Octopus Power is made up of 1000+ implausible folks engaged on stuff you’d by no means anticipate, all pushing onerous in the direction of a shared aim: driving the worldwide inexperienced vitality revolution. In our Highlight collection, we’ll introduce you to among the sensible folks behind the scenes.
Sotiris joined Octopus two years in the past to work as a part of the rapidly-growing Leicester Operations Group. He is a part of our hit squad on recruiting, working onerous to make sure we’re hiring the correct folks to hitch the Octopus household.
Lately I had a digital chat with Sotiris to debate a day within the lifetime of an Octopus group member, and the progressive adjustments he’s engaged on to make sure our recruitment is honest for all.
Samsam: So what do you do at Octopus?
Sotiris: During the last 2 years, I’ve labored as a part of Octopus’ customer support group, which implies chatting to clients on daily basis through e-mail and on the telephone to assist with any questions or points they’ve with their vitality accounts.
I am a part of the best group to grace Octopus Power: Group I.
We do customer support somewhat in another way right here – each vitality specialist is put in a small group of ~10 individuals who may help clients with their issues end-to-end. Every group takes care of a small group of shoppers, so each group is prefer it’s personal mini-business, and clients get to talk to the identical group every time they get in contact.
I am additionally a part of Octopus’ hit squad on recruitment, altering up the way in which we rent to assist develop our buyer providers group in probably the most ‘Octopus’ manner.
Samsam: What does your everyday appear to be?
Sotiris: The beauty of Octopus is that on daily basis can look totally different, and you’re all the time inspired to discover your pursuits. Numerous my group members have moved to managing groups of their very own or taken on roles in specialist areas, and I’ve progressed to recruiting vivid and sensible new vitality specialists – although I am going to all the time nonetheless spend a little bit of time every week talking to clients.
I discover resolving complaints actually satisfying, particularly when it includes an advanced investigation.
After I first joined I used to be tremendous nervous about talking to clients on the telephone nevertheless it was fairly an accomplishment to have the ability to efficiently take care of a buyer concern and really hear the service made their day.
It by no means fails to place a smile on my face and to at the present time I like that a part of the position.
Samsam: What’s the greatest a part of your job?
Sotiris: I actually worth the significance of a private contact relating to coping with our clients, and I’ve actually loved being a spotlight of somebody’s day.
I’ve actually loved being a spotlight of somebody’s day, going above and past, whether or not it’s sending flowers to somebody going by a troublesome time, or a Christmas card to somebody who’s been residing on their very own.
Samsam: Have you ever all the time been thinking about Power and Sustainability?
Sotiris: I’ve all the time tried to be environmentally acutely aware however working for Octopus has taught me a lot. It is wonderful to me how a lot of an impression we have now been in a position to have on our business and the atmosphere. The popularity we have now had for our know-how and strategy in attempting to revolutionise the vitality business has been fairly inspiring.
Samsam: What’s it like serving to to recruit for Octopus’ group and what drew you to it?
Sotiris and group main considered one of our recruitment Discovery Days
We’ve created ‘Discovery Days’ which take the main focus away from CVs as a approach to fight potential unconscious bias – our recruitment group now don’t have any earlier information of the background and even final names of individuals.
They contain a enjoyable icebreaker, Zoom group workouts based mostly on buyer situations, a Q&A and a panel interview.
These many group actions and challenges all through the day enable us to actually see how each applicant performs, so we are able to decide one of the best folks for the job.
Range has all the time been vital to us, however the George Floyd protests actually introduced dwelling simply how essential, and expedited key adjustments we wished to make.
One thing that we’re fairly happy with as an organization is that we don’t simply do the token social media posts however really observe by – elevating funds, wanting in on ourselves after which working collectively as a group to place that to good use.
It will have been really easy to simply do a fast put up after which return to regular, however that’s not how we do issues.
Samsam: What are you on the lookout for in a brand new rent?
Once we say ‘group gamers’ we actually imply it – Octopus is full of people that genuinely need to see one another on daily basis.
Principally, we’re on the lookout for individuals who share our ambition to make an enormous, optimistic impression on the atmosphere.
We’re additionally on the lookout for group gamers who match our enthusiasm, work ethic and our common outlook.
I believe this stuff are an enormous a part of why we have now been in a position to develop so quick in scale.
Fast Qs
Your most memorable day at work?
It’s a tie between the primary Discovery Day and my One Yr Octopus Anniversary the place I obtained tons of balloons and presents from the group.
Favorite album?
To Pimp a Butterfly – Kendrick Lamar
Finest TV present to rewatch?
Peep Present
Favorite vacation you have been on?
Oh that is tough. Simply earlier than I joined Octopus I spent a number of months at an American Summer time Camp the place I used to be a lifeguard. I like Watersports and instructing so it was an unbelievable expertise.
Samsam: How have you ever been maintaining your self entertained while working from dwelling?
I’m very grateful as my life hasn’t been affected as a lot as different folks, and I stay with folks I like. It may be onerous to remain entertained generally however I’ve been maintaining busy with baking, operating and doing issues I might in any other case not get time for.
We additionally went all out for Christmas with our decorations and even purchased three Christmas timber which was undoubtedly attention-grabbing…
Samsam: What work have you ever achieved at Octopus that you simply’re most happy with?
Positively the adjustments to our recruitment course of, and enhancing it so we’re hiring one of the best folks for the job, no matter their background. The standard recruitment technique creates homogeneous work areas whereas our manner isn’t involved along with your background, what you appear to be and even your earlier performances – it’s nearly your present advantage.
I’m actually happy with it, the entire group works actually onerous at it and it’s already created a extra inclusive atmosphere.
Need to be part of our group?
Come meet Sotiris in a Discovery Day and land your self a task with Europe’s best-funded inexperienced tech startup doing crucial job there may be: serving to our clients.
We’d like genuine, passionate folks to hitch groups all around the UK (or 100% distant, if that is your factor).