Groupon Employee Spotlight:
Olivia Wertel

In the first edition of 2025, we’re pleased to feature Olivia Wertel, the winner of our Groupon Ambassador competition! Since joining Groupon in May 2024 as Key Account Manager EMEA in France, Olivia has shown a strong ability to work across diverse industries and build valuable partnerships. Her strategic approach to her role and focus on collaboration within her team have contributed to her success. Olivia’s win in the Groupon Ambassador competition highlights her commitment to our brand, as she engaged her network and provided valuable insights to enhance our offerings.

As Olivia's manager, Quentin Fodda, INTL Head of Enterprise/National, puts it: 'Olivia’s enthusiasm and commitment truly shine through, as seen in her win of the Groupon Ambassador Challenge. Her ability to share her passion for Groupon and make the most of the platform’s amazing deals speaks volumes about her engagement and love for what we offer.'

In this interview, Olivia shares her journey, the importance of teamwork, and her dedication to continuous learning.

Tell us a little about yourself and your current role at Groupon. What excites you most about what you do?

Since joining Groupon in May 2024 as Key Account Manager EMEA, I’ve had the chance to collaborate with a wide range of partners, from e-learning platforms to ski resorts and cinemas. What I find most exciting about my role is the ability to drive growth and impact across such diverse industries. By leveraging my bilingual skills, I’m able to craft strategies that align with both our partners’ goals and Groupon’s objectives, creating value for customers while strengthening our partnerships. It’s this mix of creativity, strategy, and business impact that makes working at Groupon so rewarding. 

Can you walk us through your career journey? What led you to Groupon, and how has it shaped your professional growth?

Over the past 10 years, I’ve developed my career in business development across a variety of industries, including spirits brands, a fashion showroom in NYC, fashion schools in France, and Marriott Hotels in Paris. What attracted me to Groupon was the opportunity to work in a dynamic, global environment where I could apply my skills to help drive growth and success for both local and international partners. The range of industries I now engage with has expanded my professional horizons, giving me the chance to tackle new challenges and make a real impact in a rapidly changing marketplace. 

You've been with Groupon for less than a year, yet you've already won the Groupon Ambassadors competition. Can you share specific examples of how you leveraged your insights or actions to deliver value to the business and secure the win?

Although I’ve only been with Groupon for a short time, I saw the Ambassadors competition as a great opportunity to stand out and promote Groupon, both for personal growth and business impact. You can imagine I didn’t reach 606 orders just by purchasing deals for myself! My strategy was to become a true brand ambassador for Groupon, especially with my close network—friends and family. Initially, they helped me out, but guess what? They’ve since become loyal Groupon customers.

The competition also gave me the chance to step into the shoes of our users, helping me better understand the inner workings of Groupon. Through this experience, I identified a few bugs, made suggestions for improving deal caps on popular offers, and recommended adjustments to deal structures based on the feedback I gathered. This not only gave me valuable insight into how we can optimize deals but also helped me better manage my sales portfolio, ensuring a more tailored and efficient approach for my partners.

I really appreciated the initiative behind the Groupon Ambassadors competition. It’s a great way to engage employees, provide an opportunity to make a real impact on the business, and strengthen our connection to the brand.

What do you believe are the key ingredients for both individuals and teams to thrive and achieve outstanding performance in an ever-evolving company like Groupon?

To thrive at Groupon, it’s crucial to create value-driven deals that benefit both our partners and customers. Clear communication among colleagues plays a key role in understanding what drives success and optimizing every opportunity. Personally, exchanging insights with the team helps me better navigate internal processes, refine my approach, and learn from others' experiences. Each team member brings unique expertise, whether in business development, process optimization, or strategy, and it’s through collaboration that we consistently achieve outstanding results.

High performance often requires balance. How do you manage to stay at your best while ensuring a healthy work-life balance?

Maintaining high performance comes from being well-organized and focused on the most impactful tasks. I ensure a healthy work-life balance by setting clear boundaries, managing my time efficiently, and dedicating time to activities that recharge me, like hobbies and spending time with loved ones. While it may sound obvious, my experience has shown me that compartmentalizing work and personal life is essential to being effective and performing well in both areas. This approach keeps me energized, creative, and focused, ultimately supporting my performance at work. 

Can you share a time at Groupon when you faced a major challenge in achieving your goals? How did you navigate through it and turn it into a success?

