Kristina Taylor

How long have you been with the company?
I’ve been with Radial since the beginning of 2017, so almost five years now.

How has your career grown since starting at Radial?
When I first started at Radial, I worked primarily on the ROM (Radial Order Management) application, one of our omnichannel solutions for clients that simplifies and orchestrates fulfillment. I then expanded my user interface (UI) role to other product areas within Radial, as I was given responsibility for DevOps (software development/ operations) and Scaled Agile for the product development organization. Scaled Agile is a framework for implementing agile, lean and DevOps practices at scale.

Since then, I’ve expanded into other product lines through our integrated UI initiative, which allowed me to work on our PTF system (Payments, Tax and Fraud), DropShip, Sisense and the customer service user interface.

Just recently I was asked to participate in the DE&I council which serves as an advisory body to build and maintain an inclusive culture for the Radial community. The council was launched to create awareness and support for individuals to bring their whole self to Radial.

Lastly, I have recently been meeting with bpostgroup employees to collaborate on projects that we are both currently working on. For example, the scale to agile initiative, designed to provide and better execute best practices around the Scaled Agile framework.

Are there any notable mentors or peers you feel have contributed to your growth/ success?
I’ve had the opportunity to work with many amazing, talented and influential people during my tenure at Radial. Our entire development and IT team has strongly and definitively contributed to my growth as an individual and my achievement in this rapid environment.

When push comes to shove, we do incredible things together. We work in a fast-paced business; eCommerce has been tested and pushed to new limits in the past two years. The teamwork and collaboration that happens across our company when new challenges arise is inspiring and we are better at the end of the day for it, not only for ourselves but for our clients. This dynamic enabled us to launch ROM, an omnichannel application that is not dependent on third party solutions. In addition, we have introduced the ability for clients to customize their workflow using our orchestration functionality.

What does your day-to-day look like? What are the main responsibilities of your role?
My main responsibilities focus on client needs in several different categories including developing new features that product management has on their roadmap, client customizations and ensuring our systems are always operating at top-notch efficiency for our clients. Recent client customizations include ‘ship method override’ and ‘back-order line cancellation’, which provide the customer more flexibility in the pack process and the ability to cancel orders.

By focusing on the ongoing scalability and maintainability of systems, we ensure a seamless front-to-back-end process and help our clients navigate the omnichannel experience. In turn, this enables them to better understand changing customer demand and quickly adapt processes that will improve sales and enhance the end-user experience.

What motivates you to wake up and go to work?
Our clients. It’s exciting working on client customizations through technical innovations. For example, when one of our brands has a sale on a specific item, it’s exhilarating to see the high levels of traffic coming in and being able to support them from a technical standpoint.

I am also continually motivated by my team. The development team is a really close-knit group. Many of us have worked at Radial for a long time, so we have developed a bond that allows us not only to work effectively but to have fun along the way.

What is your favorite part of your job/ what do you like most about working at Radial?
We have a lot of fun events like potluck lunches, holiday parties and picnics that are a great way to get to know colleagues more personally. I look forward to the resumption of these activities when the world gets “back to normal.”

Beyond the events, though, I love my role on the DE&I Council and having the opportunity to be part of a group of changemakers and leaders. Our efforts go beyond our day-to-day work and are making meaningful cultural changes within Radial. Through my work on the council, I have been able to meet a lot of people I wouldn’t typically work with and better understand how the development team impacts the rest of the organization.

What is your favorite non-work specific thing about your job? (i.e., breakroom games, onsite activities, awards, colleagues, etc.)
I’ve mentioned it a few times, but I have to say being a part of the DE&I Council. The communications sub-committee that I am a part of is working on Radial’s mission and branding around what DE&I means to the company. It’s empowering to be a part of a group making an impact on such an important issue.

What is one word you would use to describe working at Radial?
Growth. We continue to evolve and grow every day at Radial.

What is the best career lesson you have learned so far?
Talk less, listen more, and hire people smarter than yourself. Being able to put your ego aside and think about what is best for our clients and for Radial is critical.

Where do you see yourself within Radial in the next few years/ what are your goals?
I hope to continue to grow and learn more about our business areas and client needs. I also would like to have a greater impact on technical innovations that help our clients evolve.

I could also see myself expanding more into the fulfillment space – I’m currently focused and working on store fulfillment solutions but I have a lot to learn in the warehouse fulfillment world.

What is a fun fact that most people don’t know about you?
I play the piano and the violin. I occasionally still take lessons. My goal one day, when I retire, is to play in a small, local orchestra.

What do you like to do in your free time?
Besides playing the piano and violin, I love spending time with my family and hiking with my dogs. I am married with three kids and we have a German Shepherd and a Terrier Maltese mix.

What is one thing you can’t live without?
My dogs and chocolate.