Hi Claire, Thanks for taking some time to let everyone know a little bit more about you and your role within Ihre Consulting.
1. You were with Ihre Consulting from the start. As the team has expanded, it has become and all male team plus you. How do you find it?
It’s great! I love all aspects of my role and how over the last 2 ½ years it has changed and developed along with the business. I find working with men both rewarding and challenging. LOL only kidding. I actually enjoy the lack of drama which can come with an all female team (Sorry girls but we know it’s true!). With men they say it as it is then move on and I prefer it that way. My team call me “database queen” and “mum” (from me bossing them around!) and I love it. I think they secretly miss me bossing them around when I’m not there.
2. How and when did you join the gaming industry and what is it that has kept you in it for all this time?
I joined back in 2006, right before UIGEA so have seen the good, the bad and the ugly. I definitely love the industry and what I do. If I didn’t work in the industry I’m not sure what I would do. Often my friends tell me they couldn’t do what I do – the travelling, the hours, dealing with the ever changing landscape of the industry but with such a great community of friends, peers and colleagues I couldn’t imagine anything else I would rather be doing.
3. Has your role changed at Ihre Consulting? Can you tell us all more about what you do day to day?
When I began back in 2010 it was just Edward and I with a small handful of operators on board and now we are a team of 6, working with almost 80 operators and hundreds of affiliates on a monthly basis. Originally my role was purely affiliate management – setting up affiliates with deals, and making sure they have everything they need to promote the brand. Now my role has changed so I am focusing on business development, social media, results analysis, website & email marketing, lead generation – you name it and I probably assist in the job or do the job!
4. How do you stay motivated when you are tired / when you have a big to do list? Some people use coffee, chocolate etc
I’m not a tea or coffee person but I do love a hot chocolate for a sugar burst! When that fails I turn to chocolate or haribo! I have a sweet tooth so try not to keep too much in the house, but sometimes when I am flagging a little, I have to pop out for a chocolate bar or two! I also change the style of music I listen to. That helps change your mood and with something with a bit of a “rock” edge to it, I find I work faster.
5. You are now a mum of 2. How do you find the right balance of being a working mum?
I have a 26 month old and a 9 month old, plus work 5 days a week so its very full on. We have a very tight routine during the week, but working from home means I can pick the kids up from nursery at 530 and spend time with them before their bedtime, rather than spending an hour commuting. We also make the most of the weekends and plan lots of fun things to do to make up for the hectic week life.
6. If you could recommend Ihre Consulting in one sentence, what would you say?
We are a very personal agency, taking care of the affiliates needs and requests as best we can to help grow their business and improve their commissions.
You can contact Claire on claire.wellard@ihreconsulting.com.