Meet Mariam - Area Activation Manager
“The most satisfying part for me is enabling people to grow at their own pace.”
As an Area Activation Manager, Mariam believes keeping her team interested is the most important aspect of her role and considers Field Force as one of the most inclusive environments she’s ever worked in.
What does a typical day look like for you?
There’s not really a typical day for me – in fact, I think I enjoy my role so much because every day is different. I could go from days out in the field with my team, to meetings, training events, or strategy and leadership meetings with the other Area Activation Managers. I have a close-knit relationship with everyone in the company, from Commercial Planning to Marketing teams, and it's about integrating with all of these areas so you can do a great job.
What’s the most important aspect of your role?
It’s all about strong relationships – with my team, my manager, my peers, and with retailers. Building the relationship with my team is about supporting and developing them. We have weekly catch-ups, and I spend time in the field with each of them, to support them with a personal objective. Then we have regular quarterly checkpoints that look at targets and KPIs, but also personal development goals. This all helps to build their personal development plans. That’s the most satisfying part for me – enabling people to grow at their own pace.
What’s the biggest challenge in promoting a smoke-free future?
It can be challenging helping retailers to understand where Philip Morris Limited (PML) fits now we have a smoke-free future. But when we explain our vision to them and how we’d like to work with them independently and get the key messages across to consumers, they really value that. It takes everyone at PML, from Field Force to teams like Marketing and Commercial Planning, coming together to decide how we relay that message back out to the consumer. It's about engagement and allowing people to understand our vision.
What’s the culture like at PML?
The culture here is very inclusive and open to people from different backgrounds and cultures. You’re forever meeting new people, and I absolutely love that part of it. We have employee groups that organize events related to the different cultures in the company. I think it's so nice for everybody to be able to be their true selves here.
As I mentioned, in my team we focus a lot on personal and professional development. But, at the same time, we never forget to enjoy ourselves and to come together as a team. I think that level of support and teamwork is what makes it possible to go out and embrace the job every day.
Meet Mohammad – Area Activation Manager
“If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together.”
As an Area Activation Manager, Mohammad believes his team’s success needs to be put before his own.
What does a typical day involve in your role?
The nature of our work means it’s quite unpredictable. But an average day would start with dropping my kids to school in the morning, then looking at where my team, our region and the business are in terms of performance against the current monthly targets. Then I'll spend a good five or six hours out in the field with one of my team members.
In an environment that moves quickly, how do you inspire and support your team?
It’s my job to bring the best out of my team, so I'm coaching them, guiding them, trying to upskill them, and focusing on their development. I also focus on their wellbeing, because if they’re enjoying what they're doing, they perform better. It's also important that everybody understands it’s a team effort. I live by the quote: “If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together.”
What part of your role brings you the most satisfaction?
That's an easy one – it’s the success of others. As an Area Activation Manager, I always try to put my team’s success before my own. They’re doing the hard work out in the field, so to see their success and to celebrate with them is definitely a good feeling.
How does Field Force promote a work/life balance?
You’re allowed to be flexible in how you do your job. There's no nine-to-five pressure because everybody understands that you know the best approach for your territory. For me, personally, the company’s allowed me to spend more time with my family and be part of my kids' life growing up. As a parent, you can’t appreciate that enough.
How important is diversity and inclusion in Philip Morris Limited’s Field Force?
Philip Morris Limited is very proud of being a diverse business and we have people from all over the world working here. Our team includes people from different ethnic backgrounds, and we have a good balance of men and women. You can be from anywhere. We just want to see your ability, your performance, and if you fit the team culture.