Within the newest of our “Highlight on…” collection we discuss to Anouska Ameratunga, Business Specialist and casual (effectively, formal actually) Social Secretary, about combating unhealthy knowledge and planning large events…
Why did you be part of Octopus?
It’s uncommon for firms to all the time need the most effective for the shopper, and I all the time wished to work for an organization which wished to do proper by the shopper and never simply consider their very own earnings.
This was the primary job I utilized for after shifting from New Zealand. I hadn’t deliberate on working within the vitality business, however once I began I simply liked the folks and the job itself may be very fascinating – I have been right here for almost a 12 months already.
What do you do at Octopus?
I cowl all of the business points that crop up, equivalent to faulty transfers, agreed readings, crossed meters, that kind of factor. When one thing goes improper and we have to contain different suppliers or business our bodies, I am the one who takes care of it.
What’s it like chatting with different suppliers?
Different suppliers could be actually pleasant, however there are additionally situations when they are often very pushy, and what they wish to do isn’t all the time within the buyer’s pursuits.
What I discover actually troublesome concerning the vitality business, typically, is that there’s plenty of unhealthy knowledge. We inherit this unhealthy knowledge when a buyer joins us and generally they’ve this notion that we’ve tousled, however in truth a earlier provider was accountable.
If a meter alternate occurred a 12 months in the past, for instance, and the outdated provider did not replace the nationwide database, we may change an incorrect meter, or expect a 4 digit meter as a substitute of a 5 dial meter on the shopper’s account. This causes pointless frustration for the shopper and plenty of work for us to get it fastened.
How is what you do totally different to different suppliers?
We all the time take into consideration the shopper and what’s finest for them, and I don’t suppose different suppliers essentially do the identical. Additionally, different suppliers normally filter their work by totally different groups. So perhaps if it was a crossed meter you’d be chatting with the crossed meters group, or the faulty transfers group, whereas with us, we observe it by so there’s only one particular person coping with your question. So you probably have a query that one particular person responds and understands the entire scope of it. This makes issues a lot easier for patrons.
And you are the gal who types the events, proper?
Yeah, I type out birthdays and different stuff, and I really like doing it as I believe it creates a very nice working atmosphere. I’m additionally serving to to coordinate London Pleasure this 12 months which I’m actually enthusiastic about. We’re primarily based in Soho and surrounded by folks from all walks of life and we’re actually trying ahead to celebrating with everybody.
I have been going to conferences with different coordinators within the Octopus Group, sourcing merchandise, and organising dinner and lunch for 100 folks which we’re internet hosting proper right here within the workplace. On Pleasure day, we’ll come collectively on the workplace to gather merchandise for handing out throughout the parade. We’re additionally pondering of doing face portray. Then after the parade we’ll come again to the workplace to rejoice.
What’s the most effective factor about your job?
The folks I work with. Right here, all people desires to assist. That features the managers too – they could be tremendous busy however they’ve all the time obtained time to take a seat down and assist or clarify issues. It makes life a lot simpler and makes you wish to come to work.
What’s essentially the most difficult factor about your job?
Undoubtedly all of the unhealthy knowledge. Usually, clients aren’t conscious that their earlier provider hasn’t up to date the nationwide meter database and the issue solely surfaces after they come to us. We remedy the problem so these clients don’t ever should face that downside once more.
Any message for these pondering of switching?
We all the time function with the shoppers’ pursuits at coronary heart, so by becoming a member of us you’d be like a part of the household.
Any message for current clients?
Welcome to the household! And if there are any issues, even the littlest factor, please tell us. Whether or not it is one thing large or just a bit tweak, we’ll be comfortable to repair it.
