Employee Spotlight: Nicole Fabris, Senior Marketing Operations Manager

How did you get started in marketing? 

I started working in marketing over 20 years ago. I am fortunate that I worked for organizations that recognized the value of data and technology, including customer, marketing and sales metrics, CRM, and attribution tools. ‘Operations’ as it relates to marketing, was not a distinct function when I began my career, so I am lucky to have watched this function transform into what it is today. 

Could you tell us about your role at Acceldata? Which companies did you work for, before Acceldata?

My responsibility at Acceldata has been to oversee the marketing operations function. I would say that it is both a qualitative and quantitative role. At Acceldata, my work includes marketing analysis, campaign planning, research, conversion tracking, ROI Analysis, and data analytics. I have worked with companies such as Feedback Loop, as a Revenue Operations Manager. With Sterling Talent Solutions, as Manager - Operations and Data Strategy, Astoria Bank (acquired by Sterling Bank, and now Webster Bank), as Manager - Marketing Information & Insights, and last but not the least with Travers Tool as a Senior Manager, before joining Acceldata.

What do you feel about our company culture?

I appreciate the company culture of Acceldata. It is adaptive, dynamic and  transparent. Acceldata  embraces  employees  from diverse backgrounds and experiences, which is important to me. I firmly believe that organizations valuing different perspectives offer exciting products, services and solutions to their customers. I believe Acceldata credits my skill set, provides me with the tools I need, and entrusts me to do my best work.  

What is your team like?

I am lucky to work with intelligent and cooperative colleagues who focus on goals and results, while solving problems. There is open communication with my team, even though we work in different time zones. There’s no ego, everyone works in unison, and is willing to pitch in to tackle anything, and get the job done without bias. We have a healthy mix of creative, innovative, and analytical members of the team, plus we know how to have fun while getting our work done.  

What are some of the things you’ve perceived about our leadership team? 

What I have observed is that the leadership team is very collaborative, communicative, and each individual's goals are well-defined. Such clarity helps us to stay focused in achieving the objectives of the company as well as for one’s own success.

What has been your most significant contribution on our team?

It is my ability to successfully answer questions from the team using the tools we have.  For example, with many prospect emails, I can quickly find the results based on how I set-up these tools, to receive the data from our various marketing programs. My previous experiences help me to foresee the ‘typical’ questions someone in my role can be required to resolve. This saves me time and allows me to identify the relevant questions swiftly and more accurately. Although it is not possible to foresee all the questions that I might have to answer, setting-up these repeatable processes and procedures gives me the time I need to focus on other aspects of my job areas.   

What motivates you to work for a data analytics company?

I have worked in a variety of industries throughout my career including financial services, media, research, and now, data analytics.  While these are different industries, I have always worked in a role with a dependance on data for decision making.  I began my career analyzing various programs, campaigns, and reporting processes for a major newspaper. I quickly learned, and enjoyed working with data because it delivers definitive answers. Moreover, working with varying data sets (sometimes complex and at times seemingly disparate) allowed me to offer recommendations based on fact and guide organizations to become more agile.  

What tool or resource is necessary for a sophisticated marketing operations team?

I have been using Salesforce, it has helped me extensively, because it enables me to customize the applications within the tool as per my need. For instance, if I have to transfer files at a certain time to another person, I can do that adeptly.

What’s the most unique part about working at Acceldata?

I believe what makes working at Acceldata unique is our common mission. In fact if any employee was asked why the company exists, most, if not all employees, would answer the question in the same way. This means that all employees would most likely say that Acceldata provides its customers with data observability in order to build and operate successful data tools. In many organizations asking this “why” question can generate different and conflicting answers, but I believe the answers at Acceldata would be consistent.

What is the best career lesson you’ve learned so far? 

This can be viewed as advice - find something you enjoy doing while being  passionate about working toward it each day. We spend so much time working, or at work, or thinking about work - so why choose something you detest? 

The other thing I learned is that being humble is not a weakness but a strength. Being able to laugh at yourself, share an unconventional idea or admit you're wrong makes it so much easier for people to relate to you. This also helps to make your work environment energized and fun.

‍What would you do for a career if you weren’t doing this?

I would be a lawyer.

What’s a fun fact about you many people may not know?

I have a black belt in Jeet Kune Do, it took me nearly six years to achieve it. There were quite a few times it would have been easier to just quit, but I somehow managed to keep showing up to train. It taught me so many things about myself, including how you just have to sometimes get out of your comfort zone. 

Where’s your favorite place in the world?

Among the places I have visited, Dubrovnik, in Croatia, has been my most favorite. It is a surreal place with breathtaking views and delicious food, and it also has an authentic walled “Old Town”.

My other favorite place is New York City, which holds a special place in my heart, because it has always been my home. I am unsure if I will ever leave this place.

What is your motto or personal mantra?

Firstly, in regard to my outlook on life - All things are difficult before they are easy. And, the second one is the importance of being self disciplined. It is better to remain silent and be thought stupid than to speak and to remove all doubt. 

If you could meet anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be?

I have been asked this question a few times before also, and my answer has always been Princess Diana. And, my answer has nothing to do with the timing of other current events.                                              

I always admired how well she carried herself, even when it might not have been the  easy thing to do.  I also look up to all the work she did for various charities and missions. I also liked her strong fashion sense and style while maintaining a level of relatable charm. We should remember and try to practice Princess Diana's lessons on living – to show kindness, to love unconditionally, and to live with dignity and grace.  This is one of her famous quotes, which is one of my favorites too - “I think at the end of your life there are three things that count - how much you cared, how gently you touched people’s lives, and how long you spent your time on earth doing things that make you happy.”  

What is your favorite TV show/movie ?

My favorite TV series is The Game of Thrones

What is the one item you’ve learned in the previous month, whether connected to your industry or not?

Not related to my job or this industry at all! I recently vacationed on the Caribbean Island of Antigua, in the West Indies. I discovered that the Caribbean Islands were named the ‘West Indies’ by Christopher Columbus, deliberating he had actually entered India traveling west from Spain.

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