This month's Team Spotlight is on Ané Bedford Smith, the enthusiastic and insightful Project Manager at Wattle. With an exceptional knack for bridging client needs with digital solutions, Ané's journey from a client to a key player on our team shows her deep understanding of project dynamics and client relationships. Her ability to blend project management with genuine empathy and adaptability makes her an invaluable asset to our team.
Hello Ané!
Ané's connection with Wattle began when she was a client at CIMPSA, collaborating with us on a significant digital transformation project. Her impressive handling of complex tasks and calm approach led her to join Wattle a year ago. Since then, she has driven our projects forward, bringing her unique perspective to enhance our processes and outputs.
As Project Manager, I oversee the lifecycle of our projects. My role is to ensure that each project is delivered on time, within budget, and exceeds our client's expectations regarding value and innovation. I thrive on the challenge of transforming client visions into reality, ensuring we are always a step ahead in anticipating and fulfilling their needs.
I began my career as a neurorehabilitation therapist, working with stroke patients to improve their quality of life. This role taught me patience, empathy, and the importance of tailored care, which are now integral to my approach to project management. Transitioning into digital transformation was a significant shift, spurred by the need for a new challenge and influenced by my unique opportunity to work with Dame Kelly Holmes. Working with Dame Kelly was transformative; her compassion and understanding of the challenges faced by military families and her encouragement allowed me to explore a new career direction in project management. She was incredibly supportive, recognising my potential and allowing me to balance my professional life with my family.
What I love most about my role is the opportunity to work on many projects across various sectors. Every day is different at Wattle. The dynamic nature of our projects keeps me constantly engaged, from working with The Geological Society of London leaning about plate tectonics, The Institute for Environmental Management acquiring new skills about sustainability and The National Hair and Beauty Foundation exploring the world of beauty companies.
My life, filled with unique challenges and adventures, has taught me to be incredibly flexible and resilient. Living in army barracks has presented numerous logistical and personal challenges, but these experiences have taught me to adapt quickly and effectively in any professional setting.
In the membership sector, the primary challenge is managing stakeholders' diverse expectations while aligning them with technological capabilities. There's often a gap between what boards envision and what is practically achievable, leading to strategic misalignments.
I use my expertise in stakeholder management to facilitate transparent and open communication channels between our clients and our project teams. By developing comprehensive change management strategies, I help ensure that project goals are realistic and align with our client's operational needs and long-term visions.
We're excited about introducing new features to streamline administrative processes and enhance member engagement. These features are designed to create a more connected and interactive community, allowing our clients to provide a superior membership experience.
Outside work, I'm passionate about boxing, boot camp, and walking with my family and our dogs. These activities keep me active and sharp, enabling me to bring my best self to work daily.
