Date posted:
Tue 23 April 2024
Name: Nicola Docking
Company: Poke Marketing
Position: MD
What do you actually do day-to-day? Answer a lot of questions! Running a marketing agency is incredibly varied day-to-day and my work tends to be dictated by what the team or clients need. I hate routine and work best when spinning a lot of plates so it suits me.
Have you ever had a mentor? If so, who? Not officially, but I have learnt something from key people at every place I've worked. Chris Cook at Newsquest taught me to heavily invest in your young people. Ginette Unsworth and Louise Marsden at Keep Britain Tidy were the role models for working mums I didn't know I needed at the time. And I've been lucky enough to work with my parents who taught me to care about the right things. Andrew (from Poke) and I have worked together in a variety of roles for the last 12 years and he's definitely taught me to relax into my own skin - I don't tell people what they want to hear to keep them happy, and that's a confidence I've learnt from him.
Does money motivate you? Yes. And I think it's really important, as a female, that you are able to talk about money. Work hard, bring a lot to the table and get paid well for it.
What has been the most important event in your working life? I took a full time job in my final year of uni. I became web editor at The Warrington Guardian. Having worked there part time in admin roles, at the time it was my dream job, so I couldn't risk it going to someone else. I absolutely loved it, however, balancing it alongside a full time degree nearly killed me. But, it made me love work, taught me a lot about juggling multiple things and really ignited my ambitions.
Who do you most admire? Two of my team have come to us through apprenticeships. Kelly (currently Content Creator Apprentice) and Mollyann (now three years in and a project manager). Both of them took a career path considered outside of the norm as both felt an expectation from school to just go through the traditional university route. I wildly admire both of them for making the choices that were right for them and continue to admire how much they grab every opportunity given to them.
What does leadership mean to you? Being the person that gives their team the confidence to flourish. Being able to spot people's talents and needs and work these into the wider goals for the business.
What’s your favourite TV programme? I could watch Fleabag on repeat. But I'm also a sucker for trash dating shows like Love is Blind.
How do you relax? Going to the beach. I adore Formby and Ainsdale.
Fry up or healthy smoothie? Fry up - I come from a sausage and bacon family business!
Pub or club? Pub. But really, a nice bar. We work opposite Ranelagh's Tavern so I feel I need to specify!
Gym or countryside walk? Countryside Walk
Favourite piece of music? I find a song I like and then listen to it solely on repeat until I hate it. My current one is Always Alright by Alabama Shakes.
Flannels or Florence & Fred? Flannels
Birkdale or Birkenhead? Birkdale - Bistrot Vérité is amazing.
