What is your role at Avvo? How long have you worked here?
I am a Sales Training Manager. My fellow trainer and I onboard all new sales associates and provide support to the business with ongoing training to the sales department. I’ve been at Avvo for just over one year.
What is the sales team’s main function at Avvo?
The sales team’s main function is to generate revenue. Our Account Executives do that by offering our products and services to attorneys. Once they are a customer of ours, the Account Management team makes sure that each attorney is making full use of what Avvo has to offer.
Why do you enjoy being a Sales Training Manager?
My favorite part about training is the “ah-ha” moments, you know when you see it on someone’s face. It’s this look of “I get it.” I enjoy training in general because I like seeing people succeed. Every career path has a starting point and I feel that I get to participate in setting employees off in the right direction.
What is your favorite thing about working at Avvo?
The people…all the way! Not one of the people on our team is “along for the ride.” Not only are they good at what they do, they care about the people they support and have a vested interest in the success of the company. There is so much talent here, we can’t help but learn new things from each other.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out their career in Sales?
Be hungry and don’t get discouraged. You’ll hear “no” a lot more than you will hear “yes.” Also, be prepared for constant change. Expect it, embrace it, and adapt.
What are the top two to three traits you typically see in successful salespeople?
- Strong work ethic. Sales people who come in knowing they need put in the work and perfect their method to get to the top seem to be more successful (regardless of how long they’ve been in sales). The ones that expect deals to be handed to them, or have the “I’ve sold before, this will be so easy” attitude don’t do as well.
- Positive attitude, no matter how bad it seems, the successful ones stay positive.
- Early adopters of new process and techniques.
What’s your favorite movie? Book?
At the moment…
Movie: Reservoir Dogs
Book: The Alchemist
When you aren’t at work, what do you like to do?
Golfing, camping, fishing, bike riding, skateboarding, motorcycle riding, and sporting events (baseball/football)
Name one thing you love about Seattle, and one thing you don’t like at all.
I like the summer and I’m not too crazy about the traffic.
Favorite app?
Snapchat is my jam at the moment.
Favorite device?
My favorite device is my Xbox 360 (still), but my all time favorite device is Nintendo 64!