So I’ve now got a full year under my belt in business technology sales, and oddly enough, I’m feeling the need to talk (O.K., write) about it. Those of you who know me, probably remember that I spent 11 years in the office equipment industry, which is where I built some great client relationships. In the early summer of 2010, I made the move to New Frontiers Solutions, a local CLEC (Competing Local Exchange Carrier…or “telephone and internet service provider” to those of us who despise acronyms) with an IT division specializing in managed services (more on this in an upcoming blog…I promise!). I realize now, that back then, I had no idea what I was getting into.
As a sales rep for a local copier company, I was certain that my knowledge of the equipment and technologies I sold, along with my firm belief that customer service is always first and foremost, was enough to put me at the very top of my field, and no one was better at this job than I was. (O.K., I realize that was borderline cocky…but it’s my blog, no sense in being falsely modest!)
My new career, however, is very different. Now, each and every morning as I walk through the front doors at New Frontiers, I fully realize that I’m the dumbest guy in the building. The network engineers and technicians that I work with are at the very top of their field, and it’s a great feeling to know that my efforts are backed by such a competent staff. However, from a sales perspective, at least two dilemmas arise from this: First of all, sometimes it seems there are simply not enough hours in the day to completely familiarize myself with all of the voice, data, communications and network technologies that our engineers are capable of providing to our clients. Secondly, many of the clients I work with, and possibly the ones that could benefit most from these technologies, know even less about these technologies than I do…and that’s the main reason for the effort behind this blog. (I know, I know…it took me long enough to get here!)
My hope is, that by blogging every few weeks about one of the technology solutions that I offer, maybe some of my clients will be able to take advantage of the hours I spend each week doing research and bombarding my grey matter with information about these technology-related products and services. And who knows, maybe my ramblings will generate some feedback and discussion with my clients (and prospective clients) regarding the topics about which I’ve blogged. And maybe…just maybe…the information found here will cause one of my clients to pick up the phone and call me on my direct line at 240-675-9725 to discuss how these technologies could benefit their business or organization. (C’mon, don’t look so shocked…I warned you in the first sentence that I was in sales!)
Here’s hoping that my blogging serves some purpose for you.
Brian
bmerson@centricbiz.com
bmerson@centricbiz.com
