This month's “Blue Crew” blog is dedicated to our Customer Experience Teams in honor of Customer Service Appreciation Week. We spoke with some of our incredible experience representatives who go above and beyond for our customers everyday.
We’re honored to feature Michelle Ellis, Erin Pickle, Rita "Karen" Lindgren and Sachin Kumar. They shared some incredible insight into their unique experiences and the world of support.
Image: Michelle Ellis and her adventurous family!
Employee Name and Role
Michelle Ellis - Onboarding Program Manager
How long have you been with BlueJeans/Verizon?
I moved over to the BlueJeans side a year and a half ago. Overall with Verizon for 17 ½ years.
How have your unique experiences and insights made you successful in your career?
I started in inbound customer service and have held a variety of roles in the business (many of them in or supporting sales). Over the years I've learned that customer relationships are 80% listening and 20% problem solving. I’ve found success in my roles through years by paying attention to the small details that are important to my customers, and when the “BlueJeans/Verizon” person asks about that important thing in their life it humanizes us and relationships are built.
What do you enjoy about working at BlueJeans/Verizon?
The people! Since moving over to BlueJeans I’ve met and started working with some really amazing people. They are helpful, informative, patient, and just all around really delightful.
What’s the most unique part about working here?
I feel like I have a voice to share my ideas for changes, improvements, updates, etc on our products and services.
What's the best part of your current job?
Thinking outside of the box and exploring ways to support clients that are new to BlueJeans. There are times when we’re onboarding when it’s necessary to follow a checklist; however, there are also instances where I throw the checklist out because everything about this experience is unique and different. There are times when it’s time to get creative and put my project management skills in action. Draft timelines and have conversations to understand what their expected outcomes are. I enjoy watching it all come together; and in the end when they host a successful Event, the Gateway configurations complete, or Meetings are being held by the dozens, all of those are signs of a successful onboarding.
Image: Erin Pickle, baby pickle and family.
Employee Name and Role:
Erin Pickle - Technical Account Manager
How long have you been with BlueJeans/Verizon?
6 Years
How have your unique experiences and insights made you successful in your career?
I started with BlueJeans in Tier 1 Support, and growing within to become a TAM has given me a greater understanding of our product, our customers, and how to collaborate across different teams.
What do you enjoy about working at BlueJeans/Verizon?
I enjoy the BlueJeans culture, we’re like a big family always supporting and encouraging each other personally and professionally.
What's the best part of your current job?
Being a TAM gives me the opportunity to work with a smaller number of customers. I enjoy learning the specifics of their environment and building relationships with their team.
Image: Karen Lindgren in Easter Island and with her lovely family!
Employee Name and Role:
Rita "Karen" Lindgren - Customer Success Manager
How long have you been with BlueJeans/Verizon?
Over 2 years
How have your unique experiences and insights made you successful in your career?
Being a Mexican Canadian, living in different countries and being blessed with amazing diverse job opportunities, has allowed me to learn about different cultures and how to do business with a global mindset. Working with multicultural teams in different time zones and connecting on a personal level, really helps me to understand their needs and how I can be of assistance to my team and my customers. This has truly helped me grow personally and professionally.
What do you enjoy about working at BlueJeans/Verizon?
I enjoy working with wonderful leaders and team members. I love that Verizon and our management really cares about our personal and professional growth. The work life family balance is part of our business culture and it shows on our work performance.
What’s the most unique part about working here?
I have worked for several large corporations but BlueJeans/Verizon is one of the very few companies that truly makes an impact in our communities through volunteer opportunities.
What's the best part of your current job?
Working with my customers to ensure their success and being their advocate and their voice in front of our Product Managers to improve our products and make better solutions for them.
What's something most people don't know about you?
I'm a proud Mom of baby Mateo. Met my wonderful husband John on eHarmony. I'm fluent in Spanish. I love traveling and have visited more than 20 countries for pleasure and business.
Any words of advice or a favorite quote you would like to share with us?
My favorite quotes are “If you can dream it, you can achieve it” and "There is always a silver lining!"
Image: Satchin Kumar and his lovely family!
Employee Name and Role:
Sachin Kumar - Tier 2 Support Team (Customer Service)
How long have you been with BlueJeans/Verizon?
Close to a year with BlueJeans full time but I have been with the BlueJeans support team for the past 8 years as a contractor.
How have your unique experiences and insights made you successful in your career?
Be authentic! Authenticity helps you know yourself better and knowing what you stand for which helps in working on something you are passionate about. Also I try to keep my innovative thinking cap always on to make my life and our customers' lives easier by giving simple solutions to their complex problems. Lastly, alway working as a team; it makes the work more efficient and gives you a way to learn from many different individuals.
What do you enjoy about working at BlueJeans/Verizon?
I am really lucky to be a part of BlueJeans, as it is more like a family. Lots to learn, awesome colleagues and great leadership. I always get recognition for my work from my colleagues and leadership which always get me going. We get plenty of options to learn and pursue our individual growth and development, which I think is the best part.
What’s the most unique part about working here?
There are so many wonderful things about working in BlueJeans. My favorite is probably the transparency that we have in the organization, I can freely share my ideas with top tier leaders which make me feel empowered.
Favorite quote: My Favorite is the one from Nelson Mandela "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall".
What's your social handle so people can follow you on social media?
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sachin-kr/
Interested in joining the BlueJeans by Verizon family? Check out all available positions here.
About the Author
Crystal is the Integrated Marketing and Communications Manager for BlueJeans, focused on employee communications and internal alignment.
