Staff Spotlight: Liz Siemens

Our next staff spotlight is Liz Siemens, our Sales Manager! Liz has been instrumental to ALP’s growth and is an asset to our operations, as she continues to provide support to our customers and production team.

1) How long have you worked at Associated?

I am approaching the 12-year mark! I started at ALP right after my maternity leave with my first daughter, who is almost 13 years old. Wow, the time has flown!

2) Describe your journey at Associated so far.

For me, it has been a long journey full of successes, failures, special relationships, and a ton of personal growth. It’s been the best rollercoaster ride a thrill-seeker like myself could ever ask for!

3) What is your favourite thing about working here?

Hands down, the people. Not to sound cliché, but I get to work with some of the most interesting people I have spent the last decade or more getting to know and growing with.

4) What are you most proud of since working here?

I am super proud of our team in the sales department. We’ve had quite the journey and shared so many memories and experiences. We’re a diverse group of strong individuals that all get along with each other really well despite our differences…and similarities! We do our best to celebrate each other’s uniqueness and try to challenge one another to be the best version of ourselves, learning and growing every step of the way.

5) What is the biggest challenge you've had since working here?

By far, it has been this pandemic. It’s been the biggest challenge but perhaps resulted in the most growth as well. I was forced to be patient and take things one day at a time, which goes against my “go, go, go” approach and the need to control my surroundings. Not possible in a pandemic!

6) Do you have a particular moment or memory at Associated that stands out for you?

There are so many; it is hard to pick just one! The Christmas parties, the team lunches, team building events, out-of-town tradeshows, and even the press checks with clients that go well into the night or very early in the morning!

7) What does a typical day look like for you, and what are you currently working on?

A typical day for me is attending to many emails and checking in with my teammates to see what we need to tackle that day. Every day brings me something new with an opportunity to learn something about our business, the world, human nature, or about myself.

8) Describe the advancement opportunities here.

Because our company has grown so much and continues to grow every year, the opportunities are somewhat endless. We have created new positions every year since I have started, including positions I have been in myself.

9) How does Associated support professional development?

It is amazing how Associated supports its team members in professional development. We have a program that empowers employees to strengthen their skillset and learn new skills to help them with their current role and other roles that they may be interested in pursuing in the future within Associated.

10) What is on your wish list for the next five years?

For work, it would be to complete our current ERP system redesign or at least the foundational design! However, I have realized that we’ll never actually be done if we want to keep growing our capabilities with our clients!

On a personal note, my children are about to be teenagers, so I hope I can survive these next five years with some sanity left! In all seriousness, though, my wish is that they will have the strength always to push themselves to do better, learn from their mistakes, stand up for what they believe in, and always be kind and compassionate to others. Oh, and to get their driver’s license, so my husband and I don’t have to drive them everywhere!

11) Given the chance, who would you be for a day?

I wish I could answer this with something deep and profound, but honestly, I keep coming back to the idea that I would absolutely love to be someone that could fly! I’m a fast walker and often wish I could go even faster - what better way than to channel my inner Superwoman!