Why Qualtrics – Alice McGinley – EMEA Sales Manager – Dublin

What is your 'why'? Why do you do what you do...

‘Why’ is one of my favourite words. I love to understand people. You can learn a lot if you really listen to what people have to say and understand the meaning behind it.

I’m curious by nature from both a learning aspect and from a people aspect. Early in my career I realised that helping people grow on both a personal level and a professional level is something I deeply care about. I just so happened to find that I could do that in Qualtrics.

From day one, Qualtrics has encouraged me to have a voice and use it. Within 6 months of joining Qualtrics, I found myself in a leadership role, my manager at the time Robin Pearcy, trusted me and encouraged me to take on some extra projects.

Not long after, I was nominated by Rob to start the Inbound SDR team, I grew the team 0% revenue to over $1M in 10 months, and from 2 people to 10. This gave me the opportunity to hone in my leadership skills. After 2 years I transitioned into an AE role, where my structured and hard working mentality helped me to become successful. Further down the line, an opportunity arose for me to lead a team of Junior Sales Profession, which is where I find myself today.

Now I lead a team of three incredible people, who I get to help shape into the sales professionals/ leaders of the future.

Never in a million years would I have thought I would find a company that would give me all of these opportunities in 4 years. This is only the beginning...CEO next? Too far!

What attracted you to Qualtrics in the first place?

I first heard of Qualtrics through a friend of mine, they started talking to me about the SDR role (this was something I was not considering as sales is what I’ve always worked at). However, I remember watching a video of Ryan Smith and Stuart Orgil presenting to a group of university students in the early days. They spoke about why Qualtrics and the journey Ryan had taken with his dad. It reminded so much about when I worked for my Mam’s business, and the time we worked out of a bedroom. (scrappy). This made me realise that I would be joining a company full of innovators and disruptors, a place where people create their own story. Scott Smith had this desire to make research simple and efficient – a natural problem solver.

What was the turning point where you 'had to have the job'?

I was interviewed by Bryce Winkleman on a couch in the middle of the sales floor with the sun beaming on my face. He told me that this is only the beginning of the story, that we are just getting started and I believed him. I then met Dermot Costello who spoke to me about horses, a bit about sales and within 10 minutes he was setting up my last interview. I knew I could work with them and it just clicked!

Any tips for someone who is considering an opportunity at Qualtrics?

When I joined Qualtrics, I remember being grateful of the little things; like fruit in the office, simple praise for each other and the 40 handshakes and well wishes I received on day one (all employees in Dublin at the time).

Join Qualtrics if you get genuinely excited about fixing things, if you like to create your own runway. Don’t come here expecting it to be perfect. It’s not. If you want an easy, predictable career – this is not the one for you. I have had opportunity to learn, move roles and challenge myself through 6 promotions in 4 years. You have the unique opportunity to learn something new everyday and to keep challenging yourself to be a better version of the person you where the day before.

What surprised you most about working at Qualtrics?

The product and the people.

As a sales professional, getting the opportunity to work with a product that keeps changing and adapting on a bi-weekly basis - quality is at the forefront of their design. This gets me excited.

I have met people from so many diverse backgrounds and experiences, not only have I made friends for life but they have expanded my thinking beyond what I would have thought possible.

What are your aspirations in career/life?

I try not to worry about where I’m going and focus on the journey of getting there..as Dermot thought us “ Life is a journey, not a destination” but his advice was also you need to balance your personal life, work life and education together.

What is your top #LifeHack?

Everything in life is temporary, before you know it, the thing you worried so much about will be over. And remember, you are your most important person.

Bonus: Describe Qualtrics to a candidate in 3 words!

Fast, Changing, Passion

	Alice McGinley is a Sales Manager in Qualtrics’ Dublin, Ireland office. She holds a Bachelors in Business Management with First class honours from Maynooth University.