We’re delighted to have you join us once again for another instalment of the captivating “Life at SAPI” series! It’s with great enthusiasm that we continue to unveil the remarkable journeys of our exceptional team members, each contributing their distinct perspectives and talents to propel our company towards resounding success.
In this edition, we’re particularly thrilled to shine the spotlight on Vicki Burns, our esteemed Head of UK Partnerships and Sales. With a wealth of experience in the payments industry, Vicki brings an unwavering passion for nurturing enduring connections with our valued partners. Get ready to gain deeper insights into Vicki’s dynamic workday at SAPI!
What’s your name and what’s your job title?
My name is Vicki Burns and I am the Head of Partnerships and Sales for the UK market at SAPI.
Where in the world do you work?
I work both at our London head office and remotely, whether it’s from my home in Essex or wherever my partners may be!
How long have you worked at SAPI?
I have worked at SAPI for 2 months.
What is a typical day for you in your role?
It’s all very new for me, but I start my days early, around 6 am, by reading LinkedIn and industry news, attending to my emails, and catching up on Slack messages—all accompanied by a large cup of coffee!
When I have to commute to our London office, I typically catch the 7 am train. If I’m working from home, I drop off my kids at school or preschool and then crack on.
My days mainly consist of meetings with various individuals—new partners, teammates and people in the payments industry. I am also researching and developing the sales strategy we should utilise within the UK market at SAPI.
How do you collaborate with other teams or departments within SAPI?
My role is to bring new partners to the business, so I need to work closely with all areas. Partnerships and sales should be collaborative roles within the business. We should bring new opportunities but also support products by sharing customer/partner feedback, helping support the integration and activation of new partnerships and the ongoing success of these partners.
What are some challenges you face in your role, and how do you overcome them?
Just being new! Getting up to speed with everyone and everything. I overcome this by meeting people, reading as much of the brilliant documentation available and researching – competitors and products. Or I ask one of my lovely colleagues to help me.
What do you do outside of work to recharge or decompress?
Cook, I love cooking and I find it helps me chill at the end of the day. I read a lot, of random books of all genres. At the weekends I take my kids on adventures and try to see my friends.
What makes SAPI a great place to work?
SAPI is innovative, the people are driven and hardworking and really passionate about bringing an awesome product to life!
What do you look forward to most in SAPI’s future?
Bringing in my first signed partner and watching that grow from an email conversation to a revenue-generating partner to our business. And seeing the business grow!
What kind of skills are important to have for your role?
Communication, tenacity, ingenuity, adaptability, and passion for what you do.
What advice would you give to someone who is interested in pursuing a career in your field?
Learn the basics and work your way up. Do a telesales role or a lead appointment booking role – those are the hardest jobs to get right in sales but you learn your craft, and you see the highs and lows. Know the industry, the products and the competitors in your sphere.
What is something about your job or role that people may not know or understand?
How long it takes! Building a partnership, especially with a sizeable business can take months to get a meeting, and further months to sign the paperwork, integrate and get customers live. But when it happens, it is awesome!
How do you manage your time and prioritise tasks?
I make a list each morning and pick off the most important/hardest to do first thing while I am fresh, and work through it all day/until it’s done.
In terms of meetings, partner meetings usually take priority, but anything business-critical that needs my attention will always be a P1.
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If you’re interested in joining our talented team and being a part of our company’s mission to make a difference, we invite you to explore our open positions. At SAPI, we value diversity, collaboration, and creativity, and we’re always looking for passionate and driven individuals to help us drive our company forward. Thank you for following our “Life at SAPI” series, and stay tuned for our next instalment featuring another one of our amazing team members.
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