Earlier this month, CSG announced Heidi Aulakh as our Employee of the Year. Heidi is a shining example of many of CSG’s core values.
In honor of her receiving Employee of the Year, we asked Heidi some questions about herself, her role at CSG and how she defines success.
Q: What is your role at CSG?
I am the Director of Client Service for CSG and I am just shy of my 11 year CSG-versary.
In this role, I am responsible for managing my own clients, but also two of our team members.
Q: Three words to best describe you:
Thoughtful. Enthusiastic. Creative.
Q: What does a typical day look like for you?
My days always include in a meeting or two (or four) and lots of emails about projects to and from clients and the design team.
I have been working at being more intentional with time blocking and setting time for specific tasks like copywriting, campaign planning, etc. If I have the time blocked off, I know I will get it done – otherwise there’s a chance it will get away from me.
Q: What motivates you to get your job done?
My clients and our team. I am a helper by nature, and so I want to make my clients’ jobs a little easier and day a little better.
Our team is so talented, and I feel lucky to get to work with such a smart, creative group – I want to make sure I am holding up my end of the bargain.
Q: What do you like most about working for CSG?
I am very lucky that I get to work with clients and teammates that feel more like friends than coworkers. There’s a lot of mutual respect on all sides that really make coming to work a pleasure.
Q: How has CSG helped you in your career development?
I came to CSG from the client-side. I worked at several associations and non-profits prior to my time here and to be honest, I really wasn’t sure what I wanted to be when I grew up. But during the past 11 years, I realized that I do have a passion for event marketing – there’s really nothing like bringing an industry together and I love having a part in that.
Q: What drew you to CSG originally?
In 2009, I hired CSG to do membership marketing for my association. It was still early on in my career, and even so, I felt very supported by the CSG team. The customer service standard of CSG was something I had never really experienced from other vendors and that’s something that really hasn’t changed over the past 11 years. We are all 100% committed to our clients and each other and I think that shows.
Q: How do you define success?
Depends on the situation – but sometimes it’s just about making it through the day, and sometimes it’s about achieving a big goal. But I think ultimately, you’re successful if are proud of the effort you made.
Q: If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be?
Maybe a nurse or a doctor? I know there’s a lot more to it, but I love solving a medical mystery.
Q: If you had to eat one meal, every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Tacos!
Q: Motto or personal mantra?
“You can do hard things.”
This is from Glennon Doyle’s “Untamed” which I read earlier this year. I didn’t even realize it at the time, but I have lived this mantra for years before reading it.
We are always capable of more than what we give ourselves credit for – and this is a perfect reminder of that.