Celebrating our 2023 All Stars: Shabbir Abdeali
At Three, we know the importance of recognising our people. Our 3Celebrates programme is our way of celebrating our people for living our values.
Throughout the year, employees send each other ‘thank you’ cards to show their appreciation of the work they have done. Anyone who receives a thanks can be selected as a Monthly Star, Annual Star or All Star and can receive special recognition along with financial awards.
At the end of last year, we announced our 2023 All Stars. Our All Stars are the individuals, stores and teams who truly excelled in living our Values.
All Stars were nominated by the Leadership teams and all their Thanks were reviewed by a judging panel of people from across the business.
Becoming an All Star is an amazing achievement, and we want to celebrate and learn more about the winners. Over the coming year, we’ll be interviewing our 2023 All Stars and the next in our series is Shabbir Abdeali.
Shabbir has demonstrated what the Aspiring Managers programme is all about, having a light bulb moment that people are the driving force behind their business and everything that we do. Following his completion of Aspiring managers and stepping into their new succumbing role, he was able to develop even further and bring his new store forward both commercially but also in the feedback they received from visits. He then moved stores again, bringing the team to consistent standards who deliver every single month. He’s always eager to help, whether it’s an ambassador role or looking for ways to help out and support the wider area and team. Shabbir really resonates with all the Three values and does so while delivering great experience to our customers in store.
Tell us about your role and your career to date at Three
I have been with Three for just over 2.5 years. I started off as a CA in Camden and after 5 months moved to Wood Green, where I was for just over a year. At Wood Green, I won two Christmas incentives and finished 4th in the first club 100 incentive. In February of 2023, I joined the Aspiring managers program and secured a step up ASM role at Chelsea. In September of 2023, I was made the permanent ASM in Strand.
How did being awarded an All Star make you feel and what does it mean to you?
Speechless if I’m honest!! (It’s not often I’m left speechless). When My AM presented me the Annual Star, I was so pleased about being recognised but to get an All Star – just really happy.
What are your favourite things about working at Three?
How long do you have? Haha, the culture to start with. I came from another Telco and Three really do put their staff first. Opportunities, I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for the opportunity I got to join aspiring managers.
What do our values mean to you and which one do you most connect with?
Values are everything, we all live our lives by values so for a company that has values that you understand and can work with, always help. I can’t say what particular value I connect with, but I think a bit of everything, keeps it well balanced.
What is the best career advice you ever received?
Work hard but work smart too. Stay true to yourself, your values and morals. What will be, will be. Everyone has their time.
How do you unwind/switch off from work?
Football. I’m a Fulham season ticket holder so when it’s 3pm on a Saturday afternoon, I’m at every home game, switched off from the world. I also love spending time with my 10 year old daughter.
Have you any plans for spending your All Star award.
No, nothing planed but my daughter and wife have already claimed half of the wow points.
How does receiving a 3celebrates make you feel and what do you like about the platform?
It’s always nice to get a Thank you card. It also means the person sending the card has made an effort, which makes it even better. The platform is great, easy to use and can be used from anywhere.
How do you ensure you use 3Celebrates to give back to your colleagues often?
On a monthly basis, sending thank you cards to my team is important to me.