Length of service: 14 years
1. Describe what you do.
My job is to ensure the SAM sales office runs smoothly for all internal and external functions, so we can support our customers’ needs. We are the second largest department in SAM and it is important that all team members are kept up-to-date with lead times and available capacity to ensure our customers can get what they need when they need it. Priorities can change daily and hourly sometimes, so being able to react quickly to the needs of the department is vital.
2. What’s the best advice you can give to someone who just started their career?
Never stop asking questions! Early on in career with SAM, I was given this advice and I have used it for the past 14 years. Every day is a learning day, whether it be from a colleague or a customer, and it is important to keep challenging yourself.
3. When you are at work, how do you motivate yourself?
I always have a to-do list that is full. I find that I can conquer it best if I can get some quick wins marked off the list early in the day and then allow myself the time and space to work on more complicated tasks.
4. What are the toughest challenges you’ve had at work?
Covid has to be one of the toughest challenges that I have faced at work. It took a while to adapt to the new routine and not having my full team around me was hard. Ensuring our customers were kept up-to-date whilst navigating our way through the new challenges that Covid brought was vital for SAM.
5. In terms of successes, which accomplishments are you most proud of?
As a team, we have monthly, quarterly and annual targets and we always strive to achieve these. I am proud of how we all work together to achieve a common goal.
I also feel an immense sense of pride when I am speaking to our customers and hear that they have achieved one of their targets because of how we have helped them. Watching our customers grow and knowing that we have helped them on that journey is lovely.
I am most proud though when I hear our customers talk positively about our team. They work hard every day and the positive feedback makes it all worthwhile.
6. How have you grown professionally while part of the SAM team?
When I joined SAM, I was the Finance Manager and I was in that position for 7 years. This role was very structured and gave me great insight into many other departments at SAM. When I moved across to the Sales Department, I was able to see SAM from a different viewpoint having such close connections with the customer base. It has allowed me to grow professionally and still stay within the same company which I am very proud of.
7. Tell me something about you that most people don’t know.
I am a coach for an under-6 girls football team. We welcome 26-30 girls every Tuesday evening to have fun and learn some fundamental ball skills. Some nights it is chaotic, and I ask myself why, but they always leave with a smile on their face, a sweet in their pocket and they come back the next week. I also win some bonus mummy points with my girls as I am fun for an hour!
8. What’s one item you can’t live without?
I would have to say my Bluetooth headphones. I spend a lot of time on my phone to customers and colleagues and they allow me to multitask. I refer to them as my diamonds as they are literally that precious to me.
9. What’s the first concert you ever attended?
The first concert I attended was Westlife! I have since broadened my musical collections and enjoy listening to a vast array of artists.
10. If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Spaghetti meatballs. It is one of my favourite dishes to cook and it is a winner with the kids!
If you need to get in touch with Lisa or any of the internal sales team,
call +44 (0)28 9442 8288 or email team@samonline.co.uk.