2025 is the year that S2F Marketing marks 20 years in business, however, there is another huge milestone that we would like to celebrate: Jo Grainger’s 10th year as part of the S2F team!
Joining us in February 2015, Jo’s responsibilities at S2F have covered a wide array of tasks. Her careful attention to the company’s finances and administrative tasks is complimented by her maternal nature, approachability and generosity. It may be a cliché, but Jo really is the glue that keeps S2F together!
To mark her 10 years at S2F, we wanted to hear more from Jo about her time at the company, how it compares to her previous roles, and what she will take away from the past decade.
It’s been somewhat of a rollercoaster! It’s where I really grew up. Before this, I worked at a global business, and started working at S2F three days per week as a PA to the directors. To still be here 10 years later, and now in the role of Operations Director, is fantastic – it’s flown by!
I started here working three days a week doing various admin and finance tasks as required. I never knew what was coming next, so it was a great lesson in self-management and being flexible.
The role was new, so I had the opportunity to set up processes and procedures to benefit the business.
I was the only woman in the team for four years until Kiren joined and rescued me in 2019!
The business was very different back then compared to what it is now, and as it grew and we added new people, I began including more processes for what I thought needed to be done.
I was used to working on one floor in a multi-storey building, with about 70 of us on the floor! Coming from such a huge environment was a big help though, because I could take what I’d learned from my previous roles and scale it down for S2F, helping to introduce new processes that benefitted the business and our client offering.
New technologies and advancements are arriving all the time, so we need to continue to adapt and roll with it.
After starting as PA, I progressed through the roles of Business Manager, General Manager, and now Operations Director. Essentially, my position has expanded to wear a number of different hats, and I really enjoy the variety that it brings. Warren gives me free reign to implement and make decisions that are best for the team and the business.
What I have learned over my career is that you have to look after the people; people are the most important. And at S2F, it’s such a wonderful team. Everyone is working together to achieve a common goal, and it’s so nice to be part of such a lovely group of people.
I was unfamiliar with company bookkeeping and accountancy when I joined S2F, so taking on that responsibility, learning as I’ve gone along and concentrating my efforts on new systems – and making improvements as required – is something I’m really pleased to have had the opportunity to do.
Also, finding our current office in the Jewellery Quarter and persuading Warren to have a look at it!
Something I like to be a part of is any time I’m involved in making things better for people, making things as easy as possible for the team. It’s rewarding to make working life as easy as possible for everyone here.
I like having the autonomy to manage days as to however I see fit. You have to be able to manage your workload and prioritise certain tasks on certain days – some days are undoubtedly more chaotic than others!
One thing I have learned is to expect the unexpected, and be ready to pivot and respond to what’s out there. In the marketing industry, I think we have to be very reactive to that.
When we look at our clients and their requirements, we need to consider how their needs might change depending on economic conditions, or what’s going on with the UK and the wider world, and also with the emergence of AI. Have a plan for what’s ahead, and most importantly, hope for the best!
Throw yourself in and give your all. Be interested, keen to learn, and try to develop your skills. You must also be willing to accept change – naturally as humans I think we try to resist change, but it will come to you and you will need to embrace it.
Be nice! Life can be hard enough as it is, so make it as easy and as pleasant as possible.
A rollercoaster of delights!
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Jo for everything she does for S2F. Her dedication and leadership have made a huge impact on S2F over the past 10 years, and the team truly appreciates everything she does.
Congratulations on this achievement Jo, and here’s to many more wonderful years ahead!
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