What’s it really like to work at Clarity? With over 600 employees and branches all over the country and further afield we thought we’d share some of our staff stories to help you get to know us better. Starting with Clarity CEO, Pat McDonagh:
What’s a regular morning for you?
A typical morning involves driving to the office for around 8am. I like to get in early, but it depends on how the previous evening has been with my two boys (they like to keep their Dad up!). As soon as I get in the car, I am working. I use the drive to check in with the Executive team.
I never like to go straight in to a meeting first thing in the morning. If I did, it would be hard to gauge what’s going on that day, so I avoid them between the hours of 8 and 10am.
What are your main responsibilities?
My 15-year-old niece asked me the exact same question when she came in for work experience the other day! I set the strategy, get the right people in the right role and plan for the future. Outside of that, I do what the business needs me to do. It’s my job to respond to the business challenges and requirements in any way I can.
How would you describe a particular day?
When I’m in the office, a typical day could involve meetings; from internal catch ups with HR and IT to external meetings with clients. If it’s a client meeting, I would usually welcome them with a Manchester office tour. I must have given the same one about 100 times (and probably bored the Manchester office with my stories) but it’s because I’m proud to show others what we do and who is involved.
If I’m on the road, I could be travelling to London and you’ll often see me on the 08:04 from Stockport. I usually aim to get there and back in a day and will use the time travelling to catch up on work.
Friday is gym day. I have a personal trainer and work out before work, so if I’m looking grumpy and tired on a Friday morning, you now know why! Our latest Clarity manifesto, Hearts & Minds, touches on traveller well-being and it’s something I like to build into my schedule, ensuring I have designated times to concentrate on keeping fit and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
My job isn’t the standard 9-5. I try and get home to see my kids before they go to bed and then spend some time checking my emails once they’re settled down for the night. Some might think they can wait, but I like to stay on top of things. I also need to make sure my working day fits in with our clients, overseas. For example, I might have scheduled a meeting with one of our Global Partners in the US and I need to make sure I am available.
What’s the best part of your job?
Hearing from a happy client or seeing the business thrive. It means so much to us all at Clarity to receive good feedback, knowing the hard work we have put in has paid off. We recognise that quite often we share the same focus and ambition as our clients and when we are successful together, it can be very powerful for both of us.