Ann Mayer

I’ve been involved in training and consulting in the Call Centre and telemarketing arena since disco was cool. I gained my early experience in the UK, where I worked with a Communications Company that provided Help Desks for organisations such as IBM and Otis Elevators… which were also cool in their own right.

In England, I was involved in the creation and running of a telephone training company that was a leader in the field of Telephone Sales and Customer Service training. There, I assisted in the conception and set up of an inbound telemarketing bureau, which later took over the existing operation of Teledata.

Recognised as New Zealand’s leading authority in my role, as both Call Centre consultant and trainer, I authored “Telemarketing in New Zealand”, which is still the only NZ book in this area. My publication was sold in NZ and also in Singapore.

I was one of the founders of Startel Communications, which was the first inbound/outbound outsourcing bureau in the Country. I have been working under the name of Mayer Consultants since 1989, and have made name synonymous with excellent advice and training during.

In 2006, I started Telephos Ltd, which was a virtual outsourcing outbound Telemarketing Company providing these services to New Zealand and Australian business and gave up the interest in 2017. In 2015, I started in a telephone sales role for Shane Cortese, ICMI in New Zealand. I am now a shareholder and salesperson for the New Zealand branch of ICMI Speakers and Entertainers.

What is your greatest professional achievement?
For years I have been at the forefront of the Contact Centre Industry, starting my first inbound team in the company I worked for in the UK. When I returned to NZ with a partnership of 4 people, we successfully launched an inbound and outbound Call Centre, followed by the first “virtual” outbound centre in the early 2000’s. I have also been a Contract Trainer in the Call Centre Industry in NZ during these years, working closely with Corporate and small business to develop their companies and their staff.

What do you love about being a part of the ICMI team?
During a large part of my professional life I’ve been a sole trader, so working with the team at ICMI who instinctively give help and encouragement is a wonderful experience.

What do you like to do on the weekends?
I now have a ¼ acre property and I’m self-sufficient as far as fruit and vegetables are concerned, so that takes up a lot of my spare time. I enjoy cooking and pass on many jars of jam and pickles to all my friends when the fruit is in season. My other love is reading, a love developed when I was very young, encouraged by my Mother who ensured there were always exciting and challenging books to read.