Bravera Bank
Dynamic Duos: Jill Seftner and Jenifer Porter
Like a pen needs ink to function, Bismarck Customer Care Representatives Jill Seftner and Jenifer Porter work best together. The former elementary teachers have known each other for years and have been friends since day one.
How long have you worked together?
Jen: Jill and I are both former elementary teachers. We both started out as reading specialists for Bismarck Public Schools. Jill went on to have her own classroom, but I stayed on as a reading specialist for my entire career. We have been friends since 2008. Jill is the best at everything she does. She is such a kind and caring person, and she has the most loving charisma; everyone is drawn to her. I am so lucky to have Jilly Bean for my best friend.Jill: This is the first time Jen and I have actually been able to work together in the same place. We’ve known each other since 2008, but we always taught in different buildings for Bismarck Public Schools, so this is a real treat to be able to work with her in the same office!
Why did you pick a pen and ink as your pairing?
Jen: We chose the pen and ink because we both love all things literacy and reading! We love amazing quotes that touch the heart, and of course, wonderful literature that teaches a positive lesson and promotes peace and kindness. Literature is amazing!
Jill: We chose this because we met when we were both reading teachers, and we thought this would be a good connection to explain us. We both have a tremendous love for literacy.
What is the best part about working with each other?
Jen: The best part of working together is that Jill and I get one another! I feel as though I have known her my whole life. I trust her with my life! She is a blessing from God. Jill has seen me at my worst, and she loves and accepts me anyway! We think alike and we both have huge, enormous hearts, and we care deeply about making a positive difference in this world. I know Jilly Bean will always catch me if I fall. She has my back, and I will always have hers! Her support means the world to me!
Jill: Jen is such a warm, compassionate person. She is exactly the type of person our customers want to hear on the other end of the phone. She is the hardest worker I know and will do her absolute best to solve any problem or go to extreme lengths to find the answer.
How does working together help you better serve customers?
Jen: Jill is amazing! We share a love for organization, and she helps me every day! There is a lot to remember, and Jill has always stopped and taken the time to teach me, train me, and show me the most efficient ways to accomplish each task. She shares procedure pages and important information with me. We hope to develop cheat sheets and a training manual to help new customer care representatives have quick access to the important procedures we work with daily. Jill is a brilliant co-worker, and I learn so much from her every day! She freely shares her knowledge with all the customer care representatives. Jill is a born teacher!
Jill: Jen is such an incredible role model. I like to sit near her because she gives excellent customer service and care to everyone, even the most difficult cases. I learn from her sincerity and professionalism, and her calm demeanor gives off a great morale-boosting vibe! Bravera Bank is so lucky to have her talents!
What have you learned from each other?
Jen: I have learned so much from Jill! It is hard to narrow down my list, but I think I have learned from her organization and her calm direction. She has always been available to me when I have felt overwhelmed or felt as though I was drowning. Her patient and calm demeanor has helped me every day! We both care about helping and serving others in our work. We both are servant leaders and we both have an outstanding work ethic because we learned from the best: our parents! We both try to do our very best even when no one is looking!
Jill: From Jen, I have learned patience and empathy. She is a nurturing person who wants the best solutions for our customers, and it’s great to speak with a smile on your face, as she always does. You can hear her beautiful smile through the phone and her upbeat, chipper voice. Customers love her and give her lots of well-deserved compliments.
What do you do for fun at work?
Jen: Jill and I will break out into song if someone says a catchphrase like a commercial we both know. For instance, “If you have heartburn, reflux, indigestion, diarrhea you need Pepto-Bismol!” Or, “I’d like to teach the world to sing,” from the Coca-Cola commercial. Or it could be a great song from the ’70s and ’80s! We laugh, share stories, or interesting trivia we read about or hear on the news. The Thunderdome is very busy, but it is fun to share a joke, a riddle, or a funny situation. This builds our community.
Jill: We giggle a lot about some of the circumstances we encounter during the day. We don’t have a lot of downtime at work for socializing, but when we do, it’s fun to just share stories. We also have random belting out of song lyrics, potlucks, and a commonly shared plethora of catchphrases to get us through the day.
What makes Bravera a great financial partner for customers?
Jen: Bravera Bank has so many wonderful products and services for their customers. Our world is changing and the information highway is constantly growing. Bravera is ahead of the pack in providing the latest services in banking online for each customer. All of the services at Bravera Bank are user-friendly for customers and allow them to consistently monitor their accounts and have their accounts at their fingertips. Bravera Bank is available to each customer! This is a definite strength because we are building trust, honesty, reliability, and positive partnerships with our customers.
Jill: I think the products and services we provide, ease of user-friendly options on the online banking platform, and a results-driven mentality for problem-solving make our bank a comfortable place for our customers. They appreciate that we do all we can to accommodate their needs.