Meet the Team: Anat Bakal, Our Japan and Israel Sales Manager, Reveals How Her Far Eastern Studies Brought Her to Ophir

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I love to travel, explore new places, and meet new people. Traveling frees my mind and soul and I do it whenever I can. I enjoy traveling with my family and friends, discovering new cultures and tasting new flavors.

I love extreme sports – rappelling, race driving, and skiing – but I also love curling up with a good book or going to the movies.

What brought you to Ophir?

I served as an electronics technician in the Israeli Air Force. When I started university, I majored in Far East Eastern studies, economics and marketing, and I even learned Japanese.

When I graduated, I looked for employment opportunities in the South East Asia Market, particularly Japan. When Ophir was looking to expand their photonics market in South East Asia, it was a dream come true, combining my love of the Far East, electronics, and marketing. And I have been with Ophir ever since.

What is your favorite part of your work?

It sounds like a cliché but my favorite part of my work is the people. My colleagues at Ophir are unique and special. We call it the “Ophir culture.”

I always find opportunities to learn about new applications, grow my knowledge base, and meet people in other companies. It broadens my horizons and challenges me to continue to find ways to solve problems.

How do you keep up on the latest developments in the photonics industry? 

I can’t overemphasize the need to stay up-to-date in the photonics industry. We are at the forefront of technological innovation which means that we need to keep pace with advancements. More importantly, we need to have a deep understanding of new technologies and their applicability.

When I visit customers or attend conferences and exhibitions, I am always on the lookout for the latest technology in that field. It is very important to “listen” when you visit customers because that’s how you stay attuned to the latest developments and customer pain points.

What are the common questions from customers in your field?

I find that customers are usually interested in ROI – finding the best yet most affordable solution for their needs. They don’t want to compromise on safety and they want to be certain that our product’s power and energy meter allows them to work within their own defined safety limits.