Carly McKay

Network Sales Manager

Biography

Published Summer 2010

The first person to undergo the gentle grilling of an Employee Profile in the Samarind Newsletter five years ago was an enthusiastic, 24-year-old new addition to the team - Sales & Marketing Co-ordinator Carly McKay. Since then, Carly's career has continued to develop as Samarind itself has grown.

Carly is now Network Sales Manager, responsible for generating new business and overseeing account management in that side of the business. In 2005 Carly had admitted to experiencing a sharp learning curve in getting to grips with the nuts and bolts of IT. Today she's au fait with 'all the basics', understanding more than enough to recognise the most important thing - what will benefit the customer. In addition, Carly is now in charge of a team: namely, Sales & Marketing Executive Denise Hayes and telemarketer Alison Carroll.

'That's a recent thing,' explains Carly, 'and I'm very lucky to have Denise and Alison. It's another challenge, though. When you're a manager you have to remember to devote some of your time to making sure your team is happy. You have to learn to delegate. Overall you realise it's about helping the people on your team to do their best.

'The great thing is that I'm now free to meet customers - before I had to do the cold calling and the account management myself. Now I can concentrate on finding new business, which I love.
'Every business has got a different problem, but it's rarely unique. I've encountered so many scenarios over the years that nine times out of ten I recognise the issue they have and know that we can help them.'
The Networks sales team is a product of Samarind's continuing success, just one aspect of the growth of the business.

'I've definitely grown up, too!' points out Carly. 'I've learnt a lot, changed a lot. I'm a lot more settled.'
So settled is she that Carly has just bought her first house, with boyfriend Jimmy. Carly met Jimmy on holiday in Ibiza. He's a sign-maker based in Carlisle, Cumbria, but by extending the garage at the house and turning it into a workshop, he'll be able to move his business to Cheshire.

It might be a big move for Jimmy, but certainly not for Carly. By chance the best house they found on the market is in the same street in Boughton, Chester, she was brought up in. 'My nan still lives a few doors down from our new home, in the house my mum was born in,' says Carly. 'I can't wait to move in - hopefully before my upcoming 30th birthday.'

If managing a sales team and moving house wasn't enough to do, Carly also runs numerous fitness and slimming classes during the evenings. The qualified fitness instructor holds various Aerobics and diet and fitness classes.
She explains: 'When I was 23, about the time I came to Samarind, I lost five stone. So I've been there: I know how much better you feel, how it improves your confidence. I understand you need to inspire people, to motivate them.'

 'Being fit and healthy and staying in shape gives you more energy,' adds Carly, revealing the secret of her success. 'It really helps me keep on top of everything. Mind you, it also helps that I love what I do.'