Team Spotlight: Meet Weiwei, Our Operations Specialist
An interview with Weiwei, Operations Specialist
Tell us about what you do for Centric Squared.
Answer: I support our team in a number of ways, including scheduling meetings, organizing our files, providing project management, and conducting content research. I recently started developing SOPs for our agency to help streamline internal processes to support our Email & SMS services growth.
What kind of skills do you have to do this role?
Answer: I think the first is great communication, which includes making sure that I ask questions to ensure that I have a solid understanding of what is needed before starting a task as well as actively asking for feedback prior to completing a task.
The second skill needed to perform this role is a “get-it-done” attitude. To ensure that I complete all tasks assigned to me, I follow a ‘bullet journal’ system at work and only cross tasks off my to-dos when they are done.
The third skill is to embrace a “just do, don’t worry about if it is perfect” view.
What’s something you’d love to share about your role with others?
Answer: Sara contracted me as her Virtual Assistant when she just moved to Germany from the US, as there is a lot on her plate as the CEO of Centric Squared. I was immediately blown away by her daily tasks, which included managing a team of 15+ people while being a hands-on mom. We understood each other very well from the beginning.
At Centric Squared, our values are, Dig Deep, Create Value, and Use Empathy. I felt from the start very connected to the people in the team, our mission, and team culture. Charlie Tremendous Jones said, “You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.” – this reminds me of Sara!
Can you describe the path that led you to Centric Squared?
Answer: I was hired first as Sara’s virtual assistant, and we enjoyed working with each other, so she brought me into Centric Squared. I still feel very lucky!
I have been given the opportunity to expand my skills and knowledge, and while I did not have experience working in email marketing, Centric Squared has given me the opportunity to learn and grow.
What’s a lesson you’ve learned since joining the team?
Answer: There is so much about Email and SMS Marketing! Sara and the Centric Squared team have been doing this since 2017 and they are still learning, staying up-to-date with the new tools, and reflecting on what they can do better for their clients every day.
It is very inspiring to work with people whose default is to optimize processes, services, and results.
What advice would you give to someone who is interested in becoming an Operations Specialist?
Answer: When you reflect on the things that you have accomplished in life (moving to a new home, learning a new language, inviting friends to a home-made meal, organizing a trip, etc.), look at them as projects that can be broken into steps and steps that need to be executed one by one to move forward.
And, if there is something you don’t know how to execute, do some research or ask for help. We don’t need to invent the wheel, we just need to find out how they did it and copy that. I think these are the core principles of operations, which is to ‘get it done’ and then move on to the next.
When you’re not working, what are you doing?
Answer: I enjoy spending time with my partner, taking walks, going to new places, and visiting cafes and restaurants. I enjoy my time alone when I can read a book or watch YouTube videos.
What’s one book on your bookshelf right now?
Answer: I am reading Crying in H Mart, a memoir about growing up Korean American. The author shares her relationship with her mother, and her experience forging her own identity. Being raised by a Chinese mom and living in Europe since my early 20s, there are many things in this book that I can relate to very much.
Are you interested in joining our team? Please visit our About page to learn more and apply!