Employee spotlight: Ali Kell 

What makes 84.51˚ an intriguing company? Is it the flexible hybrid work options, the free food regularly found around the office or the challenging problems that we tackle? While these aspects are undoubtedly great, it’s the people that make working here truly special. Check out our Employee Spotlight series to learn more about who we are and the unique traits of our teammates.  

Hometown: St. Paul, MN     Office Location: Cincinnati, Ohio     Start Date: April 2014     Job title: Lead Consultant    

Describe your role.

I’m on our Loyalty, Strategy and Rewards team. I support our Boost by Kroger Plus membership program. It’s a fun, innovative space to work in as I help define the strategic direction for our paid loyalty program. I spend a lot of time measuring what we’re doing and determining our go forward plans based on the results. I love the fact that I get to work with so many different teams within 84.51° and Kroger. I find it highly rewarding to help the company deliver more value for our customers, associates, and shareholders. I may be biased, but I think one of the most important things a company can do is invest in loyalty and reward its loyal customers.   

How long have you worked in consulting and what inspired you to pursue this field?

I have thirteen years of experience in merchandising, sales, and loyalty. I’ve always been fascinated by consumer behavior and the why behind everything we do as consumers.  

What interested you in joining 84.51°? 

The work that 84.51° did was what interested me the most. I was a District Sales Manager at Coca-Cola at the time and wanted to get into consumer research. I was interviewing with Nielsen when a friend of mine suggested that I look into dunnhumby, and the rest is history. 

What has been the most memorable experience or favorite project you’ve worked on?

I would have to say launching Boost. When I started on the team, we didn’t have a single Boost member. In the past three years, Boost has launched and evolved quite a bit! I actually just swung into a store this morning and was taken aback by one of the milk doors. It had multiple Simple Truth milk items featuring Boost on the package. The milk items themselves were on Boost Member pricing and there was a QR code on the door encouraging customers to start their free trial. It’s wild to me to think about how far we’ve come in three years and it’s exhilarating to think about where we’ll be in another three years! 

What’s your favorite part about working at 84.51°? Do you have a favorite benefit or perk that is offered?

I’ve always said that my favorite part of 84.51° is the culture. What I’ve learned more recently is that ultimately, it’s the people that make the culture. I know I am incredibly fortunate to love what I do and get to work with amazing people every day. It’s a rarity in today’s world to look forward to Monday morning! 

What advice would you give to those who are considering working in this field?

Learn how to tell a good story. I stumbled across this quote the other day and loved it:  

“Your strategy is only as good as your ability to articulate it.” – Bob Iger 

To be successful in this field, you certainly have to be curious and analytical. But I think the most important skill is effective communication. Can you communicate what matters most in a 30-second elevator ride and expand on why that matters in a 3-hour meeting? Do you know how to personalize your message based on who you’re talking to? Every meeting you walk into, you should know what your message is (no more than three key points) and what your ask is.  

What do you like to do in your free time outside of work hours?

My happy place is running and writing (just not at the same time). My husband and I have two young daughters (ages two & six), so I find joy in just being with them having fun, eating ice cream and going to the swimming pool!