At Chrysalis Finance, we have a brilliant team of Business Development Managers (BDMs) who spend their days helping clinics to make the best use of our finance products for their patients. In this series of profiles, we find out what makes them tick. Here’s Vikki Ruscoe, who, apart from having a red Ducati motorbike in her living room, is a perfectly normal and very friendly member of the Chrysalis team.

Shall we talk about the motorbike first?

We can, but we might run out of time if you get me started on motorbikes. Yes, I do have a red Ducati in the house, it’s not really meant to be there, but it looks so good we haven’t the heart to move it. My husband and I love motorbikes and car racing and spend a lot of our spare time at the races. It such an exciting atmosphere and we’ve met so many interesting people who share our passion.

Let’s talk about your job as BDM, do you cover a certain area of the UK?

No, one of the things I like about working for Chrysalis is that we play to our individual strengths, so each BDM has the clients they can help the most. I work mostly with bigger dental groups, connecting with individual clinics in each group. I have over 400 clinics that I work with, mostly dental but also including medical, audiologists and ophthalmologists.

Before I joined Chrysalis, I was a dental practice manager for 30 years so I understand how they work and I know the pressures they are under. I also used to deal with payment options for patients so I understand the benefits to clinics and to patients.

What do you like most about your job?

I love everything about my job but here’s four things that stand out:

• I have control over how I plan my days and I am trusted to work out the best way to look after my clinics and deliver for the company
• I enjoy helping people and sharing my knowledge. Having worked ‘on the front-line’ for so many years, I can really help my clinics to solve problems. I particularly love to see smaller clinics grow and become successful.
• I like the way everyone at Chrysalis helps each other. We’re a small, close-knit team, we use each other’s strengths and skills and no one is ever too busy to help you.
• Carrying out training for clinics on payment options is the most enjoyable part of my job and this is everything from one-to-one coaching to online workshops bringing lots of clinics together.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Hmm, typical day? Not sure that exists, but I will generally be in touch, one way or another, with lots of clients each day. This may be responding to calls and messages or just checking in with them to make sure everything is going well. I am often out visiting clinics too. I spend a lot of time training and, as mentioned, I run online workshops. I’m running one this afternoon for 44 practice managers.

What value would you say you bring to clinics?

I make sure they are confident selling our payment options. I sort out POS materials for them, solve any problems they may have with the systems or more generally, answer questions – there are no daft questions as far as I am concerned. Also, I help them to understand compliance, which is very important in the finance world and, of course, it’s not their world so I think that’s a really important contribution. And just being there, on the phone, WhatsApp, email or in person when they need me.

What do you like most about working for Chrysalis Finance?

Joining Chrysalis after 30 years as a practice manager has been life-changing for me and was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I feel they value my skills and experience, and I can really add value. I can put forward ideas and they will be listened to and acted upon.  Also, I don’t think other finance providers give the level of customer care that we do, and I am proud of our Patient Promise, which puts patients at the heart of our business.

When you’re not working, what do you like to do?

Well, the motorbikes of course, but also, I love to travel with my husband, who I met on a blind date 28 years ago! And, most important of all, I am kept happily busy by my gorgeous grandson.

And finally, what’s your secret to success?

I think it’s important to remember we’re all human, so we need to be kind to one another. And don’t forget to laugh, because otherwise life can get too serious.