Coffee Cup Corner: Q&A with Faye Cornell, Marketing Administrator
In this month’s edition of Xenia’s Coffee Cup Corner series, we hear from our Marketing Administrator Faye Cornell, who talks about keeping a happy balance between working hard and having fun!
How long have you worked at Xenia?
I joined Xenia , on a part-time basis, back in March 2018 as a temp, assisting the Marketing Team with database cleansing.
What this role means/area is:
My role has changed a few times during my time here. I now am involved, still part-time, with the direct marketing of the company. In very general terms, this includes: overseeing and expediting new marketing campaigns (from beginning to end), day to day monitoring of companies on our data base and liaising with and setting calls for our amazing telemarketers!
What do you like about Xenia/Why do you like working for Xenia?
It is nice to be back in a vibrant and entrepreneurial company like Xenia, after quite a few years out of the office environment. I spent some time working in the education sector when my son was younger, and prior to that I was a buyer for a Greek Shipping Company in London, but the Xenia culture makes it a very enjoyable place to work.
A piece of advice you'd give your younger self?
Wow – I guess it would be not to take anything for granted, be that in your working life or personally. Life has a habit of throwing curve balls your way and you have to constantly adapt and learn to compromise, to ensure you can meet new challenges and live life to the full. Also, try to have as much fun as possible, without hurting others on the way.
What do you do at Xenia and what does your typical day look like?
I only work part-time, thus when I get back into the working week, I am quite often initially catching up on emails and working out what needs to be done that week or going forward. Often I am actioning a new data file that has been passed on, updating our CRM system or starting a completely new direct marketing campaign (this is a very simplified version of my days!!). I do spend a lot of time cleansing data in excel sheets, locating correct company information and ensuring we are doing are best to have viable information within our data base, that will hopefully allow our Telemarketers and sales to get appointments with potential new clients.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I definitely enjoy the role more, when I can fully immerse myself in a direct marketing campaign, from beginning to end and even more so, if it is one I have either initiated or that the Telemarketers or Sales have given an insight into. It’s even more rewarding if and when, we get some positive feedback from the campaigns!
What's the strangest / funniest / most memorable thing you’ve had to do in your current role?
We have all had some fun experiences in Xenia and everyone likes to work hard, but they also like to let their hair down. I have a story from our first Xenia Away Day – but I cannot really share it here!! As they say – ‘What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!'
How has the job changed since you started your career?
The role is evolving and I am working from home, a lot more these days. This does have its advantages, especially when you need some peace and quiet, trailing through pages of data. However, it’s good to catch up with everyone as well.
I think the next year will lead to a lot more changes and adapting the direct marketing campaigns away from traditional methods and into a more current, technologically based and ever changing environment.
Tell us something most people don't know about you/what's your hidden talent?
Hidden talent – well it’s not winking or whistling, as I can do neither! I am a frustrated artist and love doing anything in that sector, be it painting (a few of my own artworks are on my walls and some of friends and family) or interior design (sadly only my own home).
What job would you be doing if you weren't doing this one?
Further to the above, this would be anything with an arty influence. I would have loved to design wild and wacky clothes for the rich and famous, or be given free rein to interior design their homes.
Who's your greatest hero or heroine and why?
I cannot have only one – so a list:
Maybe cliché, but first off is my mum. She was just an all-round good, honest and humble human being, who’s guidance has ensured I have stayed on the straight and narrow.
David Bowie, as his influence on the music industry is second to none.
Robert Smith from The Cure – just because, he has to be included.
Richard Burton – purely for the voice.
Alex Ferguson – because his era as manager for Manchester United was record breaking and awe inspiring. Notably, in my eyes, it was his belief in the youth team and raising young British talent to the highest level attainable.
What do you do to relax?
Exercise, bath, wine, music – simple!
To find out more about the people behind Xenia head over to last month’s Coffee Cup Corner episode with our colleague Joe Nelson.