Looking back on the last two years , I can say I have achieved the two major things I was looking for after graduation: I have received many responsibilities quickly and started working with real clients within the first week on the job. I was never singled out as the “new one,” but a member of the office and the team immediately. After 8 months as a Sales Consultant, I was promoted into a management position, leading my own team.
With regards to International experience: I started writing this blog post from an apartment in “The Rocks,” a part of Sydney where I had been living now for two and a half months, organizing the foundation and incorporation of Meltwater News’ very first Kiwi office — Auckland. This has actually been a dream of mine ever since I started at this company, as I had visited New Zealand twice and I always wanted to know what it would be like to actually live and do business there.
The last few weeks of heading up the Auckland office have been busy – and leaving my family, friends and colleagues was not easy either. And guys, how are you supposed to move to a new country with a baggage allowance of only 23 kg? I sent two huge boxes to the other end of the world, and more will follow I suppose…
Right after arriving in the Meltwater office in Sydney (where the Auckland team would start and train) I got right into taking care of the recruiting for Auckland and tried to familiarize myself with this regional market. By the end of February, we had found great candidates in New Zealand. The recruiting there was more than successful and we met many outstanding people.
The month of March was dedicated to preparing for our new employees to arrive in Sydney for their two-month training period. But even more so, it was about organizing a lot of things to start the new office– talking to lawyers, researching tax affairs and accountants. It was quite intense to go through all of the legal requirements, most often totally different from the ones in Germany. A lot of time was spent being in contact with our HQ, but finally seeing the certificate of the new company in front of me was a very proud moment for me. In addition to that, I focused on doing business in the Australian-New Zealand market myself. Still there was enough time to get to know and enjoy Sydney – a fantastic city.
At the beginning of April, five people started in the Auckland team, remotely based in Sydney. The last few weeks have certainly been stressful, because in addition to “business as usual” my team and I had to get lots of things organized. But now, looking back on this time, I don’t remember as much the stressful moments, but more all the fun ones we shared in Sydney. We’ve had great feedback sessions and when the new Auckland guys got their first clients on board it was very exciting! As their manager, those moments have been more thrilling and rewarding than anything else, where everything truly pays off. Also, to see how we grew together as a team was remarkable. All that hard work has paid off in sales: the Auckland office hit both of our first two targets – very proud and happy!
This first phase of training in Sydney is over now and just a week ago we all moved to Auckland. We are absolutely psyched to be in New Zealand now and in our own, new office – we’re definitely just getting started!!! So next time, more on how we found our office, and a bit more on what’s happening in Auckland.
Auckland hits office target!
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So great to read this Kathi! Congrats