Clearview National July 2017 - Issue 188 | Page 10

PROUD SPONSOR OF INDUSTRY NEWS WOMENININDUSTRY Don’t have preconceptions In an interview for Clearview, Michelle Wright explains that her current role as Marketing Manager for The Glazerite UK Group Ltd. calls for a two- pronged approach. She said, “One side involves strategically marketing the Glazerite Group, helping us to maintain our presence within the market, and also reach new customers to help expand our network of installers. The other is to provide these installers with the various tools and marketing support that they need to effectively communicate with their own customer bases.” » » SHE CONTINUED, “I LOVE THE variety in my role as it gives me the best of both worlds, it’s certainly never dull. As with any job, it has its own unique set of challenges and at times it seems like there are not enough hours in the day! When there is so much to be done I’m often up against it to deliver but we always get there one way or another.” After leaving school, Michelle started off as a Marketing Assistant on an apprenticeship. She says, “The role was incredibly varied, covering everything from databases and direct marketing, to PR and Events, to competitor and marketing analysis.” Since then, she has been lucky enough to work for companies who have invested in and supported her through completing her CIM and graphic design qualifications. This allowed Michelle to build up a broad skillset and ultimately specialise in the area she enjoyed most - marketing communications. 10 » JUL 2017 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M From a young age, Michelle always wanted to be a member of an airline cabin crew, believing this would be a great way to see a bit of the world. By the time she entered her teens, she decided the role might be less glamorous than she had first thought, and her interest died. However, Michelle says, “I now have a number of friends who have had a fantastic career with the high-end airlines, which does make me wonder!” With regards to the challenges and opportunities she has faced as a women in the industry, Michelle said, “Personally, I haven’t faced any gender based challenges as a woman in this industry and have found it to be very warm and welcoming. But then again I have come from spending over a decade in the steel industry which couldn’t get any more male dominated! “There are some great opportunities available across all areas of the industry for any strong women who are looking to make a difference. Significant changes are happening at the moment as a result of Brexit and this is creating all sorts of new prospects for women, and men, to step up and take on some of the new challenges that we are faced with.” Michelle concluded with some advice for anyone looking to pursue a similar career, “If it’s a career in marketing, my advice would be not to specialise too early, make sure you cover a broad variety of areas and find out which you’d most like to concentrate on. In terms of our industry, don’t have preconceptions. Unfortunately, it’s had a poor image over the years but things are changing rapidly now, making it an exciting and interesting time to get involved.”