One of the biggest challenges I faced when I joined Groupon was balancing the need to deliver results with managing active accounts to ensure seamless service for both partners and customers, while also re-engaging inactive accounts. At the same time, I had to quickly get up to speed with internal processes. This period of adjustment required strong organizational skills and the ability to learn quickly. With the support of my colleagues and a structured approach, I was able to overcome these challenges. This experience not only helped me ramp up quickly but also reinforced the importance of collaboration and adaptability in a fast-paced environment like Groupon. 

As Groupon continues to transform, how do you adjust your approach to ensure you're contributing to the company's long-term growth and success?

As Groupon continues to evolve, I make it a priority to stay agile and adapt my approach to meet the company’s changing needs. I actively seek ways to optimize my efforts, whether by identifying new opportunities with our partners or refining strategies to align with our long-term goals. I’m always focused on learning and growing, and I see every challenge as an opportunity to enhance my skills. By staying proactive and forward-thinking, I aim to contribute to Groupon's transformation and success, while also positioning myself to take the next step in my career. I’m committed to growing alongside the company and ensuring that my work has a lasting impact on our overall growth.

What was the very first Groupon experience you had, and how did it impact your view of the company?

My first Groupon experience was in 2013 when I bought a weekend trip to Dubrovnik with a friend. It was a fantastic experience and gave me a positive impression of Groupon’s ability to offer great deals and unique experiences!

What’s one life lesson you’ve learned that has had a major impact on your professional journey and how you approach challenges at work?  

One key lesson I've learned is that resilience is essential. Setbacks happen, but staying focused and adapting quickly is what leads to success. This mindset has shaped how I approach challenges, helping me stay solution-oriented and progress even when faced with difficulties. It's a lesson that applies not only to my professional journey but also to my personal life. Whether navigating work-related obstacles or personal challenges, resilience allows me to keep moving forward, learn from setbacks, and ultimately grow stronger in every aspect of my life. 

When you're not working, what’s a hobby or activity you’re passionate about that helps you recharge?

Outside of work, music is one of my biggest passions, particularly attending festivals and concerts. It’s a chance to unwind and enjoy great moments with friends in a lively, fun environment. I also love cooking and sharing meals with loved ones, as it strengthens my connections with them. Additionally, I’m always eager to learn, and I enjoy expanding my knowledge through reading or taking courses on new topics. For instance, I have a keen interest in personal development, particularly in areas such as Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Brief Therapy, and Synergology. I find these topics fascinating as they provide valuable insights into human behavior and communication, and I’m always eager to explore new approaches that contribute to personal growth and well-being. Finally, spending quality time with my family is essential for maintaining my personal balance and grounding me outside of work.

What’s something about you that might surprise people who only know you in a professional setting?

Many people might be surprised to learn that, outside of work, I’m quite spontaneous and love stepping out of my comfort zone. Whether it’s trying new activities, exploring unfamiliar places, or attending unexpected events, I thrive on new experiences. Ultimately, that’s probably why Groupon is such a great fit for me, haha. I’ve found that embracing spontaneity not only keeps life exciting but also fuels my creativity, bringing a fresh perspective to my professional work —and it allows me to meet new people along the way.

If you could swap lives with any fictional character for a day, who would you choose and why?

I'd choose Tintin, solving detective stories while travelling the world, the dream life! (especially when accompanied by Snowy).

What's the most adventurous thing you've ever done, and would you do it again?

I did a bungee jump when I was 14 in Florida with my host family. It was terrifying, but the thrill was unforgettable! Would I do it again? Absolutely — with maybe a little less fear this time!

If you could host a dinner with any historical figure, who would you invite and what would be the one question you’d want to ask them?

I'd love to cook a meal for Michael Jackson— I know it’s a bit of a tricky answer. He's been my favorite artist since I was four, and I still can't get over the fact that he passed when I had tickets for his London concert in January 2010. If I could ask him one question, it would be: “Could you please put on a private show for me?”

If you could instantly master any skill or talent, what would it be and why?

I’d choose to speak every language fluently. The world would open up in ways I can’t even imagine, and I’d love to connect with people everywhere!

What's the most embarrassing song on your playlist that you secretly love?

Oh, I have so many from the 90s and 2000s! But let’s go with Diam’s “La Boulette” — she’s a famous French artist, and this hit is pretty much inevitable for every girl of my generation. Who am I kidding, even the guys were hooked on it! It’s just one of those songs that gets you every time.

And finally, what was the last Groupon you bought?

A Head Spa! I’ve always wanted to try one, and I’m so glad I found one on Groupon. I’ve already booked my appointment for next week! Can’t wait for the relaxation to kick in.