{"id":10176,"date":"2025-10-07T08:31:44","date_gmt":"2025-10-07T08:31:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zaharasoftware.com\/?p=10176"},"modified":"2025-12-09T08:59:29","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T08:59:29","slug":"zahara-insights-interview-with-lydia-hartles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zaharasoftware.com\/zahara-insights\/zahara-insights-interview-with-lydia-hartles\/","title":{"rendered":"Zahara Insights Interview with Lydia Hartles"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Behind Zahara\u2019s expanding network of clients and partners is a team driven by passion and persistence. One of those people is <strong>Lydia Hartles<\/strong>, part of Zahara\u2019s Sales and Partnerships team.<br>\nWe sat down with Lydia to learn more about her role, her journey, and a few fun facts you probably didn\u2019t know about her.<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zaharasoftware.com\/zahara-insights\/zahara-insights-interview-with-lydia-hartles\/#quickfire_round_%f0%9f%94%a5\" >Quickfire Round \ud83d\udd25<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zaharasoftware.com\/zahara-insights\/zahara-insights-interview-with-lydia-hartles\/#from_discovery_to_delivery\" >From Discovery to Delivery<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zaharasoftware.com\/zahara-insights\/zahara-insights-interview-with-lydia-hartles\/#what_makes_a_great_salesperson\" >What Makes a Great Salesperson?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zaharasoftware.com\/zahara-insights\/zahara-insights-interview-with-lydia-hartles\/#lessons_from_hospitality\" >Lessons From Hospitality<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zaharasoftware.com\/zahara-insights\/zahara-insights-interview-with-lydia-hartles\/#staying_sharp_and_learning_every_day\" >Staying Sharp and Learning Every Day<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zaharasoftware.com\/zahara-insights\/zahara-insights-interview-with-lydia-hartles\/#advice_for_aspiring_sales_professionals\" >Advice for Aspiring Sales Professionals<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zaharasoftware.com\/zahara-insights\/zahara-insights-interview-with-lydia-hartles\/#what_drives_lydia_at_zahara\" >What Drives Lydia at Zahara<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zaharasoftware.com\/zahara-insights\/zahara-insights-interview-with-lydia-hartles\/#professional_pride\" >Professional Pride<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zaharasoftware.com\/zahara-insights\/zahara-insights-interview-with-lydia-hartles\/#beyond_the_office_sharks_adventure_and_the_open_water\" >Beyond the Office: Sharks, Adventure, and the Open Water<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zaharasoftware.com\/zahara-insights\/zahara-insights-interview-with-lydia-hartles\/#final_thoughts\" >Final Thoughts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-quickfire-round\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"quickfire_round_%f0%9f%94%a5\"><\/span>Quickfire Round \ud83d\udd25<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We started with a few light-hearted questions to get to know Lydia better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Favourite beverage:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cIf I\u2019m really treating myself, a Fanta \u2014 but usually it\u2019s sparkling water.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Pets:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cLove them! I\u2019d have a whole farm if I could.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Desert island disc:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cThat\u2019s a tough one! At the moment I\u2019m loving \u2018You Can\u2019t\u2019 by Justin Bieber. I also like Drake and Dave \u2014 I\u2019m into pop and R&amp;B.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Superpower for a day:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cI\u2019d love to breathe underwater. Or fly \u2014 it\u2019s got to be one of those two!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Go-to feel-good movie:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cFinding Nemo! It\u2019s easy to watch and genuinely funny. I also love the Minions.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-from-discovery-to-delivery\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"from_discovery_to_delivery\"><\/span>From Discovery to Delivery<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Lydia\u2019s day-to-day is anything but predictable. Her role covers the full sales cycle \u2014 from managing discovery calls and qualifying leads to closing deals and handing projects to the delivery team.<br>\nShe\u2019s also a key player in Zahara\u2019s partner strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cI work with a range of partners \u2014 from accountants and ERP resellers to e-commerce platforms and reporting tools,\u201d Lydia explains. \u201cIt\u2019s about maintaining those relationships, finding new ones, and identifying opportunities that help both sides grow.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>When she\u2019s not building relationships, Lydia spends time making sure every lead from Zahara\u2019s website, outreach, and trials is tracked, followed up, and reported on. It\u2019s a fast-paced, multifaceted role that keeps her constantly moving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-makes-a-great-salesperson\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what_makes_a_great_salesperson\"><\/span>What Makes a Great Salesperson?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For Lydia, success in sales isn\u2019t about a single big win \u2014 it\u2019s about <strong>curiosity<\/strong> and <strong>resilience<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve always been curious by nature,\u201d she says. \u201cThat curiosity helps me understand what customers really need \u2014 their challenges, their priorities, and how Zahara can genuinely help.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>She also admits that tenacity is essential. Sales can be tough, and rejection comes with the territory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cYou need to be thick-skinned. You\u2019ll hear \u2018no\u2019 a lot, but you have to pick yourself up and keep going.