What The #&@$ Do You Do, Manning?!?

Chris Manning
Client Services and Operations Manager
Joined The Orchard September 2008

I hear you’re kind of a jack of all trades in the London office Chris… Please tell me, what the #&@$ do you actually do?!
A jack of all trades is one way of putting it! I look after labels, generally a mix of catalogue both local and international. I also look after the dance labels we have. Managing labels means I cover many things from marketing campaigns, delivery issues, help building label revenue, advising on release strategy, accounting and so on. From the operations side, I am the point of contact for our EU-based stores and the ops point of contact for the EU team. On a more general note, I am the support for our EU team when things go wrong in our client dashboard, OA [our backend administrative system], the office etc… or if things don’t happen as they should!

So what you’re saying is you’re the go-to person for clients, retail partners and Orchard-ites alike and the rest of us can just go home, haha. How do you manage all of that? Can you take me through a day in the life of Chris Manning?
I couldn’t do what I do without the support of an amazing team so if everyone went home I don’t think I would last long ha! The days are very busy and varied which is great but juggling many different things certainly keeps me on my toes, I am very organized so I think that helps! The day starts with going through emails and addressing the issues that get sent my way. This generally continues throughout the day helping the team. I keep in contact with my labels talking about release plans, marketing schedules and plans, meetings, plans to grow revenue and general day to day management of their needs. Then it’s a case of keeping on top of any store issues as well.

A little bird told me you’re a fan of dance music and have an upcoming stag trip to Ibiza. What can you say in your defense, and what do you have up your sleeve for the trip?
Dance music is where my passion lies in music! I was very happy to sign Intec Digital – Carl Cox’s label – at the end of last year. Good times ahead on that one.

Ah yes the stag do (or bachelor party as you guys call it). As the best man I’ve been entrusted with a very important part of my best friend getting married, his stag party. It will be a fairly civilized affair, good food, some light beers and general good rest before the wedding. Just kidding! It’s going to be carnage! The Hangover 3 springs to mind. There are no crazy tricks up my sleeve, just one rule for the stag: he’s not allowed to bring anything apart from a passport; we’ll cover the rest!

I’ve always been meaning to ask: how do you differentiate between all you Chrises in the UK?! Between you, Tams and Duncan… Ever miss hearing your first name? Is having Chris as a first name a deal-breaker now when someone applies for a job or internship?
Let’s see… Myself and Duncan are referred to by our last names. Mr. Tams is slightly different, he prefers Chris unless he likes you, then you can call him Tams! Sometimes, when someone rings the office and asks for Chris it can get interesting. Strangely though, I’ve never received their email! As for job applicants, the CV doesn’t get pass the first stage unless they are called Chris. Mark Denby only got in on a default! [Only joking, it's just pure coincidence we all ended up being a Chris.]

Thanks Chris! I always wondered what the @&#$ you did!

favorite sport: football – English style; team: Liverpool
favorite TV show: The Sopranos
random: I have a funny party trick, most people are either impressed or disgusted… (personally I think it’s boring!)