key Account Manager

What motivated you to choose Axonlab 20 years ago?

I was referred to Axonlab through my former employer, because my career advisor recommended I switch into sales. The plan was to stay for 1 to 2 years…

How have you developed over this time, and what changes have you experienced?

I’ve matured: a few more wrinkles in my face, reading glasses, my hair needs to be dyed, and my learning curve isn’t going up anymore — it’s going down. But the most important thing is that the fun at work and the enjoyment of my tasks at Axonlab stay the same!

What do you appreciate most about working at Axonlab?

The Axonlab philosophy. The freedom to work in my area like my own entrepreneur — with all the freedom that comes with it, but also with taking responsibility for the consequences of my decisions and actions.

Is there a project or experience that has stayed especially in your memory?

Over the past 20 years, there have been many funny, sad, and quirky moments. But the one that stuck with me the most is this scene: a “crime scene” in a café in the heart of Zurich. I meet a colleague there to discuss an upcoming appointment, and I bring my parents’ dog with me. My mother also comes to the café to pick up the dog, but of course she doesn’t know my colleague. I’m at the self-service counter getting coffee, my colleague is on the phone at the table with the dog tied up next to her. My mother walks up to the table, unties the dog, and walks away with it… The rest is easy to imagine.

What is your favorite product at Axonlab and why?

I like the large wet chemistry analyzers (ABX Mira Data Plus / Selectra Pro S) — because these systems are just as stubborn to handle as I am. If you handle them the wrong way, moving the Matterhorn would probably be easier.

What advice would you give to someone who has just started at Axonlab?

Take the company as it is — with all its positive aspects and all its challenges. You can’t change Axonlab — but Axonlab changes you. Accept it, learn from it, and benefit from it!

What special talent do you have that most people don’t know about?

I could have had talent on the piano — but instead I learned the violin for 8 years. Even without lessons, my piano playing was always better than my violin playing… to my parents’ dismay.

What three things would you take with you to a deserted island?

My dog, my camera, and my camper van so I can sleep somewhere dry… that’s all I need to be happy.

You can give a colleague at Axonlab a “you’re-an-amazing-colleague” award. Who would you give it to and why?

I would clearly give my award to Tamara Hensel. She has had to manage and tolerate me — an unmanageable employee — as my supervisor for 20 years.