This blog series gives insight into the day-to-day life of LoyaltyLion’s employees. We’ll look at members from all teams, diving into their roles and responsibilities, how they started their careers and what they like to do in their spare time.
So let’s meet Kerri Barnes who is a Partnerships Manager.
What is your morning routine?
The commute is a really important part of my morning routine. My 40-minute cycle to the office always woke me up and got me ready for the day, so while we’re working from home, I try to mimic the ritual with a walk, run or cycle. I enjoy tuning into The Economist while getting ready. I’ll then head downstairs for a big brekkie with my housemates, pour a giant cup of tea and settle in for my morning Zoom stand up with the team.
Why does what you do matter?
We’re starting to expand the partnerships function at LoyaltyLion, and our team’s impact on new business revenue is growing rapidly, so it’s an exciting time! We’re responsible for building and nurturing the company’s relationships with leading ecommerce agencies and tech vendors across the world. This generates conversations for the sales team and boosts our brand reputation in ecommerce circles.
How did you get the job?
I was an internal hire for the partnerships role. I worked in the sales team for nearly two years, where I progressed quickly, beat targets and brought on some of our highest paying clients. I was excited to apply for a role in the partnerships team when it became available, as it seemed like a natural progression for me, and I looked forward to developing a new skill set. The internal interview processes were supportive, clear and structured – there was no awkwardness as I moved teams. I’m glad I made the move and my sales team history has helped improve partnerships-sales processes and relations.
What does a typical day look like?
To be honest, there isn’t such a thing as a “typical” day. There are a few staples, like our internal meetings, but as I manage partner relationships across all timezones, flexibility throughout the day is required. Tasks can range from arranging “lunch and learn” sessions in other companies’ offices and presenting at events, to managing my inbox, catching up with my partners, coordinating with the sales team, reporting and more. No two days are the same and I enjoy that!
How do you spend your evening?
Even with the restrictions of the new “socially distanced normal”, I still enjoy the advantages of living in a global city. I cycle everywhere, and love to meet friends in parks, have takeaway pints, swim in the river Thames, and host garden dinner parties. I’m looking forward to London opening up more, so I can get back to trying out new restaurants and bars, grabbing last minute theatre ticket deals and more.
What’s your proudest achievement at LoyaltyLion?
My proudest achievement has been the quick and ongoing progression. LoyaltyLion was my first job after graduating and I knew little about SaaS or ecommerce. Two and a half years and lots of hard work later, I’ve had several promotions, and now I personally manage many of LoyaltyLion’s most important global partnerships.
Tell us your favorite thing about LoyaltyLion?
It has to be the people. Over the last two and a half years, I’ve seen the company grow from 10 employees to nearly 50, and what’s incredible is that we’ve managed to keep the collaborative and lighthearted culture. I genuinely look forward to coming in each day and having morning chats in the kitchen, lunch breaks with everyone on the roof terrace, and after-work drinks in our local. I work with a fantastic group of people, which inspires and drives my work every day!
What advice would you give to someone thinking of joining the company?
Work hard and you will be recognized. You’re not a small fish in a giant pond here; your ideas will be listened to, and your good work rewarded. We have an incredible progression structure, so if you’re looking to make your impact and accelerate your career, this is the place to do it.
Interested in joining the LoyaltyLion Partnerships team? Take a look at our careers page for all of our current job opportunities.
About the author
Kerri Barnes
Kerri is a Partnerships Manager here at LoyaltyLion. She speaks German, French and is learning Italian. She has two golden retrievers named Dobby and Neville, who you can find on Instagram.
This article originally appeared in the LoyaltyLion blog and has been published here with permission.
