Whenever someone asks me what I do for a living, I like to give them 3 guesses. Just to see what they will come up with.
Most popular answers?
A. Hair Dresser
B. Artist
C. Rock Star
Hmmm. OK.
So what does this say about me?
Obviously people don’t look at Jenny Gale Howe and say,
“That girl looks like she is a Managing Director for a global SaaS company!”
A Meltwater News Managing Director
But what should that look like anyway?? That’s my question.
I’m different. Always have been… and always will be.
I have a whole slew of visible tattoos, an edgy haircut modeled after the notorious Bettie Page, and clothes that look like they stepped right out of an episode of Mad Men…
So how does a girl like me fit into Corporate America?
Luckily, I don’t have to worry about this one bit at Meltwater Group.
The culture at Meltwater is incredibly accepting, and built upon a foundation of characteristics shared by all of the individuals that work for the organization. We are all highly motivated, intelligent team players with incredible amounts of drive, communication skills and personality.
There are actually six criteria that we use to evaluate if a candidate is right for Meltwater News. Lucky for me, they didn’t care that I obviously looked “different” … and instead decided to grade me on the criteria that really mattered.
And what happens when you pull a tight group of people together, with these six strong characteristics?
Well, just take a look at one fun example: the Meltwater News Summer Party 2008 in Phoenix …
We managed to take a fairly straight-forward, lazy river rafting trip and turn it into a competitive war zone where the only thing that mattered was how many buckets a team/raft could acquire, and how much water you could throw on your opponents.
Meltwater News US Summer Party 2008
We had people jumping ship, creating diversions and covertly swimming alongside the opposition, trying to steal the other team’s bucket and get back onto their boat before being intercepted.
Photo taken by Jonas Oppedal, our Executive Director … Showing Ryan, the MD of the Austin office, ready to defend the Austin raft with his life, and his paddle.
Bottom line: This was not your average company trip.
But then again, this is NOT your average company. ☺
We have a unique culture, and a fantastic group of competitive, yet warm individuals who know how to work hard and have fun.
In the New York office alone, the diversity is clear: we have a DJ, a Sri Lankan ballroom dancer who rides Ducati motorcycles, a professional soccer player, a 6’4″ Garth Brooks-loving Southerner, a sassy Jersey girl, and a tattooed Texan. Talk about a motley crew! But we all work extremely well together, and genuinely share a passion for business and a desire to be #1.
1st deal in the NEW Meltwater News Manhattan office brought in by Russ
So with that said … I may cut my own bangs, have an artistic flair or two, and live to play Rock Band , but I also work for a technology company. And I’m happy to say, it’s a perfect fit 
Jenny, Ryan and Frederik play Rock Band after quarterly review
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Love the post, Jenny!! I think i was the first bucket sniper attack. Booya!
I remember Marlon innocently coming along and then stealing our raft’s bucket. Three of us dove in after him to tackle him down. Good memories!
Ha Ha!
I remember that too
No second thoughts … just LAUNCHED ourselves into the water…
I’ve never let Marlon forget that moment!
Jenny, just landed in your home town and reading your post on my phone while waiting for my luggage. Jumping in a cab with a big smile on my face. We need to get the band back together S.F.T.X. Wish the Motley Crew good luck this week for me! See you soon in Miami!:-)
Looks like the entire management team is Swedish. Hardly diverse.
Anon Alon,
Hmm….I’m not sure where you’re getting your information from, but assuming you’re working off of our website, you can probably see the following:
10 Total members of the management team
3 of whom are Norwegian
3 of whom are Swedish
1 of whom is German
1 of whom is Dutch
1 of whom is Indian
1 of whom is American
We also recently had another American join the team to head up our Communications efforts.
That would probably meet anyone’s criteria for diversity, assuming we took the narrow approach of merely looking at nationality as a source of diversity.
I believe Jenny’s post demonstrates a different kind of diversity, namely that of interests, background, and strengths/weaknesses that lead to a well-rounded team.
Just my thoughts…
Daniel
Great post Jenny, and thanks for getting some head shots of me in the blog! You are very unique & that’s why I wanted to hire you
Viva la difference…
you are so gorgeous ,jenny.nice to meet you here! seems you are indeed a great team.if offer me the chance i’d like to join you !