Ashur (Ash) Lazar joined Prismatik in 2019 to focus on leading our team and developing relationships. He is a super positive person with years of experience in digital transformation and implementation. Read on to get to know Ash a little better.
Can you tell us a little about what you do and what a typical day looks like for you?
As Primatik's General Manager, I look for new commercial opportunities, engage with existing clients and provide advice when needed to our team but also to our partners.
A typical post COVID-19 day starts with waking up early to get the kids ready for school (at home) with all the chaos that entails.We started full-time working from home measures in early March, but I still like to change into a more professional attire just so I feel that I’m starting the work day. I go through my emails first thing, which can take some time. Then, most days, there are meetings via Zoom or Skype or Slack. During this time I’m also helping the kids with their schooling when they need it. It’s a juggle but we’re managing it pretty well.
What inspired you to pursue this career path?
I would say there was no specific plan to do what I’m doing now. I’ve always been curious and empathic and I think that combination lends itself to what I do. Relationships are important to me and what I do at Prismatik leans into that.
What is the best part of your job?
That’s easy, having great conversations with people that are passionate about what they want to build or achieve. If I can contribute in any meaningful way, all the better.
Many women in the tech industry have felt their gender has affected the way they are treated in the workplace and industry. Have you seen that happen? How did you handle it?
I don’t feel that I am qualified to answer that from a woman’s perspective but I can talk about my experience in the workforce.
I have never felt any doors were closed to me, I’ve always felt confident that I would be judged by my deeds and not by how I looked or my gender. When I was younger I had no idea what a privileged, and frankly lucky, situation to be in. As I’ve grown older I’ve become acutely aware of those privileges and seen family members, close friends and work colleages that are women be judged by things that have nothing to do with their work, unfairly and always by men. I think things are changing but too slowly, and it’s up to all of us, men and women in our daily actions and decisions to make sure change does come.
What advice would you give to someone starting their career in the tech industry? Be fearless, especially if you are younger, try everything, make mistakes, learn from them, make new mistakes.
Is there any advice you wish you had known at the start of your career?
I wish I had known that, I would have started things more quickly and ended things that were not working also more quickly.
