Ian Elam – Senior Consultant
I was first introduced to the team at Sales Engine in 2022, when I was working as CRO for a Learning and Development consultancy. Steve Robinson (Founder & CEO of Sales Engine) provided invaluable insight, helping the business build a compelling story that enabled that business to raise Angel Funding. I turned to Sales Engine again in 2023, this time to help transform a bid management function for FTSE 250 consultancy.
What made Sales Engine stand out was the diversity and depth of skills and knowledge within the team. Everyone is a seasoned practitioner, with the scars to prove it! What was also evident is they were a team, that acted as a team, so when the opportunity arose in 2024 to join, I jumped at it.
My introduction (and love of sales) started at the tender age of fourteen, working Saturdays in a local shoe shop. We were heavily commissioned (which was all the incentive I needed). Watching the owner I quickly figured out that sales was about asking great questions, coupled with enough product knowledge to be dangerous. Thirty something years on, with a CV that spans Fast Track 100 companies and FTSE global businesses this observation (and my love of sales) still holds true.
The challenge for most sales people is getting the opportunity to get in front of the right people, and to earn the right to ask those great questions. Companies are competing daily for time with key decision makers, to win that battle it takes research, careful planning, a powerful sales and marketing tool kit and a range of techniques. Sales isn’t for the faint hearted, or the “wingers” and that’s why I love it.
I’m really looking forward to working with a range of business in 2024 to help them enhance their sales operations and team and ultimately win more.
You can connect with Ian on LinkedIn or email him at ielam@salesengine.co.uk