Finding the perfect balance for success
Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria is the remote setting for one of two top performing branches at Enterprise, hitting the 90 Club six times in FY 2016.
“Branch manager of six years, Jen Lysons, had planned to leave Barrow after university when she found herself wanting to stay local. But graduate careers were limited. “Then I stumbled across Enterprise and… here I am.”
Often encouraged to seek promotion, she enjoys her current role. “I have the perfect work life balance, as does my team. My team has been the same for 12 months, which is quite unheard of. We all live five minutes away from the branch. It’s great that we can have this career, live where we want to live and socialise with friends.”
Location does not limit Jen’s ambition. “My aim is to be number one. It’s about following processes. Do them every day. Make sure you and your team are on the same page. We focus on the intrinsic rewards, the recognition. The email from someone high up the company saying you’ve done well, it’s the best thing.”
Jen proposed an alternative work arrangement (AWA) to provide better balance.
I’ve always been supported to have exactly the hours I need.
“After returning from maternity leave I started on 20 hours. I upped this to 30 hours when my daughter turned two and to 40 hours when she turned three. I have Wednesdays off and I start at 9.00am to be mum at the school gate. I get to be mummy and I get to be a branch manager.”
“I’ve always been supported to have exactly the hours I need. I couldn’t have asked for a better company to work for.”
