Teams assume multiple roles in a small business. We wear several hats to ensure the seamless management of daily operations and service delivery. Establishing an efficient team becomes paramount, as it safeguards against any oversight and ensures that nothing slips through the cracks.
Last September, we spoke to Pam Cheyne, our Office Manager at Doqaru, about her role and how the culture at Doqaru had evolved. Pam has been an invaluable asset for over four years, serving as the bedrock of our financial operations. Her responsibilities include invoicing, managing expenses and overseeing our P&L. In this month’s interview with Pam, we delved into her career journey to finance, the pivotal role finance plays in fostering growth, and how her role with Doqaru has evolved in tandem with the business.
How did you get into finance roles?
I started as an office junior covering every department of a large company. I loved my time in accounts/finance and quickly found my forte in finance and payroll. From then on, I knew I wanted to do that and achieved my HNC & HND in Accounting and Finance. Since then, I have completed several courses to keep up with my knowledge of the ever-changing corporate finance world.
The biggest lesson of my time in finance is, don’t be afraid of asking the ‘obvious’ questions. This is how you get an understanding of how things work. You will gain influence and confidence with everyone you work with. In turn, they will value your interest in them, and you’ll be seen as a good listener and worker.
What have you found most rewarding about working in finance for a small business like Doqaru?
Working at Doqaru allows me to learn from experienced professionals (Yekemi, Sarah, Derek, and the rest of the team). Also, our accounting partner, Ashton McGill, has been a great help. I’ve had excellent growth opportunities, which I plan on using to support Doqaru’s day-to-day operations and long-term goals to become the best in the business.
How has Doqaru’s approach to managing finance evolved over the last four years, and how have you contributed to these changes?
As I mentioned above, working alongside Ashton McGill has been great. Having that backup to ask questions or get help and advice has been excellent. It’s always good to have a second opinion. I think also having support from Derek Forsyth, our Operations Manager has played an important part, specifically when making sure things run smoothly within finance – from when a project comes in the door to the final invoicing stage and completion.
Doqaru has evolved immensely. Yekemi and Sarah now have the time to do what they are great at without worrying about the business’s financial and operational side. They can put their trust in and rely on a great team to deal with the day-to-day operations. Behind excellent management lies a great team. That’s precisely what Doqaru Limited has.
Based on your experience, which areas of finance need the most attention for a small, growing business?
Cashflow is a big one for me. Forecasting and budgeting are vital components of a small business. These elements provide small businesses with a structured approach to:
- Planning
- Financial control
- Resource allocation
- Decision-making
- Cashflow management
- Performance evaluation
These are elements that help businesses stay proactive, agile, and financially sustainable, ultimately contributing to their overall success.
Maintaining solid relationships with suppliers and clients is crucial for the growth of any business. Communication is vital in building these relationships, as it helps to understand customers, resolve issues, and establish expectations. Effective communication can help small businesses thrive in a constantly changing business environment and earn a reputation as trustworthy partners in their industry.
As a small team, keeping on top of chasing clients for payment and ensuring a company’s payment terms are on point is essential. It is vital to ensure healthy cash flow, efficient operations and growth. Timely payment collection supports the financial stability and sustainability of the business, enabling it to thrive in a competitive market.
Monthly and quarterly reporting and regular meetings with the directors are crucial. They help with performance evaluation, improvement areas, trends, planning and forecasting. Having frequent touchpoints about finance allows the business to understand its financial position. It empowers the management team to make informed decisions for successful growth.
As Doqaru grows, what opportunities do you foresee to impact the future?
As a business, I would love to see Doqaru Limited become the leading sales enablement consultancy and be the best in Scotland, the UK, and worldwide. The company is fantastic at understanding its market through research and sharing insights to help B2B sales teams thrive. On a personal level within the business, I want to expand my current job role to learn more. As we grow and welcome new team members, I want to move up within the company by earning a promotion and, one day, leading a team within Finance/Admin.
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