Introducing: Inside the Team, a content series where we pull back the curtain on the talented individuals who make up our Not selling liquid team. Getting to know them for the brilliant people they are, not just the work they do.
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A master of languages (she speaks 4!) and Marketplaces, Eline joined the team earlier this year bringing a brand new service to Not selling liquid; end-to-end Marketplace Strategy.
You’re one of our newest team members, and have brought a whole new role to our Growth department. How did you end up at Not selling liquid?
Yes, I only started in March but it’s going well so far! It was a bit random, kind of via via, but the simple story is that I saw the LinkedIn vacancy and applied.
Was the fashion element of the agency important to you?
Yes, I was definitely drawn in by the fashion and type of clients. I was doing Marketplace Operations at my previous company – which was also in fashion – but because they were more of a corporate, the microlevel of my role was very specific. And before that I was an account manager, so this role I have now at NSL is a blend of the two.
It’s definitely interesting having this new role in the team and company, but it’s also the most challenging. There’s nothing here, so I can form everything based on my research and initiative. But that also means I have nothing to go from, nothing to refer back to. I’d say the learning curve is pretty steep!
How does it feel to work in a smaller company versus your previous corporate experience?
The scale is insanely different and I’m still getting used to it. Agency life is far more high-paced, but I also find it more energising because of the direct contact with the clients. In a corporate, you feel more anonymous, you don’t see the impact of your work. You know you’re all working toward something, but it feels more removed.
What does a typical workday look like for you?
At the moment, a lot of my work goes to organising my thoughts and figuring out the direction I want this part of our service offer to go. It’s very research-heavy because the scope of topics when it comes to Marketplaces is so big. I’m looking at what project management we need, gathering specific Marketplace requirements, templates, things like that. In the last while, I’ve also been working more closely with clients as well – more meetings, communication, checking numbers, performance optimisation strategy. I’m bouncing ideas off of the Sales team as well, which is good because, as I said, Marketplaces are so huge, you need something to create some sort of guidelines.
It’s exciting though, knowing what we’ll be able to offer our clients, whether they’re brand new to Marketplaces or are already on them. It’ll be end-to-end strategy, from onboarding, to optimisation to advertising.
Your studies have gone down quite some avenues – from marketing, to strategy, to cultural. How do they contribute to your current role?
Well in both my Bachelor’s and Master’s I focused on Business Administration, but I was always more drawn to the creative elements. So the branding, marketing, digital innovation. I’m not “the creative”, but I have a feel for it and like to be surrounded by creative and cultural industries. I’m intrinsically interested in the fashion industry. But it wasn’t like I specifically sought out to be in Marketplaces, it kind of just evolved. I started in Digital Marketing, then got into fashion, had an opportunity arise in the Marketplaces department, but it was a far more specific role. I was in the e-commerce team, in customer service, as a point of contact for Marketplaces. Now this role at NSL is broader and more strategic.
Which Marketplace do you think does a really good job?
As a customer, I really like to use Zalando - it’s so quick and easy and nice. Even if I check the brand website, Zalando more often has an attractive offer such as quicker delivery or free returns. From a business point of view, they can be quite complex to work with because they have strict policies across various parts of the business, but that’s probably why they’re so successful.
It’s going to be interesting to see how this part of our business develops with your lead. But let’s move on from work stuff; you grew up in Austria, but came to Amsterdam for your studies. Why here?
Honestly, it was a bit random, I was 18, I wanted to leave my hometown and Amsterdam seemed fun and international. I didn’t think I’d stay this long (it’s been eight years), but I don’t imagine this is where I’ll stay my whole life. It’s too flat for me for the long term!
Can imagine coming from the mountains it’s quite the scene change – for better or worse.
Yes, and my mum is Norwegian so I’ve spent pretty much every summer of my life in that setting so I really miss mountains, snow, nature, being outside, skiing! I still spend my summers in Norway so I soak it all up as much as I can when I’m there. Amsterdam is great for my career opportunity wise, the work life balance is also good. Austria is more traditional, but let’s see how it all plays out.
We have to admit that we did a bit of LinkedIn stalking for the purposes of this interview and saw that your thesis was focused on “movie consumption preferences and availability of distribution channels for newly released movies” – does that mean you’re a bit of a film buff?
I’m not a crazy movie buff, but I love the creative world. I love working on or being interested in things that bring people joy, that aren’t a necessity for living but an expression of self. So that’s things like film, fashion, music, pleasure over utility. I think it’s nice to just enjoy.
What was the last film you watched?
Four Weddings and a Funeral, it was raining outside and you can’t beat a rom-com classic on a rainy day. I love the concept of “hygge”, creating a vibe, being cosy, surrounding yourself with things you enjoy.
Is there a spot in the city that has that vibe?
Mmm… off the top of my head I’d say I go to Kosta (end of Overtoom) the most because it has a big terrace and sun right up until the last moment. And you have to appreciate sun in this city!
