Age Only a Number for Gases and Welding Salespeople
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New and veteran salespeople share their experiences and the challenges they face.
Dewitt, NY - The differences between the generations in the work force have been well documented. But, surely, those differences don't transfer over to the gases and welding sales force, do they? Salespeople are salespeople, right? Well, think again. For the July issue of the premiere magazine for young professionals in the industry, GAWDA Edge spoke with sales professionals on both sides of the generation gap to find out what makes them tick. As part of its continued commitment to helping young professionals further their careers in the gases and welding industry, GAWDA Edge features an article entitled "A Tale of Two Generations."
When it comes to sales, the younger generation knows it is not always easy to gain a customer's confidence. "When talking to an experienced welding foreman or a president who may be 30 years older than me, I can't waltz in and earn his respect right away," says Zach Grey, territory manager at nexAir (Memphis, TN). "Over time, I have to prove myself and gain his trust." Part of earning respect is possessing a strong knowledge-base about products and processes. According to Brandi Franca, beverage sales consultant at General Air Service and Supply Company (Denver, CO), the best way to learn is from veteran colleagues. "The best resource General Air has is its experienced employees. I follow them around and pick their brains to learn as much as I can."
Veteran salespeople like Bruce Nuttall, sales manager at Mississippi Welders Supply Company (Winona, MN), know that the learning process for a salesperson is never over. To keep up with new information, it's important to be able to adapt and embrace technology. "There's so much information right at your fingertips that wasn't there when I started," says Nuttall. "Online training makes it easy to learn about products and processes." And when it comes to technology, these veterans are no slouches. Chuck Meyer, vice president of sales at Lefeld Welding & Steel Supplies (Coldwater, OH), stays abreast of the industry through GAWDAwiki, an online resource for gases and welding terms and industry news. "When I'm looking for answers quickly, GAWDAwiki is a great source of information."
To read more about the industry's new and experienced salespeople, head over to www.gawdaedge.org and check out the latest issue of GAWDA Edge, the online resource for young professionals in the gases and welding industry.
For more information, contact Devin O'Toole, editor of GAWDA Edge, at editor@gawdaedge.org or 315-445-2347.
About GAWDA
Founded in 1945, the Gases and Welding Distributors Association (GAWDA) is the premier source for manufacturing knowledge, education and networking. Through its member journals (www.weldingandgasestoday.org), e-magazines, newsletters and industry wiki (www.gawdawiki.org), GAWDA connects suppliers of gases and manufacturers of related equipment as well as manufacturers of welding equipment and distribution leaders, for the purpose of safely delivering optimal solutions to the users of those products. GAWDA publications are the industry's voice for all matters related to the latest technology and the most up-to-date processes spanning welding equipment and products and services related to industrial, medical, specialty and cryogenic gases. A 501(c)3 organization, GAWDA members are located throughout North America.
