FMI is fortunate in the sense that we have managed to retain a number of talented, loyal employees who do great work for our clients. Yet we are not ones to rest on our laurels and therefore we are always on the lookout for talented individuals to join our team. In 2019 our FMI recruitment team were lucky enough to meet Alanna Pigott at a jobs fair and to discuss with her a potential career opportunity at FMI. 2 years later Alanna has just been promoted to Senior Account Executive, so we decided to catch up with her to hear her story.

How did you come to start at FMI and what was your first role?
I went to a jobs fair and was introduced to FMI and the team. At first, I was taken aback by their open friendly approach. After my second interview, I was shown around the business and introduced to some people who worked there. I graduated with a degree in Business and Management from TUD; my degree was broad-based so I was open to exploring different options. I felt that FMI was the right fit for me, as it was big enough to be interesting and not too big to get lost in. The appealing part was the diversity of what FMI, as a company, did, and the opportunity to work with different clients on different projects that it presented.

I started as an Account Executive on the Dunnes account, focused on delivering high quality instore demonstrations. I joined a really a good team at FMI and that helped me learn the processes. It was fun, past-paced and there was a huge emphasis on the quality of the work we delivered. I thoroughly enjoyed it as it challenged me in unexpected ways, and I learnt loads in a short time.
When Covid hit, all instore demonstrations came to a complete standstill, there was a huge amount of uncertainty, but fortunately other parts of the business were busy, and I got to work on a number of different projects and campaigns. It was a great opportunity to learn different parts of the business and meet different people in FMI..

What do you think are the essential skills of an effective Account Executive?

Communications:
Knowing how and when to communicate to different stakeholders though different channels is probably one of the most important aspects of the role. Knowing that a What App message may be best for the field teams, while an e-mail would be suitable for a supplier, and a phone call is often the right move for clients. Effective and timely communication is essential in building strong, reliable, and trustworthy relationships.

Perseverance:
Working in a fast, dynamic environment, things can change quickly and you need to be persistent to achieve the task at hand. I found that you need to persevere through through the challenges, the highs and the lows, the fun and the mundane.

Teamwork:
I have been fortunate to work in really great teams at FMI and you very quickly realise that you can’t do it alone. You have to rely on others for their guidance, advice and help. I enjoy the team I work in and I feel comfortable asking questions. The other great thing about teamwork is that you also know that there will always be an opportunity when you can return the favour for your teammates.

Why do you enjoy working at FMI?
Being promoted is very motivating as it means that my hard work has been recognised. I am excited about learning and growing more and progressing in the role. It’s about being focused and willing to do my absolute best and about understanding what the client needs and then working to deliver that. I still have a lot to learn but I am excited about the journey.