TGT Meets...Nataley Fryer, Commercial Manager at SMARTER MEDIA, IWD Special

Meet our latest TGT Meets... Nataley Fryer, the commercial manager at Smarter Media. Take a look below to see what Total talked about with Nataley Fryer for this International Women's Day special!

Name: Nataley Fryer

Location: Swindon

Occupation: Commercial Manager at SMARTER MEDIA

1. Which woman would you compare yourself to?

Not really something I think about as I prefer to not compare myself to others....I’m just me.

2. What would you say is your most valuable skill and why?

My inquisitive nature….I’m always asking questions, questions and more questions…I like to know everything about everything, partly out of curiosity and partly to get to really get to know people better and build a strong rapport, relationships are super important to me. I want to understand their driving force, what inspires them. I like to do business with people I understand as then I feel I am better equipped to help them solve their problem.

3. Why do you think it's important to have an International Women's Day?

To showcase to the next generation of how far women have come to have equality within the workplace, to give them the chance to remember and be inspired.

4. How do you maintain a work/life balance?

By running a very efficient schedule!

I try to balance out my work commitments with daily family life and allocate a little time for myself somewhere within the mix!

I make sure I do at least a couple of school pick up’s each week so that Adina gets some time at home for playdates and clubs, something I was unable to do with my son when he was small as I worked full time.

5. Do you ever experience any discrimination in the workplace because of your gender?

Certainly not, Smarter Media is a great place to work where everyone has a voice regardless of gender!

6. Based on your own experiences, what advice would you give to fellow females looking to get into your profession?

• Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone - keep learning and developing yourself. Information is power.
• Assess yourself - spend time jotting down your strengths and weaknesses.…how can you craft your strengths to stand out further in your profession whilst improving some of the weaknesses that may be preventing you from career development - self-awareness is key to success.
• Understand your audience – this is paramount whichever industry you work in. A crucial point for us when we are working with businesses to help them stand out online. Listen and ask lots of questions.

7. If you could have dinner with 5 inspirational women dead or alive, who would they be and why?

Margaret Thatcher – To hear about her trials and tribulations of being the first female to become prime minster, how she coped through the highs and the lows and fulfilled that position of power.

Karren Brady – To gain understanding of how she has pushed her limits to excel in her career, in a typical male dominated industry. I’d also like to hear what Sir Alan Sugar is really like.

JK Rowling – I’d like to hear about the train journey that inspired the Harry Potter series and have a better insight into her creative brain.

Anne Frank – I’m fascinated with her story, the strength and courage she had to cope with the journey she faced.

Mother Theresa – To hear about her stories of kindness and all that she achieved to inspire me further.

8. As a successful female, where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?

On the board and running our agency, I would hope by then we would have acquired multiple agencies where I, will be able to strategically assist with the coaching and development of the next generation of talent.

No doubt technology will be an even more exciting space to be within in 10 year’s time!

Find out more about SMARTER MEDIA here!