For this month's Employee Spotlight, we spoke with Scarlett Allmark from Acorn's Partners team in the UK. Scarlett talks about her time at the company, why she loves her role, and her favourite memories of working at Acorn Stairlifts.
What is your job title and what are the main responsibilities within your role?
I am a Regional Partner Account Manager at Acorn—I manage the partner accounts within my designated area. These can range from mobility shops and charities, to pharmacies, and other businesses that we work with.
Generally, I keep our partners updated with information about our products, their accounts, and the industry. I also make sure they are aware of any sales, which come through customer referrals that they have generated for us.
Alongside this, I try and find new partners to work with. Our team mainly finds them online, through search engines, directories, and on social media. We are constantly researching on the internet. As I am physically located closer to my designated area, which is the North East of England, if I see a place I think could become a partner, I can write it down and give them a call at some point during the week.
What does an average day look like for you?
The first thing I do when I wake up is drink a coffee. I have a coffee bean grinder and like to make it in a French press. I love a good cup of coffee!
Once I get into work, I look at the jobs I have lined up for the day, which includes contacting various partners and updating them with the latest information. As a team, we like to keep in touch with our partners on a two-month rolling basis, as we find it is important to keep the relationship going and ensure that the relevant people are always spoken to. This way we can learn if there is anything new with them and vice versa.
Having coffee throughout the day definitely keeps me motivated—along with thinking about my future goals and how my work can help me achieve them.
How long have you been working at Acorn and what drew you to the job initially?
I've been working at Acorn for around six years!
I initially came to work on the Warranties team. After being at the company around a year, there was a job available in the Partners team. I really liked the sound of the role and thought it was really interesting. I was right and absolutely love the role I am in now!
What is the most rewarding aspect and challenging aspect of your job role?
As part of my role, I have to approach businesses that might not want to work with us initially, and I can address any concerns they might have and reassure them of our values and practices. On the flip side, this can also be a really rewarding part of the job, as once these concerns have been discussed, they can work with us and do well in our partnership.
I would say that the best part of the job for me is when I can find a new mobility shop or business that has never even thought about stairlifts before. This surprisingly does happen, so I will speak to them, introduce myself, and strike up a partnership with them. Eventually, they could end up working with us and generating sales.
Do you have a favourite memory about working at Acorn? What is it?
It's hard to pinpoint one memory. I really enjoy working with my team. We all get on so well, and each day we have something to laugh about.
I also enjoy the garden parties, which are held as a 'thank you' to staff, and the ball we had for the 25th business anniversary was incredible!
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I would have loved to be an art teacher, as I have an art degree from Manchester Met, so that's what I thought I was going to do.
After university, I organically came into sales. I started working at Acorn for what I thought would be a short time, but I ended up loving where I was and staying longer.
If you were stuck on a desert island without electricity, what three things would you take?
I would have to say a machete to help me get firewood, water purification tablets to help clean any water I can find, and probably Bear Grylls – you pretty much have a multi-tool there!
I'd like to take something for entertainment too, but I think survival is more important.
This or that?
Day or Night? - Both! You can't have one without the other.
Zoo or Aquarium? - Zoo. I love beavers and otters.
Jeans or Dresses? - Again, both because it's impractical to choose just one.
Pancakes or Waffles? - Pancakes. I really love a cheese and ham crepe but also a maple syrup one.
Comedy or Horror? - I prefer thrillers. Gone Girl is definitely my favourite.
The Amazing Team Behind Acorn Stairlifts
Acorn's passion for helping countless people reach new heights all boils down to not only our confidence in our superior stairlift products, but the attentiveness and support of a team who truly cares about our customers and wants to make a difference.
From start to finish, Acorn assures that our customers are taken care of. From the strict standards we adhere to during manufacturing, to our superior stairlift servicing within your home, Acorn Stairlifts is hands-on throughout the entire process to ensure our customers are getting what they deserve—only the best.
Check back in later to learn more fun details about some of our other dedicated Acorn employees in the weeks to come.