In our Staff Spotlight series, we get up-close and personal with the members of the Listen + Learn Research team to find out who they are and what their job roles involve.
Where are you from and where are you based?
I’m originally from Sweden but I’ve now spent over a decade in the UK. I did my A-levels and university studies here, so I feel very much at home. My plan is to get British citizenship – if I can just manage to sit through that notorious culture test filled with national symbols and English footballers. That said, I go back to Sweden very often – to meet friends, family and to just enjoy the peace and quiet that you don’t get much of in a big city like London!
What does a typical day look like for you?
As the company’s first Marketing Executive, I am responsible for building the marketing infrastructure for the Listen + Learn Research. The thing I like the most about that job is that no day is alike. Marketing is a vast discipline, with so many roles, responsibilities and niches. Most marketing executives focus on one area – like social media marketing, analytics or SEM marketing. I am lucky enough to be able to dip my feet into all of them in order to build out all areas of the marketing machinery! It makes my working day tremendously varied and I learn a lot.
What’s the most challenging thing about being a Marketing Executive?
Because I’m the first person employed in a full-time marketing role, my job involves a lot of trial and error – with all the stumbling that can come from that. It’s the surest and fastest way to learn, but it can get frustrating. I have found that you can manage those feelings by being very organised – at least that way you can be sure that you’re systematically trying to find solutions to problems that come up. And above all, I make it a point to ask for help or more time when I’m stuck. Absolutely no shame in it – it comes with the territory. I’m hugely grateful that I’m in a team with the same attitude. I have only found people at Listen + Learn helpful, patient and empathetic whenever any one of us hits a snag.
What motivates you to wake up and go to work?
The feeling that I am being part of building something great from the ground up. The autonomy that comes from heading and building all things marketing-related is hugely empowering and gives you an immense sense of achievement
Describe Listen and Learn Research in 3 words?
Informal, flexible, kind.
What advice do you have for prospective Listen and Learn Research candidates?
Read widely. Not only is the work we do very dependent on being able to jump into any industry or topic and quickly become something of an expert, but you’ll also be able to tell that curiosity is something that unites the entire Listen + Learn Research team. Our group chats ping often, with staff discussing everything from current affairs and memes to coding and TV shows on a day-to-day basis. Being able to jump in and take part is important.
What is your secret to making progress each day?
A to-do list is anyone’s best friend. That and coffee – lots of it.
Can you share a funny expression/proverb in your language?
My favourite has always been ‘to slide in on a shrimp sandwich’ (‘att glida in på en räkmacka’). It’s the Swedish equivalent of being born with a silver spoon in your mouth. In Sweden silver isn’t half as valuable as shellfish, evidently.
What do you enjoy doing outside of your job?
I love spending time with friends and if anything, lockdown has made me even more sociable. I go to all events on offer – and then some. I also travel a lot (one of the perks with Listen + Learn Research’s flexible remote work). It helps with my language learning: I’m always studying another language on the side and I try to practice it with locals whenever I get the opportunity. I am, finally, hugely interested in history, literature and politics – especially international relations.
What did you want to be when growing up?
The President of the United States. Imagine how disappointed I was the day my dad told me it was impossible… He tried to reassure me though, showing me the movie Terminator featuring a certain Austrian ex-Governor of California.
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