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The UK Reseller Sales Manager reveals what it’s like to work for one of the founding fathers of modern audio technology solutions…
What’s involved in being a reseller sales manager?
As reseller sales manager for Sennheiser I’m responsible for an array of accounts who I work with to promote Sennheiser’s range of conferencing and headset solutions to end-user corporate customers.
My wide roster of clients offer an eclectic mix, for example Best4Systems is a family run business that has a completely different feel to some of the larger international resellers I work with. As a reseller sales manager I get the best of both worlds, whether its progressing global opportunities with CDW or working with some of the smaller tighter teams at Best4Systems, where I know each sales person by first name.
What’s your favourite thing about working in the tech channel?
I am a problem solver, and my favourite thing about working in the tech channel is that we are legitimately finding technology solutions perfectly adapted for business needs on a daily basis. Providing long-term, future proof solutions that positively impact on productivity and the enjoyment of work is hugely rewarding.
One of my biggest driving forces is that my job also allows me to make a difference in career development. Working with some of the “young guns” at Softcat is something I thrive on, their competitive graduate program means that I’m constantly collaborating with bright young things in the industry who are the future sales mavens in the channel.
Are there any interesting projects you’re working on at the moment?
We are currently working on a really exciting project with the BBC. We are providing the best technology solutions to fulfill the broadcasters objectives at every level across the business – supplying Sennheiser products to match each department and each individual’s needs. At an operations level, we are working with Arkadin on rolling out up to 22,000 headsets for staff across the broadcaster’s staff and aiding a transition to Skype for Business. By extension, this has marked a huge culture change for the BBC, who are removing all of their desk phones and will use Skype for Business exclusively.
What are the best things about working for Sennheiser?
Sennheiser is one of the founding fathers of modern audio technology solutions, and they continue to lead and innovate in the field with our cutting edge devices. The business is still privately owned and run by the grandchildren of our founder Dr. Fritz Sennheiser so there is a real family feel and heritage to the company even though we are a large multinational firm.
As a multinational with quality products, we sometimes have the opportunity to work with some of the world’s biggest artists. Our Sennheiser Microphones are used by the likes of Ed Sheeran, Beyoncé, and Adele which I have to say is pretty cool – it’s also a great proofpoint for our customers to know that Sennheiser is the brand that’s trusted by artists at the top of their game when they need to perform on stage.
If you could change/improve one thing about the tech industry, what would it be?
The tech industry is male dominated, so I’d like to see more women developing a passion for tech and pursuing careers in the industry. Women need to be encouraged to consider careers in our industry as a viable option. I am constantly telling women not to worry and to just go for it, don’t be afraid about stepping into a room full of men, don’t be afraid of coming across as commanding or being viewed as “bossy”.
I find it frustrating that women remain severely underrepresented in the industry when we make up half of all tech users. We need to demonstrate that there is so much variety in IT to women, and that you can really take pride in being at the forefront of innovation and advancement in technology.
What do you think will be the next big thing in tech?
The technology revolution has transformed all industries, and we’re now seeing accelerated development in areas such as healthcare and transportation. Some of the biggest challenges were now facing – carbon emissions, plastic waste, housing supply and healthcare issues require technology solutions. To whittle down what the one next big thing will be is impossible, sector to sector we are seeing massive change in a relatively short time frame. With my lens on the audio in industry we can expect to see more developments in unified communications, 3D immersive audio, automation and voice control.
Jane Wheeler can be reached at Jane.Wheeler@sennheiser.com
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