Our YouDrive telematics product launched just over 12 months ago. As the team continue to test and learn to further refine the offering for our customers, Product Manager Dan and Senior Operations Manager Shelley explain why their team is a great place to be.
Tell us about the career path that led you to Hastings Direct
Dan: Before Hastings, I held a number of Product Management positions within a global medical device manufacturer. I then took 12 months out to complete a master’s degree in management which had always been a goal of mine, before applying to join the telematics team at Hastings. I was attracted to the company and role because of the collaborative and customer focused culture.
Shelley: I previously worked for companies within the Telecommunications sector and these roles gave me the opportunity to support the delivery of great products and services, whilst ensuring our customers experienced excellence. I came to Hastings Direct as I really liked the focus on telematics products and Hastings’ desire to support customers with excellent service and, wherever possible, through a digital experience.
What’s going on in your world?
Dan: Working within the telematics team at Hastings Direct is an exciting place to be as we effectively operate as our own business unit. It means the right decisions are made and we can respond to customer and company needs quickly. As our YouDrive telematics product launched just over 12 months ago, we’re still learning and making enhancements through a test and learn approach – within a short period of time, we get to see real changes taking place. For example, we successfully launched a new product using a mobile app which customers download to their smartphone to share driving data with us. We have made a number of enhancements since its launch, varying from small changes to delivering new functionality. The new roles available in our team are a product of the success of our telematics function and Hastings Direct as a company – we aspire for more and are looking for colleagues to join us as we continue to move forward at pace.
How do your teams work together to bring the YouDrive vision and strategy to life?
Shelley: Our Operations and Product teams work very closely together to ensure that we deliver both fair outcomes for our customers and achieve our ambitions to support a growing part of the business. Regular meetings have been set up to discuss opportunities and challenges, so that we can determine the best way forward. These sessions also help ensure that we have a good understanding of the business as a whole, not just our respective areas. This allows the intricacies of the situation to be drawn out at the start of a project to help deliver a solution that works in the interests of everyone. Outside of the formal meetings, Dan and I will often grab a coffee virtually (or in-person when the situation allows!) which gives time for some more blue sky thinking.
Dan: Working closely with Shelley and the rest team has allowed us to create a cycle of continuous improvement. As the Operations team are close to the customer, we make sure they are serviced appropriately and problems can be resolved quickly. It also provides the Product team with the opportunity to test new ideas, such as changes to our communication approach, before rolling things out more broadly. These working relationships have enabled us to focus the skills and talent in both our teams and effectively demonstrate where we need to allocate our time to realise benefits from the actions we have collaboratively taken.
Why is it a great time for new colleagues to join Hastings Direct?
Shelley: It’s a great time to join us as there’s a large amount of investment across all parts of company to ensure that projects are delivered successfully. Hastings’ focus on being the best and biggest digital insurance provider means that there are opportunities to work with innovative and emerging technologies.
Dan: You’ll also be working with dedicated individuals – it is a really good place to be. Hastings provides a very welcoming and supportive environment that’s full of individuals who want to make a success of things. The rate of positive change means there’s always something exciting happening. We have fun, we look after each other and in times such as this, that’s so important.
Join us: If you’d like to continue your career in a supportive, dynamic and digitally-focused company, find out about available opportunities. In our telematics team with Dan and Shelley, these include Fraud Operations Lead, Product Executive and Commercial Data Analyst.