How to Boss it Like… Ravleen Beeston, UK Head of Sales at Bing

There are a handful of business leaders and industry figures in Britain who are changing the world.

From Annette King to Federico Bolza and Tracy De Groose, these smart people seem to get an incredible amount done, in an impossibly short space of time.

This morning we’re talking to Ravleen Beeston, UK Head of Sales at Bing, who is undoubtedly a productivity guru.

What time do you get up, and what part of your morning routine sets you up for the day?

If I have time for a 30 minute run, I’ll get up at 6am, check my BBC News app to see if there’s any important news and head out. If I don’t go for a run, I’ll wake up at 6.45am to give myself a lie-in.

It’s then time to get my son ready for nursery. Despite being task orientated, it’s one my favourite moments in the day. I leave a lot of time for this so we can have fun and make the most of our time together – it puts me in a good mood for the day.

My 50 minute tube journey into our office in Paddington is my thinking time before the day starts. I read through emails and check my calendar, so I’m ready to hit the ground running as soon as I step foot in the office. My day is often back to back, so I like to know where and how I can support my team that day. If I have time I’ll read the Economist – there are always thought provoking articles in there

What apps do you use to be more productive?

OneNote is my life as it syncs to all my devices and I can manage everything on there in one go.

I also share some apps with my husband. Our Ocado app helps us to ensure there’s always food in the house, and my Outlook email app displays our shared calendar. It helps us keep up with each other’s lives and manage pick up and drop off of our son.

I would also say Silvina, my PA. She makes me more productive and I am reliant on her to stay organised.

What smartphone do you have?

I have a Black Microsoft Lumia 950.

How many people, outside of family, do you meet in a day?

It ranges day by day. Sometimes I will meet with agency clients, direct brand clients, or I’ll be spending time with industry people.

For example I am on the board of the IAB so attend meetings there frequently. I am always spending time in one to ones with my management team and checking in with the broader team to get a sense of how everyone is feeling

And then of course, I’ll meet my son’s nursery teachers.

What book have you read, either recently or in the past, that has inspired you?

“Playing Big” by Tara Mohr. The book explores the concept of recognising and managing the “inner critic” which, particularly for women, can hold us back in our careers. It also talks about nurturing the “inner mentor”.

It has really helped me tackle those big, bold and often scary opportunities in a different way.

What advice would you give for people who are eager to get into your industry?

Firstly, live and breathe technology. Use all the new, dynamic technology you can get your hands on. Take the time to understand how it interacts with its audience and therefore its relevance in the marketing industry.

Secondly, make sure you like working with people. Inherently, this industry is about understanding other humans, whether that’s consumers or your clients, you have to like being around people.

Thirdly, always be ready for change. The requirement for adaptability sets us apart from other industries. It’s fast paced. You have to be dynamic and look forward. Be innovative, and ready for change at any moment, there’s no time to be complacent.

When do you work until? Are you still sending emails in the night? Or do you have a wind down routine?

My ethos towards work is that there is no real stop and start. I do what’s important and although that might mean sending a few emails after I’ve put my son to bed, I don’t see it as dropping life for work or vice versa – it’s just blending. I am however conscious not to impose this on others and don’t expect a response when emailing late.

Flexible working is about creating inclusive environments and it’s important to remember that being a parent isn’t the only reason that people might need to work flexible times

I’m proud to work for a company that rallies a work / life balance and this works well for the next generation of workers who are focused on results, not the number of hours they work. Happier people are more productive – especially when trusted to work at times when they need to.

Come back next Thursday for our next #BossItLike interview, and get in touch if you know a leader who’s also a productivity guru for us to talk to.