Name: Jon O’Hara
Position: Commercial Sales Manager
- What has your career path been?
I’ve worked in sales most of my career within industries ranging from financial services to timber buildings. My roles have required me to assess sales models and help restructure businesses to increase profits.
I like to pull all my experiences and qualifications together. Even from my childhood helping in my family’s retail business gave me insight to draw from. I learnt a lot watching and listening to my parents discussing profit and loss, margins plus all other aspects of running a business.
I’m also qualified as a Therapy Counsellor, which helps me manage the people in my teams. As sales is about understanding people. I also have a Diploma in Financial planning – so this comes in handy for producing reports and setting targets for my teams.
- Why Ben’s Gutters?
There are very few reputable and qualified companies in the UK who can offer a professional and well organised Commercial gutter clearing and cleaning service.
When I researched Ben’s Gutters, I was totally impressed with the business model and the substantial growth in the business in recent years. Bluntly put, I wanted to be part of this exciting business.
In my role I have been tasked to help expand the commercial department into our other sites in Manchester and in more recent times, our new site in Edinburgh. The prospect of expansion is very exciting for me and the business and will most certainly grow the sales and revenue to dizzy new heights.
- What is your current role like? What about it makes you want to get up in the morning?
I get the privilege of working with some fantastic and experienced people across all the relevant departments.
In my own department my team is full of great salespeople, they are all individually driven by success and they definitely work hard. I enjoy supporting them daily.
One of the best highlights in my job is getting to reward the team with fantastic restaurant meals with lavish menus that none of us can pronounce!
I am also fully supported by senior managers and Directors who are open to considering and discussing new ideas and suggestions that I have. Getting out of bed is no issue for me when I have all the above to look forward to.
- What does an average week look like for you?
My average week consists of daily and weekly sales planning, working with the marketing department, running morning “Sales Pledge” meetings, discussing team sales ideas and researching new markets with my team, as well as being a link between our sales and delivery team.
I am working on the roll out and expansion of the commercial department across our group which sees me discussing current vacancies and staff required with our own and dedicated recruitment team.
It’s also important to spend time for support and motivation for those sales staff who may be having a hard week. Of course, each week can bring new challenges which I enjoy finding solutions to.
- What are your career aspirations?
My aspiration is to eventually be fully responsible for the commercial teams across the Ben’s Gutters Group. I want to put the Commercial department firmly on our business map.
- Do you feel like you’re making a difference in your job?
I have been with the company for a relatively short period of time, but so far, the sales results have been very positive and increasing month on month.
We recently had the second largest sales month in the history of the Commercial department under my watch and so, yes, I believe the input I am providing is having an impact.
It won’t be too long before the team behind me will be smashing the existing commercial sales records!
- Are there any expectations you had about this career path that you have found differed from reality, in both a good and bad way?
I never enter a new role with expectations. Instead preferring to start with a clean sheet and work closely with the salespeople and the sales process.
I can then comfortably determine what needs tweaking, replacing, and introducing a new sales plan.
- What are the biggest challenges?
This is a great question but personally, challenges are situations, all situations have a solution.
Achieving targets can sometimes be a challenge/situation but if the team maintains motivation and focus, the targets can be met or as close as possible. It can be disheartening if we don’t succeed with the team target but it’s ok to brush ourselves down, reflect as a team and sometimes individually on the result and reset ourselves, ready for the days and new targets ahead.
Sales can be a roller coaster on occasions with your emotions. But if there is a good support mechanism in place to help refocus and steer the ship back on to its course, all will be well.
- What skills are the most crucial to succeeding in this career? What type of person do you need to be?
To be successful at Ben’s Gutters you will naturally need plenty of drive, focus, grit and determination. The great news is that the support from the management team and your peers at Ben’s Gutters is second to none. With the provided support, you would never be a million miles away from developing these qualities and bringing out the best in you. All potentially furthering your career and income.
The company ethos is a simple one, Production = Reward.
- What is the best bit of advice you have for someone looking to interview with Ben’s Gutters?
Be confident and dress casually but smart (trainers are not a good look in an interview). Do your research on the company and don’t be afraid to ask questions about the role or anything in general about Ben’s Gutters.
It always looks good if you have a genuine interest in your potential new employer!
Know your CV inside and out and when asked about your previous roles, discuss the areas from your CV with the interviewer that you feel will help in the new role with Ben’s Gutters.
Basically, be yourself, relax and you could be in a new job before you know it.
- Are there any aspects of the job that you wish were different?
Good question, but no!
I am more than happy with all aspects of my job. I may change some things in time but right now, I get to work with a great team across all departments, which makes everyday a joy to be part of.
