1. What does a typical working day look like?
On a typical day, I will have touch points with several clients about existing projects, discussing progress and requirements for the next stage to move forward. Since the pandemic it's rare for more than 1-2 days to go by without having a Teams call with a client, this could be for a milestone project call, or a quick 15-minute check-in. Project work is varied and a single day is rarely focused on one project due to the number of projects happening in parallel. My role is a blend of completing analysis, configuring Innecto Digital, reporting outcomes to a client, recommending the best approach for a client, and keeping an eye on new business opportunities (that could be upselling to existing or completely new clients).
2. What initially drew you to a career within Reward, and why did you choose this field?
I hadn't heard about the Reward field until I joined it. When I spoke to Deborah Frost, who was the CEO of Innecto at the time, about my degree and career aspirations, she offered me a job interview. The field of work sounded fascinating to me, with its analytical approach to solving problems that affect entire organisations, and its pivotal role in business strategy, which directly impacts employees' day-to-day lives. I was intrigued from the beginning and never looked back!
3. What excites you about potential advancements or changes in Reward?
Reward is a powerful tool when correctly utilised. Organisations that get it right can see huge benefits concerning employee satisfaction and productivity. Reward historically has been very standard across an organisation without much variation. It is moving in the direction of increased personalisation, giving the employee the power to customise their total reward package, so that it is meaningful to them. It enables different stages of life to be reflected in the employee proposition, which grants value to the individual and benefits the business with improved employee satisfaction.
4. What sort of company is Innecto to work for?
Innecto is a very supportive company to work for. Everyone has always been willing to answer my questions and take time to assist during my development. With such a fast-paced environment you need an adaptable team around to accommodate you. Innecto has always been keen for me to succeed and understood the relationship between investing in people and people investing in the company which is a large reason I’ll have been at Innecto for 6 years by the end of 2024.
5. Which is your favourite/most used employee benefit?
The ability to buy (and sell) holidays is my favourite benefit. Time is the most important thing we have and being able to purchase additional leave via salary sacrifice is important to me. I’m sure my priorities will change throughout my career, which links back to my previous point about the power of personalising your package.
6. What's your favourite moment at Innecto so far?
Upon joining Innecto as a Graduate Trainee Analyst in January 2019, I was presented with a clear career pathway. The analyst career path led to the position of Reward Consultant, and I set my sights on achieving that goal. I am proud to say that I was promoted to the position of Reward Consultant in January of 2023. This promotion provided me with a great sense of accomplishment, as well as a desire for my next challenge. My colleagues at Innecto have been incredibly supportive since I first joined, and their unwavering support played a significant role in helping me reach this memorable moment.
7. What advice do you have for aspiring Reward professionals?
If you're fond of analysing data and presenting it in a narrative form, then Reward is the right place for you. Our work has a real impact on people's professional lives and can be very fulfilling when you can provide a eureka moment to a client. It could be the reason for low employee retention in a certain department or the insight into a small change a company can make to their benefits offering to show their employees that they are being heard. The breadth and depth of the work are fascinating, and no two projects are the same, let alone no two days.
8. Which series/book are you hooked on?
My family often comes to me for Netflix recommendations, which might give some insight into how many series I consume. You'll most commonly find me watching a documentary of some kind, a recent favourite being "Whistleblowers", which followed the 2023 Rugby World Cup officials and showed what it's like to be an international referee.
