Sage (UK) Limited: Business software and services

Sarah Hartley - Customer Support Manager

I've worked for the Accountants’ Division for over seven years and have enjoyed the various roles and responsibilities, which have helped me with my career at Sage. I started as a Technical Support Advisor, which provided with an insight into the business and our customers. It gave me an understanding why our customers need our service to be the best in order to help them run their own business.

My main responsibility as tax team leader is to ensure that the members of my team are confident and competent in dealing with our customers. I coach them through more difficult calls and queries, making sure that they receive any training they need. I also try to encourage them to develop their careers by involving themselves in internal projects.

I feel Sage invest in people; they have a huge array of benefits and this is why I enjoy working for them.

Hanif Mohmed - Customer Liaison Advisor

I have worked for Sage since November 2004 as a customer liaison advisor. Along with completing inbound calls and logging correspondence (email, letter or fax), I have had the opportunity to work on the after-sales process and before that I was key member of the Retention Team.

Before I worked for Sage, I spent two years working in a similar role for a large mobile phone organisation. Unfortunately, I found myself not challenged enough and my skills were not used to their maximum potential. Sage gave me all the opportunity to use and further develop these skills and I haven't looked back!

My time here has been enjoyable and Sage has provided the relevant stepping-stones to further myself, whether this is internally or externally. The working environment is relaxed and, with a good cluster of colleagues, it makes this place a pleasant place to be.

Margo Scott – Technical Support Advisor

I joined Sage as a part-time Customer Support Advisor in 1996 after having worked in the accounts department of large pharmaceutical factory. I had my first child and no longer wanted to work the very long hours that my previous job demanded.

Working in a technology-focused company means that training is crucial. The management team at Sage spurs us on to learn and continuously develop our skills. We each have our own career plan and receive encouragement and rewards for achieving results. Just recently I expressed an interest in providing coaching for other staff, and have been trained and supported along this path.

Over 10 years on and I still love coming to work. Our working environment is fabulous; the people are great and the work fun. Importantly for me, I work for an employer who respects my decision to balance family life with an interesting and varied career.

Lyndsey Johnson – Sales Account Manager

I started working for Sage in 2004 and over the last couple of years, I have been working within the Branded Stationery team, helping customers with their stationery needs.

A typical day begins at 9am with our team start-up meeting, where we can share information and have a catch-up as to how we're doing. It’s also a chance to hear about any news from around the business. Then it's onto the phones; I spend my day ringing new customers as well as my existing customers to follow up ongoing business.

You have to be very self-motivated in your approach and if you are, the rewards are fantastic. As well as receiving commission, we also have many other great incentives. In 2006, for achieving the final sales target of the year, I was rewarded with a weekend break to New York. And this was not just an individual incentive - it for the whole sales division!

Gary Scott - Sales Team Manager

My career so far with Sage has been absolutely fantastic and I have been given the opportunity to experience all levels of the business. I am currently working as an Account Manager, assisting customers who have Sage software. This involves getting in touch with my customers and making sure that they have the most up-to-date and appropriate software.

During my career at Sage, I have been fortunate enough to work with some great people. As well as working closely with management, I also support new trainees, passing on my knowledge and experience so they can develop their own career in the company.

Sage has a fantastic programme for personal development and I have recently gained a management qualification, which will enable me to keep my career moving forward.

Jason Sullock – Programme Manager

I know it's really sad, but I come to work each day and do my hobby.  It’s very hard to switch off from marketing. I can be watching television or talking to a friend and I'll have an idea and wonder, "How can I work that into a mailer or an advert?"

I've been in marketing for nearly fifteen years, starting out doing direct marketing for a regional newspaper, then events and direct mail with an IT reseller. After this I ran the marketing for the Yorkshire region, followed by UK-wide campaigns, for NTL Business; and then here at Sage where I was responsible for SageCover marketing. Since October 2006, I’ve been involved with small business prospecting across the UK for Sage.

If you can keep up with the pace, you’ll never be bored, you'll have tons of exciting, different jobs to do and a clear career path to follow. You’ll work in a state-of-the-art building that is a pleasure to come to, with first class facilities, and you’ll be working with some of the nicest and friendliest people I know.

Joanne Waddell – Campaign Manager

I have been at Sage since 1998 and started out in direct sales working in both inbound sales, then the customised stationery sales teams. Following my work within our reporting team, which included lots of marketing reporting, applying to join the SBD marketing team seemed the next logical progression for my career.

I am responsible for delivering the marketing communications for our customised stationery, so I've now come full circle. My days are tremendously varied, divided between meetings with colleagues from our sales and commercial teams, and also with external agencies and other suppliers who are involved in our communications.

Development has been a big feature of my time here, and not just in terms of progressing from role to role. I'm also one of the first people to take the IDM certificate in B2B marketing. I'm quite proud of the fact that I managed to complete it while working full-time, looking after a young family and renovating my house from top to bottom.

Tracey MacLeod – Recruitment Team Manager

My career with Sage started in September 1998 after moving back to the North East after a four-year spell living in Southampton. Initially, I joined Sage as an administrator within the Research and Development department, working alongside the Senior Management Team to ensure that all departmental activities were co-ordinated and administered effectively.

My career has changed over the years and I've developed a good understanding of our business through my varied roles within our HR team.

In October 2005, I left to go on maternity leave and my son joined the world in November. I enjoyed nine wonderful and memorable months with him and was then given the opportunity to return to work on a part-time basis as a recruitment consultant.

What does a typical day look like? Well, honestly, no two days are the same, but the ultimate aim is to ensure that we recruit the right people in the right roles through the delivery of a professional, consistent and positive recruitment experience.

Helen Brookbank - Business Analyst

I joined Sage in December 2003. Before joining, I always had a keen interest in accounting and IT but was unsure which area to get into. It's great being part of a close knit team, helping our customers use the software, dealing with accounts legislation issues, converting data and eventually training new team members.

The environment in R&D is very flexible and relaxed, but also hard-working and professional. Sage has really invested in my management training, helping me develop a huge range of skills and also funding my studies to become a Chartered Accountant.

The most rewarding part of my job is now investing my time in coaching and developing more junior team members and watching them grow and succeed like I have at Sage.