In the hot seat with… Mat Stanley

Blog
18.10.19
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It’s been a busy year at S&S. We’ve seen extensive growth, which means we’ve also been extending our team and capability.

With this in mind, we’re pleased to announce that Mat Stanley has joined the S&S team.

As Head of Client Engagement & Services, Mat is the vital connection that ensures world-class client engagement to deliver and manage the S&S Services proposition.

Building upon one of S&S’ foundations of delivering continuous value, Mat will be providing the ongoing team orchestration with a laser focus on client value and outcomes.

We sat down with Mat to find out a bit more about him and his role here at S&S…

Why did you join S&S?

I know Kevin, (S&S’ COO) from previously working together. We were catching up over a beer and he was telling me about his role at S&S. He started to share the S&S story and journey; what the team were looking to do and what the plan was over the next 12-18 months in building and accelerating the growth. This immediately captured my interest.

My entire career has focussed on the building and delivering of services that support business transformation. So, after meeting Pat, when the opportunity arose to bring my skills to the client engagement and outcome assurance for S&S, I jumped at the chance.

What have your first few weeks been like?

It’s been great! I’ve dived straight into several of our engagements and I can immediately see opportunities that demonstrate real added value to our clients. That’s what is exciting for me.

Also, everyone at S&S HQ and client-side has been so welcoming, it already feels like I’ve been here for months.

What will you bring to the S&S team?

I plan to bring a ‘flexible structure’ to our client engagement and orchestration, which may sound a little bit counterintuitive. Bear with me here…

The idea is to structure our approach to the engagement, making sure we don’t miss what real value looks like to the client. However, doing it in a way that is flexible enough to adjust to our clients, associates, as well as our existing team’s needs. We have to get the core principles right every time, but also understand that one size doesn’t fit all. So, I suppose I will be bringing an agile approach that is rooted in principle, but flexible in application.

Do you have any grand plans?

I’m looking to create and execute a world-class approach to service orchestration with a laser focus on deliverables and client value. This touches the entire customer relationship from the initial point of contact through to knowledge transfer and exit.

Tell us about your background

I am a consulting and Professional Services junkie through and through. I have worked in the office technology space for over 20 years building and running Consulting and Professional Services divisions here in the UK, but also on a global basis.

I love this area because it’s the perfect combination of sales and technical expertise that when delivered well, makes an incredible difference to both winning business, as well as delighting customers with the outcome.

If you could describe yourself in one word what would it be and why?

Logical, without being dull. I’m a structured person and like everything to be well-planned out. It also allows me to self workshop. In my mind, I am always thinking about how we can get to the heart of value.

Tell us a bit about you outside of work

I’m a Devonian that now lives in Essex with my wife, Jen and two young boys, Ollie and Jacob. I love all sports and activities but particularly rugby, where I now coach my eldest son’s under nine team, since retiring from playing a few years ago.

My most recent hobby is standup paddleboarding which I started two years ago. Since then, I have roped my whole family into this (thankfully they love it too) and have now started racing.

What is your best business hack?

Tools that help to get the job done. My logical mind loves business tools that allow me to get everything out of my brain and develop my thoughts into a clear structure. It doesn’t have to be an expensive data analytics programme, it can be something as simple as an Excel or Pivot table.

Personally, I have used a mapping tool, MindGenius, for many years now. I find that it helps me as a shortcut to developing thoughts into plans, then plans into outcomes. It also allows me to easily articulate my structured thoughts to others.

MindGenius is what works best for me, but it may be that you find an alternative tool. I suppose it’s just about finding something that does more than just captures the present, it supports thinking and creativity.

 

 

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Written by
Sullivan & Stanley