1. Tell us about the highlights of your Sales career to date:

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After finishing my economics degree I decided to get into the finance sector and got into trading at a merchant bank. After spending a few years in that role, I got a promotion and decided to stay with them a few more years before moving on to my current company whom I have been with ever since and now manage a large sales trading team. 

 

2. Why did you choose to enter the world of sales?

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I kind of fell into it after University however Sales is such a crucial part of any successful business, within every industry making it a solid career to progress with.

 

3. What is it you love most about working in the sales industry and why?

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In the financial services sector our activity is regulated by economic and political developments however I love how it evolves at such a fast pace. It is so important to understand our products well to ensure we meet the needs of our clients which is something I truly love about my job. 

 

4. Are there any important tips you would give to sales professionals looking to take their careers to the next level?

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For my sector, I strongly advise on being continually curious while enthusiastic at the same time. Some of the models you first come across initially might seem complex but through sheer determination and perseverance, eventually they will just click with you. Then through continuous learning and more experience over time, the value of each product starts to make true sense where you will be able to tailor them to the needs of each client you service and appreciate how they plug into the economic system we operate within. 

 

5. What would be your motivational advice to salespeople that are going through a bit of a slump?

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There is a great quote that I swear by from Roy Bennett which is that "If you don’t give up on something you truly believe in, you will find a way." I often tell my sales team that with every great success, there will always be a few brick walls that get in the way - our mindset and attitude to these walls will define how quickly we are able to break them down.

 

6. Do you recommend any useful digital sales tools, platforms or sales training courses that can help sales professionals raise their games?

 

I did a Mastering Sales course from Kellogg Business School last year which I'd highly recommend to any sales professionals looking to excel their sales strategy and think a bit more outside the box. 

 

7. In your opinion, what are the 3 most important traits that make salespeople successful?

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Attitude, determination and teamwork.

 

8. What do you feel will be the future key trends that sales professionals need to adapt to and be ready for?

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I think new technology and further advancements of the latest sales tools (including AI) will add greater strings to the bows of salespeople and those that embrace this will excel over the ones who do not.