Here at CDS, we’re incredibly proud of our 170-strong team – after all, they’re the ones who make all the comms magic happen.
That’s why, each month, we’re giving our blog readers the chance to get to know each member of the CDS family, in our employee Q&A series.
Next up in the hot seat, it’s Lauren Lyndon, office manager. With just 10 minutes on the clock, let’s go…
1. Sum up your role at CDS in one sentence:
I manage our Leeds office and provide support to our senior leadership team.
2. What’s your favourite thing about your job?
I love the diversity of my role. Being the office manager usually means I have different ‘hats’ to wear on a daily basis. From overseeing contractors and building maintenance, to interacting and helping CDS’s people and of course taking care of our visitors. Each day is different and brings with it new opportunities.
3. How did you become an office manager?
My first ‘real’ job was working at an estate agent in London, which helped me to gain office-based experience. I then went on to work on private yachts across the Mediterranean and in the Caribbean. Here, I was able to gain experience managing a diverse workload and working with people to meet their needs and requirements.
Upon returning to the UK, I fell into the role of personal assistant, which is something I thoroughly enjoyed. A large part of that position was spent assisting in the development and management of a business park. From here, I wanted to move into a larger organisation that would challenge me whilst still allowing me to work with a variety of people and provide assistance in some way, which is where I found CDS.
My role at CDS, brings all my previous roles together, and is a natural progression from where I first started out.
4. What drew you towards choosing CDS as an employer?
A personal recommendation from the recruitment agent who contacted me — and was a neighbour of mine. He was familiar with CDS, and recommended the company to me, after finding out what CDS was about, the role and the company sold itself to me.
5. Describe the CDS ethos in just three words:
Friendly, inclusive, and honest.
6. Is there anything that you are particularly proud of achieving since joining CDS?
I am most proud of the relationships I have developed with everyone.
I joined CDS during a period of extended lockdown. This meant it was more challenging trying to build a rapport and fit into a new team when everyone was working remotely.
7. Is there a brand that you particularly admire?
Apple — they’re clean, simple, modern, and engaging.
8. Complete this sentence: For businesses, employing an effective communications strategy means…
Being consistent, engaging, and inclusive.
9. For a bit of fun, if CDS were a variety of biscuit, which would it be and why?
This is a tough one, but I think we’d have to create our own!
10. Finally, if you could give one piece of advice to your 10-year-old self, what would it be?
To stick with the winners, it’s amazing what can be achieved when you surround yourself with the right people.