Twelve years ago, Christina McDonald embarked on a promising journey with Bidvest Noonan, beginning her career as a Rostering Admin. By September of last year, her commitment and dedication had earned her the position of Operations Manager. In this role, Christina has made a significant impact, particularly in building stronger customer relationships.
Christina’s inspiring rise reflects her determination and tenacity. Committed to continuous growth, she has avoided becoming too comfortable in any role. As soon as she began feeling settled in a position, she viewed it as a cue to strive for more, propelled by her strong ambition.
Recently, we had a chance to briefly chat with Christina about her path to success, her approach to strengthening customer relationships, and the impact of these efforts on her recent performance feedback.
Your ascent within the business is inspiring. What have been the factors in your success?
“Career progression, in my opinion, calls for several essential elements. There are five key principles that have guided me:
- Work diligently
- Build experience
- Show respect and kindness to colleagues
- Encourage open communication by asking questions
- Believe in yourself
Out of these, believing in yourself is probably the most important. There were times when my aspirations seemed too high, but the encouragement and backing I received from my superiors and peers strengthened my resolve. They convinced me to challenge my limits and chase my goals relentlessly. The belief that I had the necessary skills and knowledge to take the next step allowed me to maintain focus and persistence, even when immediate success seemed far away.”
In your opinion, what is the most important ingredient for a successful client relationship?
“People form the very core of our service delivery, and these individuals represent our company when interacting with our customers, especially those on-site. Treating your team with respect, providing support, and helping them excel in their roles are key to solid customer relationships. Having ascended through the ranks myself, I can relate to my team’s experiences and challenges. This connection creates mutual respect and understanding.”
You recently received positive feedback from customers for significant improvements made to some of your sites. How was this accomplished?
“Multiple factors contributed to this success, but I believe the main catalyst was my commitment to improving relationships with those customers. Regular meetings and on-site visits proved invaluable in identifying necessary improvements to enhance our service delivery. Should problems arise, my past experiences help me to present effective solutions. A thorough understanding of our processes has also empowered me to address challenges more effectively.”