I am very passionate about the field of marketing. It is sometimes a bigger challenge than I anticipated. (Pictures by Umoja Rock.)

Nicola Greaves is marketing officer of Butterfield Bank (Barbados) Limited.

Q: Are you where you always wanted to be?

A: Yes, I am very passionate about the field of marketing. It is sometimes a bigger challenge than I anticipated but divine guidance always helps me overcome the hurdles.

Q: What is your biggest professional challenge?

A: Balancing internal marketing and external marketing; you see, my job at Butterfield Bank is divided into these two main areas: managing internal communications to the staff on all marketing matters . . . this includes staff bulletins and all events; and managing external communications to customers and the general public, including advertising, public relations, written communications, signage and all-in branch décor.

Q: What are your biggest life challenges?

A: Dealing with difficult people; they are everywhere and cannot be avoided. I am the kind of person who likes to be in harmonious surroundings but sometimes I am in situations where I may have to confront people who can be unreasonable and sometimes downright rude.

Q: When you look to the future, what do you see?

A: There are several challenges ahead for most of us with the changing world economy. Many are predicting doom and gloom, but for those of us who remain positive and keep the faith there will still be wonderful things ahead; life will go on. No matter how expensive things become we will have food to eat, clothes to wear and places to live. For me, I am still looking forward to having a devoted loving husband, my own home and maybe even children and a dog.

Q: What is your favourite pastime?

A: Surprisingly, it is watching HGTV – Home & Garden Television. I get a lot of creative ideas for home decorating on that channel. Music is also a great passion of mine, as I play violin, trumpet and keyboard.

Q: What is your favourite meal?

A: It is hard to narrow it down to one meal . . . I just enjoy food on the whole, especially well-seasoned, properly cooked foods. Dessert is great, too!

Q: On Saturday nights where are you likely to be?

A: At home talking with my parents; they are a great inspiration to me and I appreciate their guidance and continued support. They spend most of their time helping other people as pastors of "Armour of Light Ministries" and never ask for anything in return.

Q: What upsets you the most?

A: Nosy people. I think one of the commandments should be: "Stop criticising what other people are doing and live life to please your God."

Q: What is your guiding philosophy?

A: The importance of living a balanced life.

There are four aspects to life: mental, physical, social and spiritual, and for those of us raised in the Christian faith, this can be found in Luke 2:52. Right now I have not been exercising much so I am suffering the consequences of an unbalanced life, but if all of us would follow this philosophy the world would become a better place.

Q: If you had a chance to run Barbados for a day, what would you do?

A: I would take the time to publicly thank the persons that have been good role models in the society for their dedication to excellence and good examples. It may not seem like much, but it is not very often that individuals are recognised or praised for the good things they do.