I’m Debo, Internal Communications Manager at Selfridges. At Selfridges my role requires a balance of tactical delivery and strategic thinking. I’m responsible for communications to the 3,000 shopfloor team members in the Oxford Street store and I partner with key business functions to deliver company wide initiatives and change projects. It’s fast paced, in constant motion and never boring.
I’ve been an Internal Communicator for just over eight years. I got my start at a global youth travel agency, before joining Selfridges 3 ½ years ago. Pursuing a career in Internal Comms wasn’t on the cards when I was younger and planning my future. I didn’t know it existed. But since stepping into this world I’ve found a profession that challenges and inspires me, not only for its ability to add real value to organisations but also its potential to make a positive difference in the lives of people.
Starting out in Internal Comms in my mid 20s I was eager to learn and develop quickly. After attending a couple of IC Masterclasses by the amazing Rachel Miller, I signed up for the Foundation Diploma with the IoIC in 2018. This was a fantastic introduction and laid a strong foundation for my IC career, from which point I knew that I would eventually sign up to the Masters. In 2023 I was in a place where the Masters felt doable, so I went for it!
My cohort was the best. Looking back it was like we climbed Everest together. I always looked forward to reconnecting at our two-day workshops, and when we weren't together WhatsApp was our safe space to share, vent and encourage each other; an absolute lifeline throughout the MA.
The tutors were excellent. They were incredibly knowledgeable, supportive and challenging in all the right ways. Their passion for the course content was clear as day, making new and at times complex topics interesting and digestible. Between the workshops and assignment deadlines they were always on hand to answer questions, review drafts and discuss sticking points.
But, the most valuable part was the journey. Going through the process, dedicating a year to focus on this one thing unlocked something in me I didn’t know I had. I found I was capable of more than I previously believed.
Though balancing work and studying was quite challenging, being able to apply my learning in real time was really beneficial. With loads of new theories and models, I’d explain things to my peers or break down approaches to stakeholders to not only test my understanding but also its applicability with my work. It boosted my confidence, particularly when making proposals or suggesting improvements. It also opened my eyes to what else is out there, such as Change Management and Organisational Design, two topics that particularly piqued my interest.
Since completing the MA I’ve taken on more challenging projects and additional responsibilities. I recently led communications for a large change project, where insights from the MA helped me to shape the communications approach and delivery.
"For anyone thinking of doing the MA, I’d 100% recommend it. It’s challenging but hugely rewarding."
There’s so much advice I would give to my pre-MA self, but three fundamentals are:
- Create a routine that works for you. The MA is demanding, especially when trying to fit in work and life commitments. I found going to the gym regularly, doing the bulk of my work in a library on weekends worked best for me, allowing me to focus and feel like I still had a life.
- Ask the stupid question. You have two days per module to get to grips with a few topics (which in my case were often brand new). Being in a room with lots of experienced IC Pros was at times daunting, but also the perfect test bed to ask the stupid question! It helped me go into the next stage with clarity on the topic and requirements for the assignment.
- Send drafts. The tutors are incredibly giving with their time. Sending drafts in advance of the deadline was a gamechanger. Sharing a simple structure and references enabled me to understand if I was heading in the right direction, and as I continued to build my assignments, a couple of rounds of feedback made all the difference to my final submission.
