Celebrating the phenomenal women of Mail Blaze!

This August, as South Africa celebrates Women’s Month, Mail Blaze takes the opportunity to honour the incredible women who play pivotal roles within the company. These inspiring individuals have not only contributed to Mail Blaze's success but have also exemplified the strength, intelligence and dedication of women in the workplace.

Let's get to know some of these remarkable women and celebrate their achievements.

Geraldine Flores, Head of Customer Support

Meet Geraldine Flores, the Head of Customer Support at Mail Blaze. Her journey, from being one of the first customer support consultants at Mail Blaze to her recent promotion, is an inspiring testament to the power of perseverance and dedication.

Geraldine's passion for providing top-notch customer support is unmatched. Her dedication to ensuring customer satisfaction has earned Mail Blaze a reputation for outstanding service. Geraldine believes that fostering strong relationships with customers is key to business success.

Question for Geraldine: How do you maintain a positive and supportive team atmosphere within the customer support department?

I maintain a positive and supportive team atmosphere by promoting open communication, recognizing achievements, and fostering a culture of collaboration and growth. By leading with empathy and providing opportunities for professional development, I ensure a motivated and cohesive team that delivers exceptional customer service.

Question for Geraldine: If you could instantly master any instrument or language, which one would you choose and why?

I would choose to instantly master the French language. French is widely spoken across various regions, offering the opportunity to connect with diverse cultures and communities, and it holds practical value for both travel and international communication.

Annie Maharaj, Business Development Executive

Annie's ability to connect with clients and present solutions tailored to their needs has been invaluable. Annie firmly believes that consistency is the cornerstone of success. Consistency refers to the practice of consistently and diligently working towards my goals, regardless of the circumstances or challenges I face," she affirms.

Question for Annie: How do you stay motivated and consistently achieve outstanding sales results? Staying motivated and consistently achieving outstanding sales results can be challenging, but with the right strategies, mindset, and habits, I can increase my chances of success by setting clear goals and maintaining a positive mindset.

Question for Annie: Imagine you're hosting a dinner party for historical figures. Who would be on your guest list and what's the most intriguing conversation topic at the table?

Eleanor Roosevelt: A strong advocate for human rights and social justice.

Albert Einstein: A groundbreaking physicist and thinker.

Nelson Mandela: A leader in the anti-apartheid movement and former president of South Africa.

Jane Austen: An iconic author known for her insightful novels.

Mahatma Gandhi: An iconic lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist and political ethicist.

I would propose a conversation topic that revolves around the ways these historical figures harnessed their creativity to drive change and influence their respective eras. This would lead to a fascinating discussion about how different forms of creativity, whether artistic, intellectual, or leadership-oriented, have been catalysts for societal progress and transformation.

Kim Razo, Customer Support Consultant

Kim's dedication and attentiveness to customers' concerns have made her an indispensable part of the support team. She believes that open and honest communication and reliability are essential to building trust with clients. "Trust is not easily earned, but keeping clients well-informed, ensuring they have a clear understanding of what to expect, and consistently delivering our promises and commitments strengthens the bond of trust," Kim shares.

Question for Kim: How do you handle challenging customer situations and turn them into positive experiences?

I allow the client to express their concern without interruption while maintaining a calm and professional demeanor. Once I’ve confirmed and fully understood the concern, I would take immediate action or set expectations if necessary. I keep in mind that the goal is not only to resolve the issue but also to leave the customer feeling heard, valued, and satisfied with the way their concern was handled.

Question for Kim: What’s your favourite quote?

"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." - Oscar Wilde

It's a reminder to celebrate our uniqueness and value what makes us who we are.

Brenda Monderin, Customer Support Consultant

Brenda's unwavering dedication to providing top-notch customer support is truly commendable. Her problem-solving skills and quick responses have been instrumental in resolving customer queries.

Question for Brenda: How do you maintain a balance between providing personalised support and managing a high volume of customer inquiries?

I make sure to dig and check the client’s concerns to make sure that the assistance I am providing them is tailored to their account. I also check on previous concerns to see if they have anything to do with her current issue. As for times when we receive a large volume of customer inquiries, I still do the same thing. I don’t want the clients to feel they're getting just a generic response. That is how we build brand loyalty, by providing great customer service and making them feel valued.

Question for Brenda: If you could have a lunch date with any historical female figure, who would it be and what's the first question you would ask her?

It will be Susan Anthony. I’d ask what made her stand against slavery and for the promotion of women's and workers' rights. I wanted to know what pushed her, considering it was something everyone was afraid to do during that Era. It was amazing to learn she paved the way for women’s rights, starting with getting the right to vote.

Pauline Radford-Hayden, Head of Marketing and Ops

Pauline's journey at Mail Blaze has been one of growth. As the Head of Marketing and Ops, when asked about her secret to success, Pauline says, "Success to me is tied to motivation. It isn’t in one action or one campaign, it’s about consistently showing up and bringing your best self to whatever you do. When you have fun and genuinely care about what you do, it means the motivation flows."

Question for Pauline: What advice would you give to young women aspiring to leadership roles in the workplace?

• Read Leadership and Self-deception by the Arbinger Institute. It will change your life! It’s an amazing book that helps you overcome the bias or blindness that lies within each of us. The best way to lead is to actually do it through your own actions too. Being aware of how your true motivation can sabotage your efforts can really help you be and, in turn, lead better.
• Don’t be scared to speak up for yourself.

Question for Pauline: When you're not conquering the world of marketing and operations, what's your favourite way to unwind and recharge?

I like to create, so most likely, when I’m not working, I’m doing some sort of craft project like painting or sewing. Other than that, my kids keep me super busy.

Precious Mutero, Copywriter

Precious's creativity and flair for writing have added a unique touch to Mail Blaze's marketing materials. Her engaging content has continued to push the company's brand image forward. Precious believes that continuous self-improvement is important for personal and professional growth. "Invest time in learning and refining your skills," she suggests.

Question for Precious: How do you overcome writer's block and consistently come up with fresh and compelling content ideas?

Collaborate with others or even brainstorm on your own. Jot down any idea that comes to mind, no matter how silly it seems. Some great ideas can emerge from unexpected places.

Also, read articles, books or relevant content in your niche. Learning from others can spark inspiration and help you generate new angles for your own content.

Question for Precious: If you could have a billboard with any message on it, what would it say and why?

“It’s going to be okay.”

A lot of people are so hard on themselves and they, therefore, fail to see the good that lies ahead of them if they don’t give up. So, I’d like them to know that it’s going to be okay and to keep pushing.

“You strike a woman, you strike a rock”

The women of Mail Blaze, Pauline, Geraldine, Annie, Kim, Brenda and Precious—are shining examples of what can be achieved with dedication, perseverance, and passion.

In this special month, we salute these phenomenal women and express our gratitude for their outstanding contributions to the success of Mail Blaze. May their stories inspire many more to reach new heights and break barriers in the workplace. Happy Women’s Month.