Staff Spotlight: Ashley Smith

Ashley Smith is Terra Firma’s Client Relationship Executive based in our Melbourne office. He shares some insight into what it is like to work with TF for 11+ years and work his way up from consultant to integral part of the leadership team.

What did you do before starting with Terra Firma?

When I was 18, I took up at a traineeship at a small finance company where I worked in Marketing. I worked my way through marketing and got into data and analytics. From there, I moved into IT and then into Business Analysis, Project Management IT Management and Account Management

When did you start at Terra Firma and why did you decide to join?

I started in 2011, so I have been working at Terra Firma for around 11 years now. I chose Terra Firma because I was looking for an opportunity to grow and diversify my skillset. I wanted to join a company where I wouldn’t just be a number, where the work that I was doing had meaning.

Terra Firma seemed like a company where I could go and display my different skills, but also learn both on the job through informal and formal training.

How would you describe your journey over those 11 years?

It has been like a rocket – onwards and upwards. Working somewhere for 11 years is a long time, especially nowadays. I guess you could say it was all a dream.

I started off as a consultant and worked at various client sites. I worked at Telstra, the Department of Justice, Sensis, and was given a variety of different opportunities within Terra Firma as well. I worked on some practice development work and as an Engagement and Team Lead. Six years ago, I moved into the account management and client relationship side part of our business.

Has there been any engagements that have stood out to you in your time at Terra Firma?

There’s been a couple. I was made a Process/Program Lead at Telstra, and we worked with them on some transition and transformation programs for their customers. At the time, it was the largest telecommunications deal in Australia, so it was an exciting fast paced project.

I worked for a couple of years at a government client where I got to design all the requirements for a tender procurement process for clothing, which was very interesting. Since I’ve joined the industry team, I’ve also taken over the management of the technology team which has been really rewarding.

Every role I’ve been in has brought different rewarding experiences. That is one of the best things about working for Terra Firma.

What is your favourite part about your current role?

The people are what I enjoy the most. I love being able to talk and interact with people. Working with our consultants and being able to deliver a great outcome for our clients is why I do it. I really enjoy working with our clients and I really enjoy working with our people.

We’ve got a great bunch of people at Terra Firma and I know we get looked after. The directors – Chris and Nick – are always involved. They are very supportive of everything the leadership team does, and they both have been a great support to me personally as well.

What advice would you give a junior consultant?

Say yes to everything. Say yes to the opportunities that are provided to you. Say yes to taking minutes at a steering committee meeting. Say yes to taking a leadership role within a meeting. Say yes to taking on an additional project. No matter how big or small the job is, just say yes.

It will all pay off in the end. Don’t hold back and be your best.?