Meet our people

I'm a product specialist on BrandOcean, our workflow application for creative services and production. I write specs for new features, I'm involved in new releases, arrange testing and liaise with quality assurance (QA) about test cases. I work closely with the client service department to ensure that our product meets our clients' needs.

Before my current position I worked as an analyst in the System Support Centre (SSC), where I received formal training for several months on every aspect of DDS systems. In the SSC I fielded client calls on our accounting products. I really liked problem-solving and helping clients achieve their goals.

After a few years I was ready for a new challenge. I was able to transfer to the product department as a developer. DDS provided me with excellent training and my manager and the rest of the team supported and guided me. I learned a lot from their knowledge and experience.

Having built up a good knowledge of our products I was given the opportunity to become part of the BrandOcean business team as a product specialist. I enjoy working with the people on my team. We each work on different issues, but consult with each other regularly.

The people at DDS are always approachable and happy to help, even when things get hectic and there's a lot to do. We have a nice, open office in a good location - close to Tate Modern, which I like to pop into during lunchtime, and the Globe Theatre.

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Before joining DDS in 2004 I worked in a bank on the customer services help desk. I'm quick at learning software applications and am interested in customer support, so I was a good fit for DDS' System Support Centre (SSC) on the accounting side of the business.

While in the SSC I gained a lot of hands-on experience testing products, which I thoroughly enjoyed. After two years I decided to move and become a product specialist on our agency workflow product, BrandOcean. SSC was a very good route into the product department because you build a solid foundation on the different applications we develop.

As a product specialist I meet with the business teams to determine product requirements, write specifications, work with the programmers who code the specs, and create testing requirements and manage testing. It's rewarding to guide software through the different development stages.

My team is very supportive and very helpful. I've learned a lot from my colleagues and I appreciate their advice, expertise and guidance.

Recently I moved to the media side of the business, and began working on iDesk, our digital media buying application. I like the variety of the work and the challenges. There's always something new and unexpected coming up that requires a creative solution.

Our location is great for me: I like to run along the Thames before work, from Tate Modern to the London Eye, past the Southbank Centre. Good thing we have showers at the office! Our new offices are modern and the facilities are great, such as the DDS diner, which is a large area where you can relax at lunchtime or have informal meetings during the day.

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I moved to DDS after six years working for very large companies in the aerospace and defence industry. Those companies were engineering-based and I found them a little dry. When I interviewed at DDS I could tell there was a better vibe to the place.

Since the advertising and marketing industry is evolving all the time, DDS is a company where I can always work on new technology. Development doesn't stand still. We're adding to our products all the time, based on future market and client needs.

I work closely with business analysts in client service who understand how the software is used by clients. They see the applications from the clients' perspective, so of course it makes for a better product. I write the requirements, design the solution and code the software, often as part of a team.

I feel I have a lot of input at DDS. I don't feel like a cog in a big machine, as I work as part of a good team and my feedback is often incorporated into the product. Also, my working day is well balanced. I get in relatively early and enjoy the free breakfasts. The normal working day is 9:30 to 5:30, which is nice because the morning trains are less crowded when I travel. In addition, I find that projects are planned well so you don't suddenly get hit with urgent tasks or need to fit three days' work into half a day. I can usually leave on time and spend more time with my family and friends.

I like the work environment at DDS. It's businesslike yet informal and lively. People get things done but no one is overbearing. There are no real egos and managers brief you and then let you get on with your job. You're managed but not dictated to, so there's a very good team spirit. It's also very diverse and open-minded. There are people here from all over the world. We often go out together after work, or relax by playing table football or the Xbox in the DDS diner.

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I've been at DDS for over 15 years now. I started as an analyst in the System Support Centre, answering client calls and testing software. I have an accounting background so I was hired to support our finance applications. I like the telephone interaction with clients.

After a few years I was promoted to team leader in the support centre. In this role I help manage the rest of the team. Since I have more experience on our systems, my colleagues sometimes escalate issues to me.

When I started at DDS I received several months' formal training on our applications. And in my team leader role I was given a supervisory skills course, which provided me with new ideas on how to manage staff.

DDS is a nice company to work for. Many people have been here more than five years. I like the open floor plan. You can see everyone, and everyone's very friendly.

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I started working at DDS 25 years ago as a technician in the telecommunications group. I soon became a manager in that group, and have since held several managerial positions in the Operations department.

My goal as a manager is to get my people to improve continuously by giving them the support to take their projects to fruition. Getting the credit and recognition for their hard work spurs them to strive for even higher performance. I also listen to everybody to get their views, and encourage everyone to work as a team.

I've been a kickboxing instructor for many years (in fact, I have black belts in several different styles of martial arts), and I see what motivates people to succeed. My managerial style has been greatly influenced by this.

For the past 12 years I've also been teaching kickboxing at DDS. Twice a week during our lunch hour a group of us heads over to a local sports complex. It's a great way to bring people together from different departments. It improves communication and understanding. It's my own personal mission to create the best possible atmosphere at the office.

The Southwark area is up-and-coming and our office space is great. The open plan really helps communication, as you can easily walk over and talk to someone and get things resolved quickly. The diner is a good place to meet your fellow employees.

The company is constantly changing, which is good. You don't get bored doing one thing. There are always new developments and you're given the freedom to move forward as a person.

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I started working at DDS in 2003 as a programmer focusing on internal projects such as our ticketing support architecture. It was a brilliant project. The applications using this architecture store an enormous amount of information and work really well. The real beauty of it was that we were able share most of the same code with our offices on both sides of the Atlantic.

Since then I've worked on many other projects. More recently, I was one of the programmers behind our website redesign after evaluating various technologies and I also started managing the project. Currently the main part of my job is programming client-facing Java applications. I love the variety of the work at DDS and I'm happy that I continuously expand my skill set.

My manager is always on the lookout for interesting projects that we can get involved in. It doesn't happen in all companies that your manager is so proactive and encourages you to try new things. If you prove yourself, you're given more opportunities.

Twice a month my team has a 'show and tell' session where everyone gets to research a new tool or technology and present it to the group. It's a great way to continue learning. We may not use it right away or it might not be the right fit, but you know about it and can suggest it in future. It's one more thing in your toolbox.

When I joined DDS initially I was constantly given feedback. It was crucial to get that pat on the back and it helped me head in the right direction. My managers are cool. They get involved when you want them to but otherwise let you get on with your job.

I've worked at four other companies, and DDS is the most employee-friendly of all. For example, when we moved to the new offices they organised staff visits to the new site and asked us for suggestions (that's how we got the table football and the Xbox!). They didn't have to do that.

The new office is brilliant. All my friends are envious. Since we're now all on the same floor and all work in open plan you get to know more people and interact with colleagues outside your team. The free breakfasts are nice as well and a good way to start the day.

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