Dynamic Duos: A masterclass in persistence
This week in Dynamic Duos, we hear from Wink's managing director, Kristie Atkins, and executive director, Prataal Raj.
In Dynamic Duos, Mumbrella each week asks two colleagues with a professional and personal affiliation to share with readers the importance of workplace relationships in an increasingly hybridised world of work.
Kristie Atkins:
There are so many versions of the story about how Prataal and I met, the tale has virtually become folklore. His account is always so much more colourful, so I will leave that to him.
I would love to say the much greater colour in the time since has all come from me, but in reality, I think it’s the mesh of our two wildly different personalities and skillsets that has strangely, produced something of a beautiful harmony.
Prataal is the smartest guy in the room that never had to study. Yet, he has to be reminded to iron his shirt for a business meeting. He is exceedingly loyal, highly disorganised (admittedly I’m the opposite) and doesn’t sweat the small stuff. What he can do on a phone is the stuff of legends. He doesn’t need any other tools, famously saying “I’m a talker, not a typer”.
Our multi award-winning customer acquisition and retention company Wink has become known for its ability to not just deliver best-in-market loyalty and promotions solutions, but its cheeky personality. A lot of that is from Prataal. He’s a big kid, yet razor smart and the best reader of people. I think he knows what each of us are going to do before we even think about doing it.
While I like to think chief cheerleader is my job, the support I get from Prataal is next level. He is the person who routinely checks in not about projects, facts or figures, but about you. He knows if you are good, the work will ultimately take care of itself. I am the opposite. I am all about the work, sometimes forgetting there is anything else going on in the world.
As our differences were obvious from day one, we drew up a ledger on who could make a call on what. It still stands today. The funny part is he is the one that started his career as a lawyer and yet I fancy myself as the best bush lawyer. I am the sales, marketing, commercial girl and yet frustratingly, he loves being a closer and of course, claiming more than his fair share of wins as a result!
The ledger features one clear rule of engagement. If we can’t agree, the answer is no. Of course, 99 times out of 100 we do come to the same conclusion, but get there in entirely different ways.
Prataal Raj:
Our first attempt at meeting was a masterclass in persistence (on my part). I was searching for a new GM of sales and commercial and an old school friend who used to work for Kristie told me she was “the best in the business” and would know exactly who to hire. The catch? Kristie rescheduled me about eight times before I finally got my moment with her. On the ninth attempt, I showed up only to wait a further 45 minutes. A huge thanks to Kristie’s EA for ensuring I didn’t give up and walk out!
Turns out, the wait wasn’t exactly worth it. Her two recommendations were duds. That’s because later Kristie admitted, you never give away a good salesperson, but I always suspected she wanted the job herself!
Fast forward probably another six months (in between me texting her clips of Richard Marx singing ‘Right Here Waiting for You’) and Kristie was contemplating her next move. She joined me at the payments company where I was working and that’s when we really started to build a connection.
We both knew starting Wink was going to be a bold leap. We didn’t know each other that well or for that long, but there was this gut feeling about how we complement each other’s strengths. She had all the bits I didn’t and vice versa, except maybe the part about loyalty.
That’s where Kristie shines. Loyalty is not just a buzzword for us, it’s a foundational value that drives our work and our partnership. We’re both fiercely loyal to our clients, our team and each other, despite the occasional doozy. Our debates are healthy and productive, and our relationship is built on trust and mutual respect. It ensures that when we come to a decision, it’s the right one for the team, for our clients and our business. And let’s face it, I rarely get a word in edgewise. Kristie’s got that covered.
Starting Wink was a leap of faith on both our parts, but it is a gamble that has paid off. The business has been vibrant and profitable, with no debt, from day one. We’ve never taken a cent of investment and have grown Wink through the quality of work we deliver and relationships we foster. We’ve got a dynamic that works, even when we’re laughing about how those two duds must be doing now.
Kristie on Prataal:
Most memorable moment with Prataal: All the moments when he puts up with how fastidious I am. For example, when I am stressed out and carrying on, claiming I cannot get everything done and yet still need two hours to go to the hairdresser. He will put me in the car, drive me there and use the time enroute to let me offload all my problems. Or when he looks at me, realises it’s a Friday, that I am tired and, in a mood, he just gets me a wine without asking. Maybe he knows it will be better for him that way.
Best word to describe him: Frustrating but likably so (sorry that’s four words). I spend my life reminding him about to do’s, people’s birthdays, to iron his clothes, and devising a rescue plan when it all goes wrong. One time I even had to get one of our poor recruiters to fly to another state with his tux when he forgot he was going to need it for a ball we were attending that same night.
Most annoying habit or endearing behaviour he has: Same as above. How drama ensues but he still always leaves me smiling (grimacing?) never becomes old.
Prataal on Kristie:
Most memorable moment with Kristie: Almost falling off our seats when we were first named APAC Loyalty & Engagement Agency Team of the Year. Tucked away on the table in the furthest corner you could possibly find, we thought we were just there for the drinks. Safe to say, there were a few drinks after!
Best word to describe her: Kind-to-a-fault (cheating making it one word but one word!).
Most annoying habit or endearing behaviour she has: I hate the mornings, and Kristie is a morning person. Every day as I grumble in the AM, I am told you need to win the mornings and I respond with its not how you start, it’s how you finish.
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Lauren McNamara is the associate editor at Mumbrella, covering the agency beat. She joined in November 2022 as editorial assistant, after completing a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) at UTS.
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