Shazad Sarwar

Customer Advisor - New-member Sales

"Patience and good listening skills are the key to doing a good job in my role. I take calls from the non-members who could be interested in joining, looking for the best price possible or simply checking out how we compare to the competition. Whatever their reason for calling, I always question carefully and pay attention to what it is potential customers are looking for. This way, I can give them the best possible service - which is what we're all about at the AA.

"I've been with the company for just over four years now. And I've learned a lot during this time. I started out as a breakdown advisor which gave me a good grounding in how best to deal with customers. My latest role, as a Customer Advisor in New Member Sales, has helped me to develop an entirely new set of skills which I hope will stand me in good stead for the future. I've become a strong and effective negotiator. My communications skills are improving all the time. And because it's quite a target-driven environment, I've had to demonstrate high levels of commitment and tenacity in my approach.

"It's fast-paced and challenging work. But it's very far from being the cut-throat, impersonal sales environment I've heard about elsewhere. Instead, the atmosphere is, on the whole, relaxed, friendly and informal. I've always felt well supported - both in terms of day-to-day contact with my manager and getting the right training to help me do the best I can. There's a flexible and understanding attitude towards your own needs too - so working part-time has never been an issue."