We strive to address our customers’ individual needs through active engagement and superior support. Mary Raleigh, who has helped resolve subscriber concerns for nearly 11 years, sat down to tell us a little about herself, her interest in photography, and how her career has developed here at BLI.
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The Journey to BLI
“I went to the University of Delaware, where I majored in photography and minored in print making,” Raleigh began. “I wanted to be a teacher but then I enjoyed photography in an 8th grade visual arts class, so my dream job changed to being a photographer or an art teacher.” Before BLI, Raleigh worked as a customer support manager and sales rep for a printing company that made large and small items for store displays, trade show booths, brochures and other printed materials. In June 2005, Raleigh found BLI the old-school way—an ad in the paper—when she wanted a change in her career.
Life at BLI
“There are different ways to support a customer and provide training,” Raleigh said. “Some people prefer recorded sessions or quick tutorials, but I believe that a live training session is the best way to learn and interact. Questions get asked that are unique to that company or a specific selling scenario, which keeps me on my toes. If I don’t have an answer, I will get one and then I’ve just learned something new—education is a continuous process.” She paused before adding, “You can always learn something new. I never realized the depth this industry has until I worked at BLI.
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“I enjoy coming to work because of the people that work here,” she continued. “I enjoy assisting customers and educating them on BLI’s services. The product managers are constantly updating and improving bliQ, so I’m always excited to demonstrate new tools to customers. Sounds geeky, but I hope that enthusiasm comes across to our subscribers.” Raleigh often modifies her training flow both with new material and according to the needs of the customer. “Oftentimes dealers and manufacturers need walkthroughs, even on the basics. I’ll ask questions like ‘What does your team use?’ and then react and build from there.”
Outside BLI
“My family is very important to me,” Raleigh stated happily. She has a son and a daughter (ages 12 and 11, respectively) and spends a lot of her free time with them. “I’m also one of nine kids in my family so I have a lot of nieces and nephews and I try to see them at least a few times a year. Kids grow up way too fast, and time is precious.” Raleigh stays an active mother in her children’s lives as a Cub/Girl Scout leader, softball coach and soccer team parent. And she continues to take photos. “A picture is worth a thousand words, and I like to capture candid moments that are unique to that person.”
Her favorite vacation spot is Hawaii. “It’s paradise,” she said. “The beautiful weather, rain forests, beaches, volcanos, historic Pearl Harbor—and no bugs! I’d like to travel across America with my husband and kids and see some of the national parks, especially the Redwood forest. I haven’t been there since I was 25 and I barely scratched the surface of it.” Raleigh has also been to Disney World three times and noted the excellent customer service provided by the actors who always stay in character and treat each child with kindness.
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If you have any questions or comments for Mary, please send her an email at mary.raleigh@buyerslab.com.
