Jordan McGrath

Name

Jordan McGrath

Position

Account Manager

First up, tell us a little about you. Do you have any hobbies?

I play football at the weekend with my friends which is always a laugh! Saturday games are an easy win, but Sunday is more of a challenge – that may be something to do with the celebrations the night before! Travelling is a big passion of mine as well. I love taking spontaneous trips away and exploring new countries. Next on the bucket list is sailing round Croatia!

Sounds exciting! So how did you start your journey with Genuine Solutions?

I actually started in the warehouse at GSUK about six months ago, only intending to be there on a temporary basis. Then I moved over to Quality Control. When I was there, Genuine Solutions found out I had previous sales experience with a third-party dealer for EE and gave me the opportunity to try out being an account manager. Here I am a few months later and loving it!

And what does your job entail? What does a typical day involve?

There is no such thing as a typical day in my job! That is why I enjoy it so much. I have to admit, I get in an hour early every morning to plan out my day and set targets. A big part of my day is actively communicating and selling to my client base and seeking new opportunities.

It sounds like you really enjoy it! What is your favourite part of the job?

Apart from the fact that every day is a different challenge, I would have to say it is the consistent opportunity to grow on both a personal and commercial level. I love building relationships with my team and with my clients and I get to have fun at the same time. I am hungry to seek new challenges so this is the best environment I can be in.

I have to ask – what is the worst thing about your job?

It would have to be the knock-backs you get when trying to reach out to new businesses. It is part and parcel of the job so it is inevitable, and it comes down to how you deal with those knock-backs and move on. The monthly reports and admin side of the job is certainly not my favourite part either. I enjoy selling and speaking to clients, not filling out excel spreadsheets! But again, that is something you have to just get on with.

Yes exactly. What other Genuine Solutions department would you like to work in and why?

Purchasing could be interesting to try out and see the business from the other side but selling is my strong point. I would like to try out the business development side of things to look at the bigger picture and see how Genuine Solutions can grow in the future

What has been a standout moment at Genuine Solutions?

It is tough to pinpoint one moment but it is probably the overall recognition I get for my hard work. I have really found my strengths working in this role, so it is nice to get noticed for it. Also, I manage to smash my targets every month which is really rewarding.

Something a little different to finish off, a few more fun questions. If you were stranded on a desert island and you could take three things, what would they be and why?

Purifying tablets for clean water, a knife to hunt and cook and a football for leisure!

What’s your favourite food and why?

Roast Dinner – as I associate this with the gathering of family and memories being made with good, healthy and delicious food.

Who’s your inspiration and why?

My nan , strongest woman in my life raised me after battling acrophobia with two false knees and still works 6 days a week, shows determination and never gives up.

If you could be any animal, which would you be and why?

I think I’d be a duck. They’re always calm on the surface, but hustling like crazy to get things done under the surface!

Which four people, past or present, would you like to have dinner with the most and why?

Firstly I would say Frank Lampard, with Chelsea FC he was part of a massively successful team. I’d like to discuss with him the difference between team achievement, individual achievement and the difference between the team he had around him whilst playing, in comparison to the team he works with as a manager. Then it would be Sir Alex Ferguson, he was very successful but also had problems with his team, I’d like to know how he dealt with both circumstances and of course I’d get some advice on becoming a successful leader. Then not a specific individual, but an army General, teamwork in the military is crucial and can involve life-and-death situations and decisions. I’d be interested in finding out their methods of team building and ways to bring the best out of individuals. Finally I would have Mahatma Gandhi. I’d be interested in how his approach is different to the army General’s, and whether they have anything in common. I could find out more about their career path and their experience of leadership and building teams.