In this edition of Bright Lights, we introduce another key PeopleFluent team member: Senior Product Adoption Manager, Shannon Mechura. When she’s not at work, Shannon loves traveling the country to visit family. Let’s get to know her better!

So, Shannon, what’s your role at PeopleFluent? How long have you been working here?

My role is Senior Product Adoption Manager. I specialize in PeopleFluent Compensation. I work with prospective and current customers to help them streamline and automate their compensation planning processes with our compensation solution. Part of my job is also to ensure our clients get the most out of our products.

I’ll celebrate my tenth anniversary with PeopleFluent in December 2022. In the last decade, I’ve worked as a professional services consultant, a senior consultant, and a principal consultant prior to becoming a product adoption manager.

What did you do for work before joining PeopleFluent?

My background is actually in accounting. I was a controller for a small property management company for a while. In my last role before PeopleFluent, I was implementing accounting and property management software, as well as training internal teams on how to use the new tools. That’s when I realized where my passions truly lie. I joined PeopleFluent not long after.

How would you describe your team dynamic?

We’re all very customer focused, and everyone demonstrates expertise in their respective specializations. The team is proactive, self-motivated, and independent, but we easily come together to tackle projects or back each other up as needed.

READ MORE | ‘PeopleFluent’s Bright Lights: Meet Kim Cyphers, Director of Product Adoption and Consulting’

What skills are needed to be successful in your role?

It’s important to be a self-starter and a great communicator. You have to build a rapport with customers and prospects to help them see how our solutions might help. That also means you have to be willing to really dig deeper with clients to find the “why” behind their decisions. It’s really about being a team player and making sure the clients know that you’re there for them.

What skills do you hope to develop in the future?

I’m always looking to learn something new. Right now, I’d like to enhance my leadership and technical skills.

Outside of work, I’m learning Spanish and American Sign Language (ASL). Since I live in Florida, learning Spanish would really broaden my communication capabilities. As for ASL, it’s always been an interest of mine.

Is there a project you’ve worked on that you’re particularly proud of?

One of my first projects comes to mind. I was implementing one of our solutions for a client, and during the process, the customer asked me to come back to their site and be the sole lead on the entire project. Originally I was the lead on just one smaller portion of the overall project.

I’m really proud of that experience. Prior to that customer’s project, off-cycle compensation hadn’t been widely used by our customers. The project set me on the path to being PeopleFluent’s in-house expert on the subject.

Currently, I’m excited to be part of the team looking at potential user experience updates. It’s great being able to help make product enhancement recommendations.

RELATED READING | ‘3 Ways PeopleFluent Compensation Makes Off-Cycle Payments Easier’

What’s your favorite work perk?

Definitely remote work. I’ve been a remote employee the entire time I’ve been with PeopleFluent, and I can honestly say I love my commute to my office [laughs].

Working remotely has allowed my family to make a couple of moves over the years that wouldn’t have been possible if I was in an office on-site. I also love that this kind of work lets me be productive anywhere, so I have the flexibility to be where my family needs me most while still showing up every day for my team.

What are you doing when you’re not at your desk?

I like staying active. I walk my dog while I’m on my lunch break, and I go to the gym a few nights a week. I enjoy live sports and try to see as many events as I can.

I also love to travel. My kids are all grown now, and they live all across the country. I travel to see them as often as I can. I take international trips when I can. Ireland and France are two of my favorite places to visit.

What advice would you share with other professionals, especially those starting their careers?

There are two things I want to share. First, don’t be afraid to change directions if you want to explore something new. Going to school for or having training in a particular discipline doesn’t mean that is where you need to stay for the rest of your working life.

I’m very thankful for my time in accounting. I learned a lot, but I also found that I really enjoyed training teams, which led me to making a professional change. I’m much more passionate about my work now than I was when I was doing what I went to school for.

The second thing I’d like to share is setting boundaries and having a strong work-life balance—especially when working remotely—is crucial. Being remote offers great flexibility, but it doesn’t mean you should be working 12-hour days, either.

It’s really important to set your boundaries from the start and create that balance. Otherwise, burnout will come fast.

MORE FROM THE BLOG | ‘Fairness, Equity, and Customization: Why You Win With PeopleFluent Compensation’