"Colleagues and Personal Growth" Interview with Francesc Comellas, Administration and Finance Manager

Administration and finance is a department that sounds soporific. But it isn’t. In his section of the office, we find Francesc Comellas, a very cool and friendly guy as you can see in the interview below, in which we talk a lot more than just numbers and accounts.

Do you get called Cisco?

I get called Cisco, Cesc and Francesc. In the water polo world I've always been called Cisco. Cesc by the people I met later on, and at work everyone calls me Francesc. I like any of the three options, the one I can't stand is Paco.

Sometimes a Spanish speaker comes up to me and says... we'll call you "Paco". No, we won't.

So you used to play water polo?

For 10 years, until I was 35. This season I have returned to the pools, to lend a hand as a coach with 3 or 4 colleagues.

I already imagined that you were an active person, since you participated in the Oncotrail.

Yes, I do bits. I usually go for a run, although not much lately.

Where exactly are you from?

I am from Manresa, but I live in Canet de Fals, a town next to it.

How did you come to work at Montana Colors?

I was very tired of the agency where I was working due to schedules and work load. I looked for a job through Infojobs and I saw the offer from Montana Colors. It was the first and last one I applied for.

Your job sounds pretty boring no matter where you do it... What's the difference between doing it at an agency or doing it at Montana Colors?

Mainly what changed was the schedule, which was one of the reasons that motivated me to change. At an agency the work is very monotonous. It consists of putting in invoices from the same companies and you do not actually see the real company, so the change of entering a private company where you touch many issues, you see the evolution of the company and the different departments, from manufacturing to the final point of sale... which is much more enriching.

What do you like most about working here?

The first thing is the colleagues I have met here. Some of them are no longer here, but the relationship with the people who work here is excellent. As I told you, the schedule I have now is much better adapted to my way of life and is much more comfortable. Also, the personal growth I have had here and the possibility of seeing the different facets of the company, and also on an administrative level.

At what level are you interested in what happens in Montana outside of numbers and invoices?

It's true that I'm not an artist, as far as I can tell. What interests me most is the professional range... painting the chairs at home and projects like that. Since I've been working at Montana I've already been involved in 3 restoration projects.

And how was the experience?

Well, at the beginning you get it wrong and when you see that you’re not getting it right you read the contents and look for the videos. And from there your technique improves a lot.

How did you find the whole pandemic issue?

Well, on a personal level it was one of the worst experiences of my life, I was working from home with my two children (Blai and Mia) while my wife went away... I wouldn't recommend it even to my worst enemy. Blai was 2 years old and Mia was 1, so imagine working from home with children of those ages.

How do you see your future in the company as far as your job is concerned?

With the entry into the Briolf group and the growth of Montana in terms of subsidiaries, there will be a growth in terms of specializing in international issues, since the national side will be more controlled.

And in water polo?

Well, to try to make sure that the kids who are learning can fly on their own.