Women of Swarovski - Lia Canonica

This month, we are thrilled to introduce you to Lia Canonica (-Würsch) . Lia shares her inspiring journey of ‘shifting gears’, a crucial skill in navigating life's ever-changing landscape – it allows us to speed up at times and slow down at others. Lia's recipe for success is rooted in her admirable stubbornness, harnessed positively through resilience and unwavering determination. She seizes opportunities and embarks on a journey of self-discovery. This, coupled with her unyielding commitment to genuine care, irrespective of job titles, has propelled Lia to her current position. And, of course, we can't overlook the Italian expression "testa dura," which translates to 'hard head' and serves as a companion during moments of self-doubt.

Are you curious to learn more?

Can you tell us about your path – how did you get to where you are?

Stubbornness, curiosity, as well as sincere care – this mix has led me to where I am today. There are people who have always known what they will do when they grow up or at least have known their main strengths. I was never that kind of person. Performing relatively well at many things at school was not helping to clarify my future path. I was curious about many things, but nothing was really calling my name out loud. With few resources, I directed my faith at the good old decision by exclusion. First - the scientific direction: math and physics. Second direction: management. I thought management was broad enough to allow me many different options. And one of them drew my attention: marketing turned out to really pique my interest. Being inquisitive, I started reflecting on it – is marketing really IT? The feeling peaked during my internship conveniently combined with writing my master's thesis. I was doing this in a luxury watch-making company, being co-responsible for event organization. Theory into practice and real contribution. It did not matter really what it was, as long as I was creating, shaping, and delivering experiences. The concept of creating experiences turned out to be much deeper and more tangible for me. That led me to understand the direction in which I wanted to shape my career. Upon venturing beyond the comfortable confines of the university path, I faced a harsh reality check, and this is where my stubbornness proved invaluable. I was unwavering in my determination to live and work in Zurich, where my friends and future husband resided. It took me nearly a year to secure a job. The primary challenge I had to overcome was my non-native German-speaking background. Swarovski was the place where I found my opportunity. I began my journey as a member of the integrated communication team in marketing, starting as an intern under a 6-month contract. I seized this opportunity to showcase my potential and commitment to my work. Following the completion of this initial experience, I continued to persevere and stayed true to my convictions. Eventually, I received a call from my former line manager, who needed internal communication support for the Fit-For-Future program, a transformative initiative within the Finance & Administration department. My hard work was acknowledged, and it paid off in the end. My heart leaped with joy at the prospect of another opportunity, even though marketing and F&A appeared to be worlds apart. I refused to let assumptions cloud my judgment and approached this new opportunity with an open heart, allowing myself to be intrigued. Subsequently, I assumed the role of communication manager for the Program responsible for implementing ServicePoint. At the time, I held some reservations about this assignment. Nevertheless, I had nothing to lose and everything to gain – the thought that 'I could truly grow through this project' echoed persistently in my mind. I decided to embrace curiosity. This journey has brought me to where I am today: GBS Service Management, a place where I can craft, mold, and deliver exceptional service experiences.

What setbacks did you experience in your career? How did you overcome them?

Without a doubt, becoming a mom has been, and still is, my most significant challenge. Simultaneously, it has also proven to be my greatest source of joy. I have always held strong convictions about starting a family at a relatively young age, while also valuing professional fulfilment and making an impact. The weighty questions incessantly echoed in my mind - should we start a family now? Sharing and discussing my thoughts with a trusted colleague helped me confront my fears and gain clarity about my true desires. I would be disingenuous if I claimed that parenting two young children, aged 5 and 2, is easy. Life unexpectedly departs from predictability. Transitioning into part-time work felt constraining. Even seemingly simple tasks like leaving work on time or rescheduling meetings to accommodate my working hours became a daily personal struggle. With initial skepticism but genuine curiosity, I seized the opportunity for coaching available within the company. Reflecting on myself proved invaluable in recognizing my own behavioral patterns. It dawned on me that I needed to relinquish perfectionism and accept circumstances while doing my best. The fear of others undervaluing my contributions and capabilities incessantly preoccupied my thoughts. However, as I continued my journey, I encountered nothing but support. This reassurance helped me understand that I was not alone and that there is a way to make it work. The key is to acknowledge my own needs and speak up, caring for what is important to me while also learning to take care of myself. In doing so, I can give my very best to others. I strive to work on this every day, some days more successfully than others.

What is the one piece of advice that you would give to all of us out there?

As you may have learned from my story, I believe that the most important achievements result from determination, curiosity, and sincere care. As long as you demonstrate all of these qualities, you will be able to recognize and embrace new opportunities. Despite the constraints, fears, and doubtful thoughts – they are there for you to conquer. At the end of the day, you have absolutely nothing to lose. Life is a matter of choices, and each of us is in the driver's seat. I have chosen to be a wife, mom, friend, and working professional. However, none of this would be possible alone. I am incredibly grateful for my family, my mentors, colleagues, and friends who believe in me and support me every day. I feel privileged.