Spotlight Q&A With Ollie Ross, CAKE’s Business Development Representative
In this spotlight Q&A, we caught up with Ollie Ross, CAKE’s EMEA Business Development Representative. Ollie brings more than six years of retail and sales experience to CAKE and is dedicated to helping prospects understand the robust and powerful capabilities of the company’s platform.
Here are some highlights from our conversation.
What is your current role at CAKE and what are you focused on?
I am on the Business Development team at CAKE. In my role, I engage with potential clients through video calls to understand their unique business needs and challenges, and explain how CAKE can offer a solution. The main outcome of these conversations is to provide prospects with a demo, while equipping them with the knowledge and confidence that CAKE is the right solution for their business.
Currently, I am focused on continuing to deepen my product and industry knowledge. CAKE has so many useful features and functionality, so I like to stay up to date on all product releases. I have three training sessions a week with our Technical Director which has really helped me cement my knowledge and understanding of the platform.
Can you share more about your journey into performance marketing?
My interest in marketing really grew while I was at university. I studied at the University of Winchester, and earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and a master’s degree in International Business. I heard of performance marketing through my studies and wanted to combine it with my love for technology. While I was coming to the end of earning my master’s, I researched different technology providers and was fortunate enough to come across CAKE.
When I first started at the company, I was amazed at CAKE’s ability to provide clients with sophisticated technology and real-time campaign insights.
CAKE has opened up so many opportunities for me to learn even more about the affiliate marketing and lead generation industries by going to events, speaking to business owners, and understanding industry-specific business needs. I have been in the industry for a year now and I have seen just how competitive it is. The fast-paced affiliate industry requires adaptability, resilience, and an openness to change.
What is the biggest trend you are seeing in performance marketing in Europe right now?
One of the biggest trends that I’ve seen over the past few years is the rise of online shopping. Since COVID, a lot of consumers have moved away from traditional shopping to online shopping. I am consistently on calls with prospects that are looking to ramp up their ecommerce efforts, and specifically want more insight into online consumer interactions and spending.
I am always thrilled to share with prospects that CAKE’s Affiliate Marketing Software can be integrated with our ecommerce functionality to provide insight into consumer purchasing behavior, product feeds, and voucher codes.
Outside of work, what are you passionate about?
I’m passionate about family time. The pandemic has made me realize the importance of the time I get to spend with my family, and I like to make sure we make memories where and when we can. I’m very fortunate to have a family who continues to encourage me throughout my educational and professional journey. They’re always on hand to give me advice if I’m unsure how to approach a situation and support me with any decisions I make.
What is one piece of advice you would offer prospects looking for an affiliate software solution?
The main piece of advice I would give to prospects is to do your research. There are six key factors that every prospect should evaluate in a potential affiliate software solution. Ask yourself, does it:
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- Deliver superior customer support?
- Enable you to scale your affiliate program?
- Provide more than just the lowest price?
- Guarantee a long-term viable solution that won’t go out of business?
- Offer additional revenue opportunities for your business (ex: lead distribution)?
- Prioritize consumer privacy?
When I first started at CAKE, I was surprised at the consultative approach we take to people’s businesses. We won’t go through the process of signing up a new client unless we are 100 percent sure that CAKE fits their needs. I think it’s also important for prospects to understand the level of support here at CAKE. Clients have access to an Account Manager who is there to help their business get the most out of the CAKE platform and available 24/7 for phone and email support.
What is your favorite CAKE feature and why?
My favorite feature is the real-time campaign insights. For businesses, access to this feature enables them to understand how consumers interact on their website so that they can optimize their online campaign performance. This functionality is key for any businesses that want to increase their online engagement, presence, and conversions.
What is one thing people don’t know about you?
There isn’t a lot that people don’t know about me as I’m quite an open book and always happy to speak to those who have questions about my life.
However, the one thing that most people don’t know about me is my fear of ducks. Those that I have spoken to about this fear look at me and laugh because I’m 6 feet 6 inches tall and scared of something that is very small. I was pecked when I was younger and it’s an experience that has stuck with me even into my twenties.
Other content you might be interested in:
- Blog: Affiliate Marketing Trends 2022: A Look Forward
- Checklist: Choosing the Right Affiliate Software for Your Company
- Blog: Build vs Buy Software: Dispelling 3 Myths About Building Your Own Affiliate Network Solution