Caroline's story
Caroline spent six years at HSBC, from September 2000 until August 2006. Here's what she remembers about her time with us.
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I began life at HSBC as a Communications Manager in the Business Marketing team, overseeing various marketing communications work involving direct mail and business support news. I was in that role for about a year and half, before moving on to Personal Customer Marketing as Marketing Manager, where I spent the majority of my time at HSBC. Here I worked on the student product development, marketing campaigns and the Empty Nester Proposition.
One of the best things about being at HSBC was all the great, creative people I got to work with. I especially remember Joe Garner and Ann Kleinsteuber; both very creative and inspirational people. It was while working with Joe and Ann that I became an ambassador for the 'Insight to Grow' programme, where I had the freedom to be creative and was encouraged to innovate, as I developed a range of new customer propositions.
The other great thing was the training. It was only when I left HSBC that I realised how fantastic it had been. In particular, I remember the foundation management training and the women's development programme, which taught me a variety of invaluable skills including coaching skills and how to be assertive.
All in all, I felt I was able to make a difference at HSBC. I managed to bring about changes and was also responsible for some real innovations.
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Innovation has continued to be an important theme in Caroline's career. Since leaving HSBC, she has been working at Metroresearch, first as an Associate Director and most recently as Innovation Director. Her job is to lead innovation projects and develop new research techniques. Her clients range from Barclays, Orange and O2 to the Daily Mail and National Bingo.
She's made extremely good progress in her time there so far, and is now a member of the organisation's management board.