Lynda Allouche

The beginning

As is often the case, one job leads to the next and hence it was my former job at Danimex Algeria Eurl that led me to Kosan Crisplant (part of MAKEEN Energy, ed.). At the time, I worked for Danimex who was the agent in Algeria. In 2005, I decided to start my own business, Franklyn SARL, and I took the agency with me. As a part of the Franklyn business, I established Kosan Crisplant's local office in Algeria and I co-managed the company from 2005-2014.

Where I am today

In 2014, it was decided to close down Kosan Crisplant Algeria, but due to our extensive, local network and contacts in the area backed by trust from the management, all the activities from the Algerian office were assumed by Franklyn. Besides this business, Franklyn manages consultancy jobs for the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Companies with interest in Algeria and other Maghreb-countries. Since 2014, Franklyn has been the official agent and service partner for MAKEEN Energy in Algeria.

The best thing about working for MAKEEN Energy

MAKEEN Energy is the place to gain both new acquaintances and close friendships. In my time as part of the company, I have been blessed with friends from all over the world; Denmark, France, Mexico, Portugal, Malaysia, Cameroun, America, Germany and Romania - the list is long and precious to me.

Working with these people, I have gained knowledge I could not do without. I have learned to work across borders in an international organisation expanding my teamwork skills. To put the fish on the table, and not be afraid of saying no or disagreeing is something I have had to get used to. I have learned to love my job every day, but most importantly, I found out that a fancy job title is worthless if you cannot form trustworthy relations, if you have a bad attitude or if you lack modesty or honesty. Simply, I have grown both professionally and personally.

Being a woman in a man's world

Times are changing and slowly it is becoming normal for women to work in this industry. Having said that, it is still amusing to see the surprised looks on the customers' faces each time a woman enters a site or a meeting room.

In Algeria, men generally prefer talking to other men, which is also my experience with customers. They feel limited in expressing themselves when talking to a woman and some men tend to become shy and feel that they have to choose their words more carefully. This often limits the information that I am given and gives rise to misunderstandings.

Nonetheless, I also have customers who are very comfortable in my presence and prefer to have me join meetings. I speak their language and this automatically builds trust between us. They do not see me as a foreign supplier who is out to get them.

In the LPG industry, you meet challenges every day. With that being said, it has always been a pleasure working in this industry and for MAKEEN Energy. Long-lasting friendships have been developed, and I have learned so much from my male colleagues. As a woman, you have to be strong, easy-going and ready to accept that women and men are different. But in the end, we depend on each other and represent different strengths for the benefit of everyone.