What are the main responsibilities of your position? What’s a typical day like for you at SoftlinkIC?
I oversee sales for Softlink, focusing on our software solutions, Liberty and illumin, across New Zealand, Australia, and the Pacific. A typical day starts with me dropping my daughter off at school and then settling down in front of my computer to make calls and respond to emails from customers and prospects – it’s a mix of connecting with people and helping them find the right solutions for their needs.
“One of the more interesting parts of the role is connecting my former library colleagues to Softlink products. I've crossed the line from Library land into sales, so I'm still kind of in libraries, but just moved sideways a bit!”
When did you join SoftlinkIC and what do you like most about working here?
I joined Softlink in June 2024. I like being able to work from home and meet lots of people via MS Teams – the work is always interesting. I also appreciate the opportunity to travel a little for work. So far I’ve been to Brisbane, Adelaide, and Wellington, and I’m going to LA soon. Many of our customers are in Australia, so I’ve also enjoyed the chance to discover the geography of Australia and orient myself a bit.
What was the last book you read (or listened to)?
The Silk Roads: A New History of the World by Peter Frankopan, which examines the Silk Roads, a network of trade routes that connected the East and the West for centuries. It gave a great overview of world history & tied in nicely with my favorite podcast Fall of Civilisations episodes about the Mongol empire.
What’s one thing about your job that surprises people when you tell them?
That I work entirely from home in New Zealand and that my actual office is three hours flight away in Brisbane!
What is your favorite type of food? (If there’s a list, even better!)
Thai food, Mexican takeaways, pizza – ideally with a nice cold beer. Nice, simple and tasty food which can be eaten with the minimum fuss!
Which 4 people, alive or dead, would you love to share your favorite food with and why?
My family and friends, because they are the people who know me best, and laugh at my Dad jokes. I particularly enjoy meals with my sisters, because I don’t get to see them very often.
If you could be anyone else for a day, who would that be and why?
Honestly, I don’t want to be anyone else. Being myself is enough of a challenge for me. Oscar Wilde is often quoted as saying ‘Be yourself, as everyone else is taken!’
What is one place in the world on your bucket list you most want to visit? Why?
Denmark, Norway, Iceland, and Finland. When I visited Europe in 2002, I missed those parts, and they’re high on my list. I’d especially love to see the Aurora Borealis – it’s a natural wonder I’ve always dreamed of experiencing.