Employee Spotlight: Natasha Grondin
Let's welcome a new Employee Spotlight section! We're thrilled to showcase our talented team members and their achievements. Our first featured employee to kick off this series is Natasha Grondin.
Natasha is a passionate and valued team player. Her expertise and experience in the industry are inspiring, which leads her to be the new Professional Services Manager.
We talked with Natasha about her career growth, the best part of working on the client service team at Pegasus Systems, and more below.
What were you doing before working for Pegasus Systems?
Before I joined the Pegasus team, I worked in various advertising agencies in New Zealand for twelve years. I worked in a range of production, media, and PR agencies, both independent and networked. That gave me a great foundation of experience within Pegasus' client base. All roles were within the finance team, which gave me hands-on experience doing all the tasks our clients do daily.
What drew you to Pegasus Systems?
During previous roles I used Pegasus software, which helped me gain familiarity with the tool. I also love implementing positive change through systems which I did when working for agencies.
The opportunity to work at Pegasus was the cherry on top to fine-tune those skills – improving the daily life of each user. And not only that, I could do it whilst working across the advertising industry, networking with more agencies and building valuable relationships.
And how has Pegasus changed since?
The rollout and implementation of Edge and becoming part of Volaris Group.
Before the acquisition, we were a small business with an independent corporate structure. In 2019 we entered the holding group and moved forward towards having access to more resources, a better network and being more process driven. At the same time, we were moving forward with the rolling out of our new product Pegasus Edge. This was a dynamic period of growth and change.
What is your favourite aspect of your industry?
Getting to do system/finance-based work, which I’m highly skilled at, but within a creative industry with creative spaces, people, and culture. I love supporting my clients holistically, because it’s not just about understanding the system functionalities, such as clicking this button here or entering this AP invoice there. Beyond this, you need to empathise with your client and understand what they want to achieve and why. A big part of the job is translating clients’ needs and distilling them down to core priorities.
Natasha hiking in Aoraki/Mount Cook (New Zealand).
When you are at work, how do you motivate yourself?
When I worked in finance, my work was highly cyclical. Knowing my deadlines helped me stay productive and motivated. My first six months working at Pegasus were a bit of a struggle as I changed my routine to a workflow that was highly responsive to client demands on any given day. In such environments, there is a certain level of unpredictability because you never know what the day may bring and how busy you will be, as you never know what work will land on your desk.
Now, I appreciate the dynamic/responsive environment it creates working for agencies, although I still like a well-structured project. It inspires me to work and think agilely to meet deadlines and clients’ requirements. The feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction when overcoming obstacles is what keeps me motivated to solve problems and find solutions.
I have spent a lot of time/effort reframing my workday habits to include an actual lunch break (unheard of in advertising, lol), walks in the fresh air and state changes to encourage broader thinking which helps when you’re looking for that particular solution.
So far, what has been your favourite project? Why?
Templating the implementation process when onboarding new clients. Previously we had an inefficient method. So creating templates and structured processes helped us save time and money for Pegasus and our new clients. A big change and improvement for all team members working across implementations.
What are the takeaways from the learning process?
There are always ways you can improve a process – and anyone can have a good idea. People think differently, and working in a collaborative environment gives you the best of every mind.
Pegasus Systems is open to listening to other people's input, regardless of their experience or skills, which can be invaluable.
Describe some of the challenges you have faced at this company and how you overcame them.
I mentioned earlier about a change in working style – I had to adapt and learn new skills to effectively respond to the needs of each day. This included upskilling around prioritisation. I learnt how to identify when something is urgent, communicate it appropriately with the R&D team, and build a shared knowledge base helping other team members problem-solve faster and less disruptively.
Natasha at Armstrong Saddle, Ruahine Ranges, New Zealand.
We have experienced many internal changes. After being acquired by Volaris Group, we adapted to new leadership, processes, and organisational structure. Humans feel uncomfortable during phases of change and growth - and in the last three years, Pegasus Systems has had some real moments of discomfort! These changes were not always easy, but we trusted the process and accepted the difficulties, which made us stronger and more resilient.
COVID-19 impacted the way we work and what our clients need from our product. It was a chaotic time for everyone, but we calmly and steadily overcame the obstacles resulting in better client support. On the positive side, we were able to quickly enhance our product by implementing top-notch cloud-based services. This allowed us to transition functions to paperless methods - a remarkably positive result born from adversity!
What is the client service team culture like at Pegasus Systems?
Supportive – but we also know how to keep it real (she laughs). I appreciate being surrounded by talented people who keep you accountable. We laugh, grump, and commiserate – it helps to be understood, especially when you have a frustrating day!
Natasha having a laugh with Michelle Marshall and Mark Carew at the Pegasus Christmas Party, New Zealand 2022.
Who is/are some of your major influences at work? What makes you inspired by them?
I am fortunate to have met someone who has been a tremendous influence in my career, and that person is Michelle Marshall. With years at Pegasus, Michelle has extensive knowledge about the system and the industry.
Michelle has always got my back with her valuable insights, which have helped me grow and upskill.
What is your favourite aspect of working here?
The excellent work/life balance and working with a diverse group of people that are always down for a laugh.
Can you elaborate on the diversity at Pegasus Systems?
As a queer Māori-New Zealand wāhine, it’s such a positive experience when you’re accepted, supported and uplifted in your workplace. Our team is diverse, with people from various ethnicities and backgrounds, and our differences become a shared experience. It means that you can relate to your colleagues on a human level instead of people you happen to share various work tasks with.
How has the sense of community and inclusion at Pegasus Systems impacted your work experience?
The culture at Pegasus Systems values and prioritises the well-being of its employees. When your company is not just paying lip service to diversity, but actively fostering a sense of community and inclusion among its employees, you feel supported and have a safe place to work.
“Our team is diverse with people from various ethnicities and backgrounds, and our differences become a shared experience. It means that you can relate to our colleagues on a human level instead of people you happen to share various work tasks with. ”
What is it about you that most folks don’t know?
Natasha with her cat Benee.
I dance a lot in my spare time - hip-hop, house, twerk, reggaeton, afro, jazz funk and polyswagg. For me, dance is an extension of my love of music, my “therapy”. When I finish work, I’ll go to the studio and do a dance class which helps my mind and body to decompress. It resets your brain and then you can look at things with fresh eyes, which is always so helpful. Whether it’s dancing, going for a hike, or having a cuddle with my cat, taking that time to bring joy and balance into my life helps me be more engaged and passionate in my work.
We hope you enjoy learning about our new Professional Services Manager, Natasha Grondin. We are thrilled to have her join our management team and are excited about her wealth of experience and expertise. Her leadership and skills will elevate our professional services, positively impacting our team and clients. Connect with her on LinkedIn!
Stay tuned for our next Employee Spotlight, where we’ll introduce you to another of our talented team members!