Our favourite part of each month is crowning our star. Although we appreciate every one of our colleagues every single day, over the last few weeks one person has stood out in particular – Laura Patterson.
Laura’s our Project Manager and handles some of our most complex customer projects, as well as managing us through internal change. She’s a master of organisation, a great communicator and makes sure that everything is always on track.
We’ll let Laura tell you the rest…
1. How long have you been at Windsor Telecom?
7 Years – I joined the company in March 2016 as a Customer Account Manager and quite quickly became a New Business Advisor as I was drawn to the buzz of solution selling to new logo clients. As we grew, I spent time training and supporting a new team of Business Development Executives. During that time I realised that I loved the customer conversation, organisation and task management more than I did the actual sales part of my role and was inspired to change my career into Operations and Project Management where I’ve definitely found my calling.
2. Tell us a bit about your day to day responsibilities.
I always have several projects on the go, both internal and client facing. These range from implementing new processes and systems within our internal teams to deploying new products and services to our clients. My day-to-day responsibilities include keeping colleagues and clients informed and up to date with project progress, planning deployment schedules, issuing work requests to the service delivery teams and conducting review meetings. The best part is that no two days are the same – I’m kept on my toes and am constantly learning.
3. What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned so far in your career?
The most important thing that I have learned is that no matter how many people that you have that support you, it’s always down to you to make a difference in your career. No one is going to hand you anything on a plate, you have to know what you want, and work hard for it. Also, never be afraid to ask why.
4. What changes would you like to see in the telecoms industry over the next decade?
The 4-day working week becoming standard across the industry!
5. What’s your favourite project you’ve worked on at Windsor? Why?
My favourite project so far has been working with the National Coastwatch Institution and helping them to migrate their stations’ connectivity and telephony over to Windsor Telecom. It’s not been an easy task as some of the stations are in the most remote of locations, on cliff edges with each one having different suppliers and contracts. However, it has been so rewarding helping them to achieve their goal of moving their comms into the digital world, ensuring they are future proofed and streamlining their suppliers at the same time. The NCI are a fantastic charity and not only that, the staff and volunteers are a joy to work with.
6. What do you like to do in your spare time?
I’m a mum of 3 boys who are 5, 10 and 15 so, with their differing ages, my time with them is varied but almost always involves football! If I ever have any time just for me and the weather is nice, I love to walk while listening to audio books, it’s a great way to really escape without going too far. I also love a drink or two when there’s an occasion and if there’s karaoke you won’t be able to stop me belting out some classics, not that I can sing a note!
7. Any fun facts or hidden talents we don’t know about you?
I appeared on channel 4’s Deal or No Deal in 2014, it was great fun!
8. What’s one thing you can’t live without?
Family – I’m from a big family, and they are everything to me.
9. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
To teleport – I haven’t seen enough of the world and would love to travel more.
10. If you could meet any three people, dead or alive, who would they be and why?
Ricky Gervais – I just think he’s hilarious and I love his views on so many things
Beyonce – Because “Listen” is one of my karaoke classics and we can sing it together
Princess Diana – She was such an inspirational woman
Thanks Laura, it was great getting to know you and we’re so happy to have you as part of the Windsor team!
