Name: Christine Karaya
Job title: Customer Service Advisor
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am born Kenyan in a family of three and I happen to be the only girl! I am an all rounded person who enjoys reading and writing poetry, watching live theatre shows, going to the cinema, socializing as well as outdoor activities like biking and exploring new areas. To top the list I am also a wildlife lover and in the past years I have visited various game reserves and parks just to see their beauty. My favourite animal is a giraffe and I actually carried its carving all the way from Kenya!
Describe your job to a five-year-old.
I provide excellent customer service to people like your mommy and daddy who purchase bathroom products from us.
What do you like most about your job?
You can say I am a month old in Ideal Standard and can’t help but be happy with my new position! Ideal Standard has the best work force and my new team has been super motivating and supportive thus making the job even more enjoyable. Nothing beats the satisfaction of solving a customer’s problem and even better when you enjoy doing it!
How did you get here?
I started off as a part time production assistant for a rugby production company called Zuku Sports while studying at university. After graduating I got an opportunity to work for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation within the British Army Training Unit as a Help Desk Coordinator. After I relocated to the UK, I was so lucky to be given an opportunity at Ideal Standard to carry on pursuing my passion of customer service and public relations.
What motivates you?
I am more of a self-motivated person and I have learnt to always keep a positive outlook about things and life in general. I love being around positive people so we can support and motivate each other to achieve greatness.
If you could swap jobs with anyone, who would it be?
Ha-ha… I am enjoying my new job and I’m so engrossed on gaining more skills and knowledge as this is my area of interest. However when I was younger I always wanted to be an athlete because my country has such a proud heritage of long distance runners who have represented Kenya at the highest level.
Your favourite song lyric or line from a film.
I remember watching an old film back in the day and the line I have always remembered is “Made it mama! Top of the world”. Probably because I always used to tell my mum that I will make her proud one day.
Your favourite app?
I cannot say I have a favourite app but I do use Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp which helps me keep abreast of what’s happening around me and also helps me keep in touch with friends from overseas and around.
Biggest facepalm moment at work?
I was still very new at Ideal Standard and one day I walked into a meeting of the whole team and everybody started clapping for me. I literally looked at everybody with confusion and they all started laughing but I felt embarrassed but I did see the funny side of it.