Groupon Employee Spotlight:
Chloe Darke

Meet Chloe, our Senior Account Manager in Groupon Travel Sales Team based in London. With six years at Groupon, Chloe shares her journey, top strategies for success, and how she balances work and life. Her insights on building strong client relationships and adapting to change are truly inspiring.

"Congratulations on being named Employee of the Month! This recognition is a testament to your hard work and dedication. Thank you for always putting your best foot forward and truly bleeding green. You're a Groupon Star!"
- Sarah Veitch, Senior Travel Sales Manager and Chloe's line Manager. 

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

I have been with Groupon 6 years this year and I work within the Travel team as a Senior Account Manager mainly covering the Irish market and I recently have taken over Crazy Bear (it's our top international account, a very unique hotel popular with many customers). I moved across to this role from Recruitment and certainly made the right move! 

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

When I was 17 I started working for a Yacht Charter company (Sunsail!) and only moved on from there due to the re-location of the office but soon found my way back into the travel market when I applied for a job at Groupon and the rest was history! I have always had a passion for Travel and wanted to get back into a job that really ticked those boxes. 

In your opinion, what are the key elements necessary for individuals and teams to excel and achieve high performance in a dynamic environment like Groupon?

You need to be driven and not afraid of rejection! That would be the key point I would advise, everyone gets rejection and don't let that stop you from hustling. You need to be honest with yourself and remember people buy from people, so just be yourself and keep organised and on top of all your leads!  

What strategies or approaches do you employ to consistently deliver exceptional results in your work? 

• Staying Organised: Using Salesforce and Trellos to keep track of leads, follow-ups, and client interactions helps me stay on top of my game and take advantage of every opportunity.

• Building Relationships: I prioritise getting to know my clients and understanding their needs, ensuring I'm offering tailored solutions that truly benefit them.

• Continuous Learning: I stay updated on industry trends, product knowledge, and sales techniques to provide my clients the best advice and solutions.

• Setting Clear Goals: I set realistic yet challenging targets and create a clear action plan to achieve them, regularly tracking my progress and adjusting as needed.

• Customer Focus: I always put the customer first, ensuring their satisfaction and building long-term loyalty through exceptional service and follow-up. 

These strategies help me not just meet, but exceed my sales KPI/ targets consistently where I can prevent as we do know some things are completely out of our control! 

How do you balance the pursuit of high performance with maintaining a healthy work-life balance?

I keep myself very organised and disciplined during my work hours, which means I can then switch off when I am not at work and can enjoy my time with my family and friends. I work towards set KPI and always forward plan for the following week so I know what I am walking into on a Monday, I use Trello to keep track of my lengthy ‘To do’ list and always am one step ahead so I won't fall behind and always make sure I achieve my daily goals so I feel satisfied for the next day. 

Can you describe a time when you faced a significant challenge or setback in achieving your goals, and how you overcame it to deliver successful outcomes? 

This is a very honest answer and very overall, I always face challenges or setbacks when achieving goals as we all know not every day is the same and things can be out of our control, .i.e we think we have an excellent deal coming in, we do everything we can to get that over the line, contract out. We push, keep the relationship going with the GM, keep pushing and a few weeks goes by when we then get that ‘dreaded message’ such as "Sorry I have spoken with my director and they just cant sign this off due to one reason or another" and no matter how much you push back the answer is no. A bit of advice, pick yourself up and keep going, never give up. As long as I have covered all angles and done everything I possibly can to prevent and not feel I didn't give my all then I am ready to go for the next big account that's EVEN bigger. This is on account/deal level but when it comes to KPI, you have to put the input in to get the output, don't be afraid to push, hound and remember those 8 touches! 

As Groupon undergoes transformational changes, how do you adapt your approach to ensure continued success and contribute to the company's growth objectives?

Change is good! But it's important to keep on top of the changes and always have an open mind where this is concerned. Below are a few pointers again of how I take this on board and work with the changes.

• Embrace Change: I stay informed about the latest company strategies and market trends, allowing me to pivot quickly and align my efforts with Groupon’s goals.

• Innovative Thinking: I continually seek out and implement new sales techniques and marketing strategies that resonate with our current market dynamics, ensuring I stay ahead of the curve and don't fall behind! If I do feel a little drowned because let's face it we're all human, I ask for help and support!

• Customer-Centric Focus: By keeping the customer at the heart of everything I do, I ensure that our offerings meet their needs and enhance their experiences, driving loyalty and long-term growth.

By staying adaptable and forward-thinking, I contribute to Groupon’s success and growth objectives during this period of transformation.

How do you inspire and motivate your colleagues to embrace a mindset of continuous improvement and excellence in their work?

In the Travel team, we create a warm and friendly place where everyone feels important and supported. We celebrate successes and learn from our mistakes together. To inspire my colleagues, I lead by showing a dedication to getting better and doing great work. As a team, we talk openly, give helpful feedback, and recognise achievements. I like to think I build a positive and energetic environment where everyone wants to do their best. 

Rapid and Fire Questions

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

I think it has to be a ‘Luxury Faux Mink Throw’ I was buying a house at the time so definitely put the goods to the test back in 2016 as I bought a fair few things!

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

Just your typical girl here! I love shopping, catching up with friends and family, and playing mum to my amazing little boy Jude! I try to go the gym, but life often gets in the way—though I manage to squeeze in a class here and there. I have a knack for spending money, especially now as my husband and I are knee-deep in renovating our house! It's a busy but exciting time for us!

What’s one thing about you that surprises people?

Ohhh I always find these questions so hard, I don't know … sorry to be a bore!

If you could swap lives with any fictional character for a day, who would you choose and why?

It would have to be Wonder Woman, Why not?! I would love to be her for a day I'd love to experience her amazing strength, agility, and combat skills. It would be thrilling to have superpowers and save lives. Plus, her sense of justice and compassion is super inspiring. 

What's the most adventurous thing you've ever done, and would you do it again?

Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia was amazing! I would do it again in a heartbeat.  

If you could have a dinner party with any historical figure, dead or alive, who would you invite and what would you all talk about? 

The Queen! Just to meet her, sit and chat and see life from her eyes as royalty. Id be interested to hear all about how their life was and how she saw the country through her eyes! 

If you could instantly master any skill or talent, what would it be and why?

For me! If I could instantly master any skill or talent, it would be the ability to speak multiple languages fluently. This would open up so many opportunities to connect with people from different cultures, travel with ease, and expand my personal and professional horizons. Plus, being able to communicate in various languages would be incredibly enriching and rewarding.

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

I think it's going to have to be Westlife, Home 🎙️ 🎵

And finally, what was the last Groupon you bought? 

Keeping up with our recent home renovation trend, I treated us to some new bedding! And not just any bedding—it's really nice! 😊 Some may say thats boring but I am showing my age now!! I get excited about bedding!