A woman dressed as the Statue of Liberty

At liberty to share

My Sofology adventure

From customer care to the big apple!

By Carol Dyson

I've been with Sofology for over 3 years now, and I absolutely love connecting with customers and finding solutions to help them create amazing experiences. I've always had a solution-driven mindset, focused on finding the best possible outcome for everyone. Sofology has always encouraged me to think outside the box and come up with new ideas, which is something I really appreciate. Being a sociable person, I naturally gravitated towards Customer Care, where I thrive on working together with people. Now, as part of the Regulatory Complaints team, I get to use those skills to navigate unique situations where we need to think outside the box to find the perfect fit. After all, sofas, doors, hallways, and homes come in all shapes and sizes, and there's no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution! It's definitely challenging, but also incredibly rewarding!

Two images in frames of a woman dressed as the Statue of Liberty

Listening and learning

Working in Customer Care, I spend a lot of time connecting with customers, listening to feedback, and helping them overcome challenges. It's made me realise how important open communication and collaboration are for finding the best solutions. At Sofology, we're lucky to have a great culture that values these things, with initiatives like "On the Sofa with," where our leaders sit down with colleagues in an open forum and share updates about the business. It's a chance for Sofologists to connect with our leaders, ask questions, and share ideas in a relaxed and informal setting. It's inspiring to see how Sofology creates opportunities for colleagues to share their thoughts and contribute to the company's success. This inspired me to participate in a company competition asking for colleagues' thoughts and ideas to improve our customer offering.

The "red carpet" experience

When it came to thinking up my idea, I decided to tap into one of our values for inspiration: "Roll out the red carpet." A lot of my work in Regulatory Complaints involves helping customers who have had issues with furniture fitting in their homes. So, my idea was to offer a bespoke "red carpet" experience to customers, including a personal home visit for a small fee. This personalised service would go above and beyond to understand the customer's needs and ensure their furniture fits perfectly, preventing potential issues and ultimately, enhancing their overall Sofology experience.

An image in a frame of a woman in New York

Thelma and Louise take New York

I'll never forget the moment I found out I'd won. Never in my life have I been speechless, but when the Senior Leadership Team entered the office with "New York, New York" playing in the background and all wearing Statue of Liberty head dresses, I had no words! When it finally sank in that I had won a trip to New York City - there's even a video of me jumping up and down in disbelief. It was a dream come true, and I couldn't wait to share this incredible adventure with my colleague Alison.
We were like real-life Thelma and Louise in New York, exploring all the iconic landmarks and soaking up the city's vibrant atmosphere. This experience not only rewarded my idea but also showed me how much Sofology values personal and professional growth, encouraging us to step outside our comfort zones.

Memorable moments

Fast forward a few months, and I found myself in the Big Apple! My New York adventure was filled with unforgettable moments. I felt like I was on the big screen throughout, seeing all the famous landmarks I'd only seen on TV and in films. Seeing Boy George perform on Broadway was a dream come true for this 80s music fan! And of course, visiting Ground Zero was a moving experience, prompting reflection on a pivotal moment in history.

We're all ears

In all honesty, I never in a million years expected that my idea would result in such an amazing experience, one that would take me over 3,000 miles across the world! It's been incredible to see how Sofology truly values the voices of its colleagues. It's not just about listening; it's about exploring and considering those ideas for the future. Sometimes, ideas might not be immediately implemented, but that doesn't mean they're not valued.

This whole experience has shown me how much Sofology encourages us to share our thoughts and ideas. It's a company that understands the power of collaboration and the incredible things that can happen when people feel empowered. It's a company that truly believes in the power of its people and invests in their development.

It was such an incredible feeling to know that my voice was heard and that my ideas were valued. It made me feel like I was truly part of the Sofology team.

My advice? Don't be afraid to share your ideas and feedback! Talk to your managers, senior leaders, anyone who will listen. We have valuable insights that can help shape Sofology's future.

Join the journey

If you're looking for a company that truly listens and values contributions, Sofology is the place to be! We're all ears, and we're always looking for new ways to improve. Who knows, your next brilliant idea might just take you on an adventure of a lifetime, just like it did for me! It's a company that truly cares, and I'm incredibly proud to be a part of it.

Carol's top 3 must-do's in New York city

An image in a frame of a woman in New York, with skyscrapers behind her

An image in a frame of New York skyscrapers

An image in a frame of a woman in the Rockefeller Center looking at the New York City skyline.

Embrace the moments that matter

At Sofology, we believe life’s most treasured moments deserve to be celebrated and remembered. Whether it’s marking a milestone birthday, welcoming a new pet into your family, or taking a week off to enjoy your wedding celebrations, we want you to make memories that last a lifetime. With our ‘Moments that Matter’ benefits - like grandparent leave, pawternity leave, wedding leave, and more - you’ll have the time and support to fully embrace life’s special moments.