When did you Join SMG?
June 2014.
Describe your role in a nutshell?
I manage the relationships we have with external media partners.
What do you enjoy most about working at SMG?
The people, and the team spirit. The culture at SMG provides such a nice environment to work in because everyone is heading in the same direction, everyone helps each other out and it's just a great place to work.
What aspects of your role keep you challenged and curious?
The only thing that I'd say is constant at SMG is change! One of our biggest strengths as an agency is that we're independently owned, we're agile, we can adapt to changing circumstances quickly without letting it affect our output as a business. While this is definitely challenging in itself, it's so rewarding to know that we're capable of adjusting our sights according to any obstacles that are thrown at us - and we've proved that this year.
Which SMG value would you say is your favourite and why?
Stay Hungry is really important - it's important as soon as you join, and it never stops being a key part of your work at SMG. Everyone at SMG has a "winner's mentality" and is always pushing for more and trying to drive the business forward. As a manager I'm always trying to exemplify that as a core value because if I can demonstrate the importance of this to any member of my team, it will stand them in good stead for the rest of their career with us.
What piece of advice would you give to someone starting SMG?
Keep the values in mind when approaching every task - if you live by those values at work, then you'll do really well in the business. I'd also say be adaptable, roll with the punches and be ready for change because that's a key part of life at SMG and it's important that we remain pragmatic.
How have things changed over the last year?
We've shown how adaptable we are! Like the rest of the country, we were just sent home from work one day without knowing when any of us would be able to be back in the office, and we've completely adapted our ways of working as a business. We've shown how flexible we are and everyone's really joined forces, which is great to be a part of.