News in the Channel - issue #40

STOCKIES WINNER – SUPER SURFER

How important is it in sales to stand out from the crowd? LP: It is super important. There is so much competition out there it is impossible to compete unless you are willing to go the extra mile and that is what I try to do for my customers. I am available all hours and most of my customers know that. I’ve always had the mindset that if I put my mind to something, I can find a way to make it happen.

What is your favourite aspect of your job?

LP: It’s the relationship building, I have known some of my clients since starting out 15 years ago. I enjoy really getting to know their businesses, it's not just about selling IT solutions but helping them find the right fit for their business and this also helps push myself to keep learning. Most of the time I feel like I work for them as part of their organisation and will always go above and beyond to help my customers where I can.

It was a learning curve and I had to pick things up quickly as I went along. Looking back, I was thrown in at the deep end, but that’s probably what helped me learn so fast.

What do you enjoy about the IT channel?

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LP: It is such a great industry to work in, there are some great inspirational people that I really look up to, everyone seems to know someone from somewhere, but my favourite part is how rewarding it is. There are some amazing incentives from our vendors, and it is forever evolving.

Over the next 12 months, customers can expect continued investment in our eCommerce platform, with enhancements focused on speed, usability and deeper procurement integration.

How often do you use Stock in the Channel and how important is it in your role? LP: I use Stock in the Channel daily on my laptop and phone and honestly, I would feel lost without it. It all comes down to speed, getting quotes out quickly and ensuring goods are delivered on time and Stock in the Channel helps me achieve that. If there was no Stock in the Channel it would make my responses to customers 10 times slower, which would result in potential lost business. I use it for more than just checking stock, I find the configurators useful too. n

How has your career progressed? LP: I started my career knowing

very little about IT, working in the printer and consumables space before moving into an IT reseller. When I first joined, I was very quickly out of my comfort zone and within my first week a customer was asking me for a server and I honestly had no idea where to start. I just remember writing everything down and trying to piece it together and hoping I’d got it right. Guess it was ok as they are still a customer today.

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