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MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY - EMMA JANE TAYLOR (NÉE GOODALL) OC'85
What is your profession and current position?
I am the CEO of Dot-The-Eye Ltd. a company that works with not-for-profit associations, institutions, and societies both in the UK and internationally. Dot-The-Eye supports these volunteer-led organisations in many different ways. One aspect is ensuring that the day-to-day things happen, such as collecting of members fees, managing finances, and even ensuring the bills are paid. Another aspect involves more complex tasks such as organising events in the UK and abroad, creating and implementing marketing campaigns, building websites and producing and publishing publications. This means the volunteers can focus on working to improve and enhance their chosen field of expertise.
How did Clarendon get you ready for the world of work?
The school had a very positive environment in which we were encouraged to believe in ourselves and that if we worked hard, we could achieve our dreams.
When I was in the sixth form at Clarendon, along with 3 friends, I got permission to start the school tuck shop. Funded by a loan from my parents, we sourced the items and managed the venture. The staff encouraged and supported us, giving us the chance to understand what it takes to run a business (admittedly a very small venture) in a safe place.
What is your biggest professional achievement?
It’s hard to say, I guess most people would say it’s running my own business for the last 17 years, which is continuing to grow and develop in terms of both customers and staff.
Maybe for me, it is showing people that being dyslexic is not a barrier and does not mean people are stupid or cannot achieve their goals.
What has been your most challenging professional moment?
The most challenging thing about running a business, in my view, is managing your teams’ expectations and demands. You need to treat people equally and fairly, so if you allow one member of the team to do something which you don’t allow another you must have clear reasoning behind this. It’s a balancing act and there have been many moments when this was a challenge.
What inspires and motivates you at work?
I enjoy a challenge and am often resolving complex problems which enables the organisations that we work with to grow and develop. I am lucky to work with a great team of people and have a mix of customers, so I never know what the day will hold!
What is one piece of advice you would like to share with pupils or OMs about getting into your profession?
Do something you enjoy. You will spend a large amount of your life working, so being able to get up each day knowing you are heading out to a job you enjoy is a real benefit not only for your own wellbeing, but your family and your work colleagues. I love my job and the variety it brings me and even though some days are tough, I would not change it.