Hello there, I'm the 'Accidental' Business Analyst!When I was little, my dream was to become a doctor, but life took me down a different path. Instead of stethoscopes, I found myself dealing with spreadsheets, projects, and processes.My JourneyI started as a receptionist, meant to be a temporary gig until I figured out my next move. While answering phones and directing calls, I noticed problems at the office that could be ironed out with a little tweaking. I dove into the problems, teaching myself coding to create solutions- and you know what? It worked!That little adventure led to promotions, project management, and a whole lot of learning. Then, one beautiful day, I stumbled upon my true calling: Business Analysis. It was love at first sight, truly. I eventually decided to take it up a notch and became a certified Business Analysis Professional.How I Can HelpNo matter where I work, I put my heart into it. As an employee, I've juggled multiple projects across different business units, led my team, fostered strong relationships with stakeholders, and driven numerous continuous improvement efforts.If you're an individual looking for some guidance, I've got your back too! I co-founded a Business Analysis Community of Practice, where like-minded individuals can learn and grow together. Plus, I offer mentoring and coaching sessions to fellow business analysts.The Extra MileFor me, giving back to the community is key. You'll find me volunteering for the IIBA Global and South African Chapter, taking part in events, and serving on their Marketing & Communications Portfolio.When I'm not working, you can catch me blogging away on 'theBAlab,' sharing insights on business analysis. I've even published an article in the prestigious Business Analysis Digest and was a speaker at the IIBA-SA BA Summit.Let's Connect!Whether you want to pick my brain on business analysis, discuss potential collaboration, or just say hi, I'm up for it! Feel free to connect with me or shoot me a message on LinkedIn or an email at rethadelaporte@outlook.com. You can also check out my blog at www.thebalab.com – happy reading!