Staff spotlight series: Michael Lewis

Continuing our Staff Spotlight Series, we shine a light on the people behind Leighton O’Brien who make the company tick. This month we’re lifting the curtain on talented team member Michael Lewis!

Describe what you do and the best part about your job?
I have been with Leighton O’Brien (LOB) for 4 years and currently work in our Wetstock Operations team as the Customer Success Manager. I’m responsible for ensuring each of our Wetstock clients are getting maximum value from our Wetstock Live solution by keeping them up to date with product developments as they are rolled out; and training them on the best practices for using it. An important part of my role is to also gather feedback. This feedback enables the team to scope and prioritise which upgrades are applied to either the product as a whole, or tailored to a specific clients needs.

What do clients love about your work?
I like to think my clients appreciate my eagerness to collaborate with their operational teams to ensure reporting and investigation workflows are finding the issues, and looking at how we can improve our systems in the process. For example, by working closely with them, I am able to understand where the introduction of new reporting and alarms as an upgrade would be the most beneficial, which in turn enables them to get the most out of our Wetstock Live reporting system. We are very fortunate that Wetstock Live is flexible, meaning not every client uses the system in the exact same way.

What key thing have you learnt from working at Leighton O’Brien?
I come from an environmental science background and thought that my career would be spent quietly performing monotonous experiments all day. Instead, during my time at LOB I have learnt the value and importance of managing professional relationships. My role requires me to coordinate meetings across multiple continents, addressing regulatory demands for different regions and manage projects from conception to close. I have certainly learnt to anticipate clients needs and expectations which goes a long way to managing a successful partnership.

What’s one item you want to own that you don’t?
A Pomegranate tree that actually produces fruit! Mine just sits in the backyard taking up space.

Name one thing from your childhood that kids these days wouldn’t understand
The sweet harmonic sound of dial up internet attempting to connect.

Where is the best place you’ve traveled to and why?
Mt Everest base camp. I was lucky to be a part of the first group of the season to go for the 2017 season where we had the entire track to ourselves apart from the odd yak. While each day was physically exhausting, the beauty of the Himalayas makes each step worth it 10 times over.