Job Responsibilities
Our company is the Master Distributor of wifi antennas and wifi
wireless solutions in Asia. We supply the hardwares to ISPs.
When we were being aproached on marketing these products, I had
ZERO knowledge. My country is one that everything is spoon-fed
by the Government. All we know is use whatever is given and we
do not ask. Since I was totally new to this, I spent 1 week with
the manufacturer to fully understand the products. I reserched
on the Internet 8 hours a day, to improve my knowledge. I
printed out infomations to absorb after office hours. My
responsibilities are to introduce the brand to Asia, and market
the products. I planned my moves to Indonesia. I called several
ISPs to be involved. I was posted few challenges on the
performance of the products. I addressed to their concerns about
the performances. In Indonesia, the traffic flows of the
broadband are extremely heavy. Due to that, they have very bad
connections and they do not have good distances of networks. The
Maximum distance they get between points are only 600m. Besides
that, they mixed and matched their equipment and they have void
warranties. I took up the challenge and flew in the engineers
from manufacturer and we had a big war in Indonesia. We planned
a demonstration on our products. We spent 2 weeks in indonesia
to set up the whole demo, and we managed to max out the distance
to 13 km. My company paid for all the expenses. We have many
discussions and on-the spot trial and error. We gave the local
engineers a crash course on the technical aspects. We tought
them how to operate the systems and how to prevent down times.
We had hard time in Indonesia due to the langguage barriers.
Most of the locals do not speak English! Besides learning on the
products I had to grab every chance to learn another langguage!
After the set up of the demonstration equipment, we invited some
big local boys to witness the success of the link ups. They were
amazed by the distance we got. We appointed one company to be
the sole distributor in that area and we supported them in all
ways for the marketing of our products. Through Instant
Messengers I stay on-line for the support. AT the same time, I
am repeating what I did in Indonesia to find new markets. I
spend time on the Internet lookinf for potential buyers and
distributors, I read up on the wireless scenes on my targeted
markets. I make appointments to meet up and explain our products
to clients (or some even from other trades). I put up my
products on trade portals. Apart from all these, I also look up
on other similar products to understand the differences. I
compiled my own 'bible' on wireless and share them with people
who are interested in knowing more. I burnt CDs to give away and
I do follow ups to keep their interests burning. That is my job!
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Job Requirements
As sales and marketing personel, all you need is an out-going
personality and interest in upgrading yourself. In most of the
companies here in Singapore, an 'A' Level certification is a
must, with good spoken English. As for my line of products,
kowledge of basic networking is an advantage. Attending seminars
on related field is required, and classes to improve knwoledge
may be provided. Willing to travel and work over time is a plus.
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Uppers
The best part of the job is to be able to travel around the world, meet new
people, new things and broaden the horizon of knowledge. As marketing personal
we
get to enetertain customers, and you receive respects from people of the
different trades, and you have lots of chances to improve yourself! Langguage is
one of the most common. Not to mention you also receive gifts from
clients...(some sorts of briberies?? :P) You will also be on the lead on
knowledges of new products and you are prioritised to test new products.
Companies of different trades will approach you to add their products into your
marketing lists. Especially if you are familiar in the market oversea, youare
being respected very much and your says counts. The boss has to listen to you
because you are physically there and you know the most! (plus plus points). Your
knowledges on different products will shock people of your own age.
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Downers
The worst part of the job is when you are at the introductory
stage of marketing a new product. Especially if the product
write-out is in foreign langguages. You have to crack your brain
to seize up the target audiences, and you need to spend alot of
time researching into the products as well as the market. Esp if
the product is new in the market, it is very irritating when you
are still not hitting the figures and your boss comes breathing
down your neck ask you for the figures. I hate it that I have to
do a marketing reports and you have to keep to the leadtime that
you wrote int he reports. But this reports is a necessity and it
does help in your carreer and when you are familar with it, it
is easy and you know what to expect in marketing any products.
It is time consuming and you cannot be disturbed while doing the
reports or all your ideas and figures will be lost in a snap of
fingers and you have to start all over... Begining marketing of
a new product is tedious. And you have to weigh if the product
is sellable. Try convincing your boss that a product has low
potential when he thinks other wise...your blood pressure
tripples up and you are being blamed for making you bosses's bp
shoots. Another downer is that when you see the potential of the
product and people around you says you are crazy (examples :
denture case?) Also, it is the worst to ask for budget
for 'market awareness'
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Lifestyle
This job definitely has a huge prospect. You are always on the
look outs for new and great products, and you are always in pace
with new technologies. When a product is dying out, prepared for
new products to replace and keep the sales volume up. To be well
established in this line, you have to keep improving yourself
and willing to learn. You never stop learning new things! Also,
as you are exposed to all types of people, remember to keep your
negative opinions only to yourself. Trust no one except
yourself. Keep an open mind and listen. If you are a quiet and
negative eprson, this line is not for you. You will be miserable
if you refuse to be thick-skined and talk to people, and your
sale figure always falls low. Treat people the way you want to
be treated. It's always true. Have a positive outlook on
everything, as whatever obstacles you meet is only a training
and test that makes you better. If there are more than one sales
& marketing people in the office, keep away from office politics
as far as possible. Be prepared to win, and loose. When you win,
make sure you win better, when you loose, reflect and make sure
you do not loose that badly in the future. The future is that
you will be leading and advising a team of sales personals,
training them and guiding them. The boss has to respect you on
your decisions and you can influence him to go where ever you
want him to go (evil). When you are a pro in marketing, there is
no products that you cannot sell, even the worst you can find.
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Compensation
My company pays me a basic salary, with bonuses depending on the
profit of the company. If the figur you bring in is more than
what is expected of you, you may request for commissions on your
own sales. Medical benefits are included, you can claim all
medical fees, including those for the slightest sicknesses. Life
and travelling insurances are a must. Our company is expanding
into other countries, and if the profit figures are real good,
we are offered to be partner of any newly set up oversea
branches.
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Advice to Jobseekers
This job definitely has huge prospect. You are always on the
look outs for new and great products, and you are always in pace
with new technologies. When a product is dying out, prepared for
new products to replace and keep the sales volume up. To be well
established in this line, you have to keep improving yourself
and willing to learn. You never stop learning new things! Also,
as you are exposed to all types of people, remember to keep your
negative opinions only to yourself. Trust no one except
yourself. Keep an open mind and listen. If you are a quiet and
negative eprson, this line is not for you. You will be miserable
if you refuse to be thick-skined and talk to people, and your
sale figure always falls low. Treat people the way you want to
be treated. It's always true. Have a positive outlook on
everything, as whatever obstacles you meet is only a training
and test that makes you better. If there are more than one sales
& marketing people in the office, keep away from office politics
as far as possible. Be prepared to win, and loose. When you win,
make sure you win better, when you loose, reflect and make sure
you do not loose that badly in the future. The future is that
you will be leading and advising a team of sales personals,
training them and guiding them. The boss has to respect you on
your decisions and you can influence him to go where ever you
want him to go (evil). When you are a pro in marketing, there is
no products that you cannot sell, even the worst you can find.
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