Our business development manager and social butterfly
It’s high time we introduced you to our new business development manager, Jenni Wynn. A self-professed chatterbox with a knack for building relationships, she’s joined SPI to support our brilliant clients, grow new connections and help drive the business forward. So, put the kettle on and take five, because we’re brewing up with Jenni.
Tell us how you landed in sales and BD?
Growing up, I’d always envisaged I’d be a singer, but life has a habit of throwing you curveballs and that moment on stage hasn’t come calling (yet!).
I got an opportunity to work at a telesales company and discovered I was pretty good at selling. By the age of 19 I was selling office supplies for a Xerox concession and worked my way up through the company by putting the hours in and getting good results.
I’ve been selling ever since, working mainly within the office supplies sector, dabbling in a bit of signage too.
What do you like about sales?
There’s nothing worse than a hard sell. For me it’s all about building relationships with people. I’m a people person and will talk to anyone. With my customers I see my role as building relationships and helping them. I’m someone they trust, and I take the stress away from them by helping them solve their problem.
And I get a real buzz when I land a new customer. In BD, the sales cycle is long, so it might take two years of relationship building, but that makes it all the sweeter when they come on board. People naturally come to you when they can trust you.
How do you help oil the SPI machine?
I support Joe Jnr to keep the business’s pipeline nice and healthy. The team here does such a top job, both in the products they produce and the service they give customers so they’re making my job nice and easy! It’s all about shining a light on them and making more people aware of what we offer…
What drew you to SPI?
I was drawn to the team and the fact that it’s a family-run business. Everyone’s down to earth and people are trusted to get on with what they do best. That’s how I like to work.
What are you looking forward to getting your teeth into?
In my previous role we sold a bit of signage here and there, but this is a step change for sure. I’m looking forward to getting to know the actual products and the way things are made. The construction industry is such an exciting sector and I’m glad to be working more closely in it.
Describe your perfect working day
For me, the best thing is feeling like you’ve had a productive day. That doesn’t have to mean placing lots of orders but perhaps having some valuable conversations or making a new contact out of the blue.
I love a networking event so that would probably feature, and getting to see around a customer’s premises and learn about their processes.
What keeps you busy in your spare time?
I love to travel, and most recently had the chance to explore Thailand.
On a typical week, if I’m not at work or with family I’m usually found in the gym – I go six times a week if I can. Boxing is one of my favourite things to do at the gym, it’s a great way to get tension out of your body and let off steam if you’ve had a tough day. I recently persuaded my gym instructor to set up a class.
