Groupon Employee Spotlight:
Anthony Iglesias Bortolotti

Meet Anthony, the energetic Sales Manager at Groupon's Valencia office 🌞 Originally from France, Anthony moved to Valencia in 2018 and joined Groupon a year later. He quickly rose through the ranks and now leads the Merchant Consultants Team for France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Known for his charisma and unique management style, Anthony sees his team as an orchestra, ensuring everyone hits the right notes 🎶
Passionate about growth and innovation, he perfectly embodies Groupon's values and spirit. 

Tell us a bit about yourself and your role at Groupon. 

Hello there! I’m Anthony from the Valencia, Spain office. I've been living in Valencia since 2018, but I was born and raised in France. I am a Sales Manager for the Merchant Consultants Team FR|BE|NL, based in Valencia. The Merchant Consultants are unique sales representatives, combining the roles of a Sales Rep (MD) and a Merchant Operations Agent.

How did you get started in your career, and what brought you to  Groupon?

I joined the Valencia office project in April 2019, marking the beginning of my career at Groupon. Before this, I worked as a Sales & Project Manager in the Pharmaceutical industry in Barcelona and was eager to return to Valencia. Joining Groupon was a fantastic opportunity to come back to Valencia and work for a company with strong values and promising career growth. I started as a Merchant Services Representative (now called Merchant Operations) and quickly moved up to a Sales Representative role. After three months, I began managing the French and Spanish Merchant Consultants at the start of the pandemic.

What's the most exciting thing happening in your department right now?

Since January 2024, we've implemented a new target system for the Merchant Consultants' teams. This has been a challenging shift for our DNA and sales strategy, both for managers and sales representatives. However, it has also provided a great opportunity to align our services with other sales teams and company goals. 

Describe your team in three words.

Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve (& Talent). 

What's a fun or interesting way your team collaborates or bonds together?

I see a team as an orchestra, where everyone has their place and moment to shine in perfect harmony. Each person knows how they can positively impact the team, and it's the manager's job to ensure everything comes together like a perfect melody. 

What's the best piece of advice you've received from a colleague at Groupon?

"Focus on what is within your control, what you can influence, and know when to let go of things outside of your control." Thank you, Oscar Orenes Torroglosa, for introducing me to the “Circle of Influence” tool!

Share a memorable moment, project or event from your time at Groupon.

I'll always treasure the memories of those initial interviews when rebuilding my team. The opportunity to handpick team members, nurture their talents, and discover the perfect fit to complement existing skills and meet business needs is truly exhilarating. My hope is that every manager can experience this transformative moment and revel in the invaluable lessons it brings.

Which of Groupon's values do you feel most in tune with, and why?

From the beginning, I've believed in taking ownership and delivering high performance as if the business were my own. I strive to surpass my previous achievements every day and instill this mindset in my team. Every day is an opportunity to be better than yesterday, aiming for a better tomorrow. 

Can you share any tips for staying productive and motivated?

Your experience at Groupon will vary based on your team, perception, and the people around you. Your work relationships with your direct reports, stakeholders, and your daily tasks will differ. Enjoy the journey, time flies, and there's so much to learn from others. Groupon is what we make it, so keep that in mind. I love a quote from RuPaul that illustrates this: "With all the darkness that’s going on in the world, you can look at the darkness — don’t stare. It will make you crazy. It will make you cross-eyed. It will make you what it is. The solution is to create magic, dance, sing, love, and create environments where you can find joy, because you can create joy."

How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance?

It's crucial to appreciate each aspect of your life with the right focus and effort, including your personal life. Valuing the time dedicated to each area ensures a healthy balance. To achieve this, no aspect should dominate the others. Embrace and enjoy every part of your life. I recommend using a coaching tool called “The Wheel of Life” to help with this. 

What is one non-work activity or hobby that you're into? 

Outside of work, I find solace and rejuvenation in sports. Whether it's hitting the gym or swimming laps in the pool, I dedicate around 12 hours each week to staying active and healthy. 

What’s one thing about you that surprises people?

People often find it surprising, but I like to think of my personality as a humble blend of intellectual curiosity and a touch of charm— a perfect balance reminiscent of characters like Sheldon Cooper and Ally McBeal.

What was the first Groupon that you even bought, or experienced?

My introduction to Groupon was quite memorable—it was back in 2018 when I attended a circus event in Barcelona. Little did I know at the time that just a few months later, I would join the Groupon team. 

Rapid and Fire Questions

If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only have three items, what would they be?

My fan, a mosquito repellent, and a hunter knife. “What do we say to the God of Death? Not Today”. 

If you could have any fictional character as your best friend, who would it be?

Solas from Dragon Age Inquisition, the video game. He is an elf characterized by thoughtfulness, mystique, and profound knowledge. He eschews black-and-white moralities, opting instead for a nuanced understanding of the world, attuned to its intricacies, history, and the ebb and flow of time and seasons. 

What's the most embarrassing song on your playlist that you secretly love?

“La gata bajo la lluvia” de Rocio Durcal, drama pure song ever. 

If you could only eat one cuisine for the rest of your life, what would it be?

I love potatoes. They make me happy in every form. Life is all about potatoes. Want to make me happy? Just give me potatoes.

What was the last book you read?

“Triangular Theory of Love” by Robert J. Sternberg. 📚

If you could time travel to any era, past or future, where would you go?

The Ancient World, to see the seven wonders through my eyes. 

What's the most unusual talent or skill you have?

My superpower is falling asleep in less than a minute. I'm the kind of person who can sleep within the first few seconds of a movie. 

If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?

Cleopatra: Will reality live up to the fiction? 

What's your guilty pleasure when it comes to TV shows or movies?

I'm spending countless hours watching anime. 

And finally, what was the last Groupon you bought?

1 month ago, I bought a voucher for a Medical-psycho technical certificate to exchange my French driving license for a Spanish one.