Curiosity & consistency: how one CSM made President's Club in 2 years

What drives someone to leave their comfort zone and join a new company? For Cameron Tait, Manager of Customer Success for Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) SMB, it was the vision for a better product and a better experience for customers. After experiencing firsthand how difficult and disconnected CRM systems could be, Cam found his future at HubSpot. Less than two years later, he's made President's Club and was promoted to management.

Finding His Orange Future

Based in Australia and working remotely, Cam brought experience in marketing and CRM—both as a customer and partner consultant. He knew the pain points intimately.

"I grew frustrated with how slow, hard and disconnected life was in another CRM—particularly for the marketing persona—so when a recruiter reached out I knew my future was orange!"

After his first HubSpot application wasn't the right fit, Cam persisted and joined as a Senior Customer Success Manager (CSM) in the ANZ Mid-Market team. His trajectory: promoted to Team Lead, promoted to Principal CSM in 2024, earned President's Club, and most recently, promoted to Manager of the the ANZ SMB team.

The President's Club Push

Cam was on leave when a colleague messaged: "CAM! You're going to P-Club!"

"I'd seen the leaderboard towards the end of the year and knew I had a shot—albeit a long one," Cam shares. After setting a stretch goal with his manager, he became laser-focused on turning around customers and firming up renewals. "That north star definitely drove the 'last-mile' effort in me."

With hundreds of talented individuals in Customer Success, but limited President's Club spots, Cam's dedication paid off—he finished 2024 as number three CSM Globally.

[Pictured Right: Cam with previous manager Hayley Chilver who also earned a place at President’s Club)

What Fuels His Passion

Having lived through systems that were "hard, slow and disconnected," HubSpot's commitment to being "easy, fast and unified" resonates deeply with Cam.

"HubSpot's dedication to a single code base, the fast pace of development, and a commitment to AI are what keep me turning up every day with passion and drive."

This product belief translates directly into his work, helping customers solve the very problems he once faced.

The Secret Ingredient: Curiosity

When CEO Yamini Rangan asked top performers at a roundtable, "What qualities are behind your success?" Cam's answer was immediate: curiosity.

"Curiosity is my number one habit—for both people and product. As a CSM, you're served extremely well by being curious about the customer, becoming technically adept and a subject matter expert with our tools and technology."

But curiosity extends beyond customers. "From a professional growth perspective, curiosity for your colleagues will open your eyes to new skills and open your ears for valuable feedback."

From this foundation, the mechanical qualities of success naturally follow: consistency, reliability, quality consulting, and knowing your numbers.

Celebrating Success in Budapest

President's Club 2024 took Cam and his partner Dean to Budapest, where they explored the famous baths, Buda Castle, and local cuisine—logging over 25,000 steps per day.

"Budapest is an incredible and picturesque city! But equally memorable was taking a moment to unwind and celebrate with some of my favourite colleagues at the official events."

Advice for Future President's Club Winners

Cam's guidance for aspiring President's Club members is clear:

• Understand the product deeply. Know HubSpot's capabilities inside and out.
• Visualize how each customer can win with HubSpot's solutions, not just how to hit your numbers.
• Keep customer goals top of mind over personal metrics. The best performers put customer success first, knowing their numbers will follow.
• Collaborate across teams. Working with CSMs who carry the voice of the customer and valuable insights makes all the difference.

"No matter which team you are on, the difference between 'good' and 'great' is going to come down to curiosity and consistency."

The Bottom Line

Cam's journey from frustrated CRM user to President's Club winner and SMB CS Manager shows what's possible when passion meets product belief. His story reminds us that success isn't just about hitting numbers—it's about genuine curiosity, consistent effort, and unwavering commitment to Customer Success.

Interested in exploring Customer Success, Sales or other opportunities at HubSpot? Check out our open roles and find more information on at HubSpot Careers.