The pandemic hit Alexandra Bruckner’s career hard. As the marketing manager in the travel industry, she found herself laid off when the world came to a halt in 2020. What she didn’t know at the time was that the uncertainty would lead to new and exciting opportunities.
First, she decided to try her hand at sales for an assisted living and memory-care facility. But it just wasn’t for her. That’s when Alex stumbled upon a marketing role in Kohler’s Power Group and decided to take another chance. She joined Kohler as a senior market analyst, working on residential and light-commercial generators, as well as KOHLER® Power Reserve™, our new clean-energy product line. “I always feel my best when I am coming up with new ideas—and this job allows me to do that,” Alex explained. “Right now, we’re finalizing next year’s programs for dealers, installers, and wholesalers, and I love thinking outside the box to create process improvements and engaging strategies.”
Now this was more like it. After a disappointing layoff, followed by a role that missed the mark, Alex felt like she had found the right fit—a place she could dig in and build her future. Another thing that was a great fit? The flexible work options. Alex currently follows a hybrid work mode, working mostly from home with a few in-person meetings, team outings, and working lunches each month. “I really like that I can simply walk across the hall from my bedroom to my office and get logged on for the day; no more wasted time commuting,” she said. “It also offers more flexibility to get things done without distraction when I need that quiet focus time. I don’t feel rushed to complete my tasks and am able to literally and figuratively unplug when I close my office door at the end of the day.”
The benefits of hybrid and remote work have extended to our customers, Alex added.
“As we’ve all gotten more and more accustomed to doing things virtually, I think it’s been beneficial for our customers because we’re able to be more flexible with how we engage with them,” she described. “For example, if one of our dealers can’t attend a live webinar we’re hosting, we’re able to follow up with an on-demand link to the presentation so they can watch it at their convenience. Or, if something requires immediate attention, I can often hop on my phone or laptop and take care of it right away, rather than waiting until the next day when I’m back in the office.”
Despite her hybrid work mode, Alex feels very connected to her new team, who make a point to host virtual happy hours and get together in-person at least once a month to do something fun (last month it was axe throwing!). She’s also attends a variety of Kohler-hosted virtual events, like our Leadership Edge Speaker Series and Financial Wellness webinars. “The flexible work approach helps us all stay engaged as a team, accomplish great things together, and also balance work with each of our individual lifestyles,” she said. “It really has been a wonderful experience so far.”