Want to know what it’s really like to work with us?
We followed Claire Lewis, one of our Sales Executives, for a day.
Monday
May 30, 2008
Alarm Set
Event start: 07:00
Event end: 08:40
7.00 a.m.
Wake up…breakfast time! I joined Admiral in 2001, but I still get just
as much of a buzz from working here as I did when I started. So getting
out of bed isn’t too hard (most mornings anyway!).
8.10 a.m.
Leave the house. I don’t live too far from our Cardiff Contact Centre.
It’s right in the heart of the City and there are plenty of buses, so
getting to work is easy. If you’re driving to work there’s a handy car
park just next door too.
8.40 a.m. Get into the Contact
Centre and catch up with my mates. We’re a sociable bunch and we always
take a minute or two to have a chat before it’s time to log in and get
started.
Morning at the office
Event start: 08:50
Event end: 11:00
8.50 a.m.
I like to be logged in and ready to take calls a few minutes early.
It’s better for our customers and gets the day off to a smoother start.
It’s my job to take calls from customers either wishing to set up
insurance policies or to check the information they have entered on one
of our websites and answer queries. Then I close the sale and also meet
the customer’s needs by offering our additional ancillary products. The
business is getting more and more popular so there’s never a dull
moment. Just how I like it.
Morning break
Event start: 11:00
Event end: 11:15
11.00 a.m.
Of course we’re allowed regular breaks and it’s great to have a
breather and a nice cup of tea (I like the odd hot chocolate now and
then too!). All floors have drinks machines, plus there’s always a
plentiful supply of complimentary fresh fruit. Perfect for keeping your
energy levels up.
Lunch
Event start: 12:30
Event end: 13:15
12.30 p.m. We
take our lunch (and our other breaks) on a rota basis to make sure that
there’s plenty of cover for our customers. I often pop out for a
sandwich with some of my mates. There are lots of places to grab a bite
to eat. It’s nice to sit outside in the summer too, just watching the
world go by.
Meet new starters
Event start: 13:30
Event end: 14:00
1.30 p.m.
We’re growing all the time and there are quite a few new starters. This
afternoon I’ve got one of them sitting with me to listen in on some of
my calls, helping them learn the ropes. The training’s really good here
and I love getting involved with the whole induction process. One of
the questions I’m often asked is whether you need previous experience
to work as a Sales Executive. The answer’s simple. No! Just as long as
you’re enthusiastic, willing to learn and self-motivated you could be
big success. Of course you need to be a people person and enjoy talking
to customers! If you’ve got a good personality you're halfway there!
Tea break
Event start: 15:30
Event end: 15:45
3.30 p.m. Time
for another break and I have a chat with Helen, the new starter who’s
been sitting with me. She wants to know about the biggest challenges
that I face. I’d have to say the monthly targets. However, although
they’re challenging, they’re always achievable and one of the reasons I
remain interested and enthusiastic in my job. You’re given plenty of
support from your managers and teammates. Talking of which, I’d better
get back to my team.
Party
Event start: 17:00
Event end: --:--
5.00 p.m.
The end of another busy day…the time just flies by. I’m off home to get
changed before coming back into the City for a party that the managers
are putting on for us. It’s just one of the many benefits I get here.
There are loads more like the Share Incentive Scheme, discounts in
shops and websites, free fruit every day, internet access, sales
incentives - the list goes on! The atmosphere here is professional but
great fun too. So, if you’re target driven, confident, enthusiastic and
a great communicator, you’ll probably love it as much as I do.