Andrea Salgado and the Art of Staying One Step Ahead

Ownership is easy to talk about. Andrea Salgado makes it visible.

Andrea is a Senior Associate in Dialectica’s Bogota office, recently recognized for embodying Ownership. She is known for staying one step ahead of client needs and delivering consistent results.

Here is how Andrea turns ownership into results, and why she calls Dialectica Colombia, certified as a Great Place to Work, a genuinely cool place to build a career.

You were recognized as an Ownership ambassador. What does Ownership mean to you in your day to day work?

Ownership means caring deeply about my work, accounts, team members, and experts. Exceptional client service keeps projects active. I stay close to my clients and ask for their input whenever a search is not giving the expected results. Asking for help and recognizing mistakes matters just as much as sharing great profiles.

You joined Dialectica in early 2025 and are now a Senior Associate. How has your role evolved since you started?

When I started, my focus was on learning effective research and expert management. As a Senior Associate, my priority shifted to our clients: building relationships, staying on top of their needs, and managing projects. I have learnt to be patient with results and to cover every company from all angles. You can save the month on the last day, but only with a good pipeline.

Staying one step ahead of client needs is a big part of how you work. How do you anticipate what a client needs before they ask?

It starts with understanding the project's goal and why the client wants to speak with specific experts or companies. I do some quick research and use AI tools to plan how to target the right angles. On screening calls, I also ask experts for extra market context, which helps me prepare for what the client will need next.

Feedback is a regular part of your routine. How do you use it to keep improving, and what advice would you give someone new to receiving it?

Make a conscious effort to frame feedback as genuine support rather than personal judgment. With so many moving parts in our daily work, a reliable coach is essential for an honest performance check.

Hitting your goals month after month takes real consistency. What helps you keep a positive mindset and keep going when results take time?

I focus on what I can control and on knowing I gave every project my best effort. A slow month is normal, and as long as poor delivery or a lack of urgency wasn't the cause, I stay confident results will catch up. One month doesn't define you. On tough days, take a breath, ask a teammate for help, grab an ice cream, and try again.

What is the "secret ingredient" that makes Dialectica Colombia a Great Place to Work?

The direct connection to real world business and global markets. From M&As to new product developments, you are exposed to the latest trends every day, and speaking with CEOs and industry experts worldwide is genuinely cool. I have worked on energy, automotive, vitamins and supplements, and even theatre schools for kids. Learn new skills like effective communication and negotiation, and stop fearing the word no.

What is your #1 piece of advice for a new Dialectican or prospective candidate?

Take full advantage of the chance to speak with experts across niche markets and build real connections. Focus on what you can control: screen everyone, send terms, keep experts warm, and be human with them. You may see the results of this month's work two months from now, so stay consistent and it will pay off.

Ready to own your results?

Andrea's path shows that consistency and caring deeply about the people you work with can turn slow months into strong ones. If you are ready to bring that same ownership to work, we want to hear from you.

Explore our open roles at dialectica.io/careers