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-lessons-from-hospitality\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"lessons_from_hospitality\"><\/span>Lessons From Hospitality<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before joining Zahara, Lydia spent years working in hospitality \u2014 from nightclubs and casinos to fine dining restaurants. The experience taught her invaluable lessons about people, patience, and hard work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cYou deal with every kind of customer in hospitality. It teaches you people skills, resilience, and the value of graft \u2014 especially during those 14-hour shifts!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>That background in service has translated well into sales, where understanding human behaviour and keeping your composure under pressure are everyday essentials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-staying-sharp-and-learning-every-day\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"staying_sharp_and_learning_every_day\"><\/span>Staying Sharp and Learning Every Day<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Lydia believes continuous learning is key to staying effective in sales.<br>\nShe keeps up with market changes, listens to podcasts, joins webinars, and makes a point of understanding each client\u2019s unique needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cEvery industry Zahara works with is different,\u201d she says. \u201cThe nuances matter \u2014 from how they process invoices to the systems they rely on. Knowing that detail helps me tailor how we position Zahara.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-advice-for-aspiring-sales-professionals\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"advice_for_aspiring_sales_professionals\"><\/span>Advice for Aspiring Sales Professionals<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When asked what advice she\u2019d give to someone starting out in sales, Lydia doesn\u2019t hesitate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cBe open to learning and adapting. Don\u2019t get stuck on one process or think there\u2019s a single right way to sell. Every client and every situation is different.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Adaptability, she says, separates good salespeople from great ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-drives-lydia-at-zahara\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what_drives_lydia_at_zahara\"><\/span>What Drives Lydia at Zahara<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For Lydia, motivation comes from challenge, collaboration, and belief in the product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cI love having my finger in different pots. I\u2019ve also got a great working relationship with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zaharasoftware.com\/the-team\/\">Jonathan<\/a> (Zahara&#8217;s COO), which makes things flow. And I genuinely believe Zahara is a brilliant system \u2014 it\u2019s just about talking about it in the right way.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>She\u2019s excited by Zahara\u2019s potential and committed to helping more businesses discover its value in a crowded marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-professional-pride\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"professional_pride\"><\/span>Professional Pride<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When reflecting on her proudest moments, Lydia mentions her first corporate role \u2014 a big leap from her hospitality days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cMy first nine-to-five was with Web Expenses. It was tough at first, but I stuck at it and adapted. I\u2019ve always been determined to make things work.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>That same grit has followed her to Zahara, especially in her partner work, where building strong, lasting relationships takes time and patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-beyond-the-office-sharks-adventure-and-the-open-water\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"beyond_the_office_sharks_adventure_and_the_open_water\"><\/span>Beyond the Office: Sharks, Adventure, and the Open Water<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Away from work, Lydia\u2019s passions take her below the surface \u2014 literally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m obsessed with sharks! I\u2019ve got my diving licence, a shark calendar on my desk, and one day I want to swim with reef sharks.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>She\u2019s also a self-confessed daredevil who loves snorkelling, travelling, and embracing adventure \u2014 including a childhood stint at school in Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-final-thoughts\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"final_thoughts\"><\/span>Final Thoughts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Lydia\u2019s story reflects the spirit of Zahara \u2014 curious, committed, and always ready for the next challenge.<br>\nHer mix of people skills, determination, and genuine passion for connecting with customers makes her an essential part of Zahara\u2019s growth story.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Behind Zahara\u2019s expanding network of clients and partners is a team driven by passion and persistence. One of those people is Lydia Hartles, part of Zahara\u2019s Sales and Partnerships team. We sat down with Lydia to learn more about her role, her journey, and a few fun facts you probably didn\u2019t know about her. Quickfire &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zaharasoftware.com\/zahara-insights\/zahara-insights-interview-with-lydia-hartles\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Zahara Insights Interview with Lydia Hartles&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":88127,"featured_media":10178,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"iawp_total_views":16,"footnotes":""},"categories":[738],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10176","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-zahara-insights"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.8 (Yoast SEO v27.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Zahara Insights Interview with Lydia Hartles<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zaharasoftware.com\/zahara-insights\/zahara-insights-interview-with-lydia-hartles\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Zahara Insights Interview with Lydia Hartles\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Behind Zahara\u2019s expanding network of clients and partners is a team driven by passion and persistence. One of those people is Lydia Hartles, part of Zahara\u2019s Sales and Partnerships team. We sat down with Lydia to learn more about her role, her journey, and a few fun facts you probably didn\u2019t know about her. 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