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Day in the Life: Matt Rayson
Aftermarket sales are a large focus for Caterpillar. Matt Rayson has been a marketing strategist in various roles and global locations, supporting the service and support needs for customers and dealers.
By Danielle Wills and Matt Rayson | Posted January, 2024
Q: Where are you from?
A: I’m originally from Peterborough, UK. A major Caterpillar facility operates there, so I suppose Caterpillar is in my blood. I’ve been with the company for 22 years now.
Q: How did you start your career at Caterpillar?
A: I started in a Caterpillar graduate program when I was with Perkins, which was a great opportunity. I worked in different departments to get a feel for the various kinds of work. I figured out the type of roles that interested me, which helped me chart a professional path for myself. After the graduate program, I began a sales manager position with Perkins, covering Africa. I learned much about pricing, dealer development and the supply chain. I also obtained my Six Sigma black belt, so my training was a mix of formal and on-the-job learning. Ten years into my career, in 2010, I moved to Singapore to redesign Perkins’ Asia distribution network. In 2013, my first leadership position began as a Product Manager for IPSD in Asia Pacific covering both the Perkins and Cat® brands.
Q: What is your role now and how long have you been doing it?
A: I joined Cat Marine in 2020 and now work as the Cat Marine Marketing Strategy Director based in Geneva, Switzerland. I have three general areas of responsibility: the global Caterpillar high-speed engine marine segment, leadership of the marine marketing department, and leadership of the Marine Data Science & Market Insights team, which uses data and analytics to drive fact-based insights to support marine strategy and product support decisions.
Q: Do you mostly work alone or with others?
A: My role is very collaborative. I work closely with the Marine Services, Commercial and Product teams. I also work closely with dealers, shipyards, ship designers and end users in the development and execution of our strategy. Working with such a diverse group of people is very rewarding and helps me stay curious.
Q: How would you describe the company culture at Caterpillar?
A: Caterpillar is a values-based culture whose leadership promotes healthy debate and psychological safety. The company focuses on helping customers succeed, forming our decision-making foundation. That culture of helpfulness permeates the whole organization. And safety is absolutely king in everything we do.
Q: Do you have professional development recommendations?
A: Do your best to explore as many different departments and various industries as possible. This can give you the knowledge you need to identify what kind of work you like. Combine formal learning opportunities with real-world learning. Get leadership experience and keep developing your emotional intelligence so that you understand your own reactions, know what does and doesn’t trigger you and continue to develop your compassion for others. Last but not least, stay curious!
Q: What do you like most about working for Caterpillar?
A: The diversity of work and opportunities. Caterpillar offers many opportunities to work in different cultures and geographies, and I find that exciting and interesting. There are so many chances to live in different countries and constantly learn. I also love being surrounded by smart people and great bosses. I feel that one of my responsibilities is cultivating and preparing the next-generation workforce. And I love to see my employees succeed.
Q: How do you like to spend your time outside of work?
A: The key word in that question is “time.” I’ve had to learn how to say “no” to certain activities so that I can manage my time effectively. I focus mainly on highly strategic priorities at work, and my travel is limited according to those priorities. During the pandemic, I learned the ways of virtual meetings, and I continue to use those to save travel time, which I can spend in better ways. I block time in my calendar for family. I became a father in 2013 and now have two kids, ages 10 and 7. I make a point of being involved in their day-to-day lives. We love to travel as a family. My wife and I enjoy seeing our children become curious about the world. We are also fortunate to be able to enjoy Lake Geneva in the summer and skiing in the French Alps during the winter.
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