Suzanne Saunders says her son Dominique is her driving force and inspiration, especially during downtimes. - Norman Grindley/Acting Photography Editor

With great poise and a welcoming smile, Suzanne Saunders invited the Flair team into her little 'home away from home'. Her office presents a relaxing atmosphere.

As the regional enterprise accounts manager of the telecommunications company, Landline Internet Mobile and Entertainment (LIME), she spends most of her time at the office, trying to tackle her huge responsibilities.

Saunders has been with the company for about three years, and has experienced changes over the years, including the recent rebranding of the former Cable & Wireless to LIME, in which she played an integral role.

Excited about this change, she still feels some pressure to satisfy. "Pressure comes from the desire to please customers. I know we can't please everyone, but still our customers are extremely important. Remember, today you might be good, but that it is not guaranteed to be the same tomorrow," she said.

Competition

Recognising the competition and challenges, the articulate manager expresses optimism. "LIME is going to do well. We have a fresh approach to things and, more than ever, it is certainly not about us, it is about our customers."

Saunders noted that her years in telecommunications have been rewarding. And while there can be challenges, she is blessed to have gained all she has from the company.

Though her job takes up most of her time, the modest 41-year-old says her son has helped to keep her grounded, especially on her 'down days'. For this she credits him as an inspiration.

"He is at pre-university now and he really drives me to continue. He is my life and I want to be able to give him a proper head-start in life. I hear him saying he wants to study in the United States," she said, chuckling.

Almost a year since separating from her husband, Saunders says she is intent on giving her only child as much as she can. With a career as hectic as hers, she still balances her work life with her relatively new single-parent role.

"In the evenings when I get home from work, I spend some time talking with him and on Saturdays we watch movies together." She continued, "There isn't a lot that I do that he likes and you know on our movie nights, we can't go beyond a certain time because it is party time for him," she said, much to her own amusement.

Music lover

A past student of Holy Childhood High, Saunders is quite the music lover and appreciates a mixture of music genres. "I love music, I will listen Italian singers such as Andrea Bocelli to reggae/dancehall artistes like Shaggy and Beenie Man. She starts her day with music - praise and worship style. "I listen to my iPod to get me in a certain mood, a mood which doesn't allow anyone to get me down."

Additionally, she gets rejuvenated when she kick-starts her mornings with another hobby. "I wake up at 4:30 in the mornings to jog about four miles at Emancipation Park. I don't have much spare time, but I like running; I even want to attempt the Miami Marathon next year. I don't think I will be ready for the Reggae Marathon," she said smiling.

Having recently completed a BSc degree in business and marketing, Saunders has no qualms about re-entering the world of study. "Now that I am finished with my degree, I want to do something in language; of course, I will eventually do an MBA."

Serving as the regional enterprise accounts manager, Saunders says at no point in her life did she envision herself in that field. "I always wanted to do sales and marketing, which I have done for most of my working years and never did I see myself doing this." However, she says her journey at the telecommunications organisation has been a rewarding experience.

Core responsibility

With the core responsibility of managing five of LIME's largest revenue earners and managing the company's international account portfolio, Saunders continues to positively and enthusiastically embrace her work in the rebranded company.

"Many people don't like the colour black associated with LIME. But black represents a clean slate, just like when you first go to school and you see a clean blackboard. This clean slate is a clean background, which allows for creativity. It also represents the coming together of the Caribbean community. Black is bold!"

latoya.grindley@gleanerjm.com