Get to know the Brandworkz team a little better with our new interview series. First up this month is John Smit our New Business/Channel Sales Manager who has some very exciting news to announce!
- How long have you worked at Brandworkz?
About a year and a half now – it’s absolutely flown by!
- What does a typical day look like for you?
I could give you the glib ‘no day is typical’ here, but in reality, it depends on whether we’ve got a pitch on or not. If we’re in full RFP mode, then it’s either writing responses or chasing answers from members of the team. Otherwise, it’s a combination of speaking to our ever-growing partner network, catching up with existing prospects or trying to find more people who need brand management support.
- What’s the best thing about your job?
I like people a lot. What’s great about a sales role, in particular, is that you get to talk to a broad range of people and understand more about their current work pain points. Then you get to show them how all these problems can be solved. My favourite moment, however, is when you can show them something they didn’t expect, and you get that ‘oh wow’ reaction. That’s great.
- Is there anything you don’t like?
It turns out that I’m quite impatient! I want things to happen quickly and having to (understandably) wait for companies to sign off on things can lead to a lot of frustration. Thankfully I’m learning to curb this slightly in my older age…
- What is your favourite thing about working at Brandworkz?
It’s going to sound corny, but I’m going with the people. There’s a great team around me and, because we’re quite a small organisation in the grand scheme of things, everyone looks out for everyone else. It’s also something our clients have mentioned, so I don’t feel too bad rolling that answer out.
- Best memory so far?
It’s got to be the work Christmas party! It was a real work hard, play hard moment – with a lot of laughter, food and drink throughout the day. It really sums up my previous point, I think. Yes, they are my colleagues, but they’re also people I go for a pint with at the end of the week.
- How has Brandworkz changed since the time you’ve been here?
Haha – what a question to ask during a lockdown! Well, the obvious one would be the whole working from home thing, but I’m also really impressed with the way we’re striving to keep ahead of the curve. From the rebrand to the focus on new technologies and features (watch this space!) it’s something that shows the longer-term benefits of the company as well as the quick wins.
- If a new person was starting at Brandworkz, what would your one piece of advice to them be?
Ask questions. It’s the best advice I was ever given when I first changed jobs. It feels like you’re intruding, but it’s so much easier to get answers from the people who know what they’re doing than trying to work out things yourself in those early stages. It’ll mean you learn quicker and can provide value from an earlier stage. Oh yeah, and always buy the first round…
- What is your favourite brand right now, and why?
I think Mars have reacted really well to the current climate – listening to their consumers and revisiting their brand names to ensure they’re not promoting racial stereotypes. It’s so crucial for brands to listen to their market and react, and I think Mars have got it spot on in this regard. Special mention to the Washington Football Team for their rebrand, but I’m an Arizona Cardinals fan, so I’m not going to shout too loudly about that!
- Tell us something about yourself that the rest of them might not know?
That I’m going to be a father! With lockdown etc. I’ve not really had the right time to tell the wider team, so there’s bound to be a few people that still don’t know.
