Find out the Secrets to Sales Mastery: A Conversation with Shaun Smith
With over 20 years of experience in the food and drink industry, Shaun Smith, General Manager at Birds Eye UK and Ireland, has a wealth of knowledge about what it takes to succeed in sales and leadership.
One thing that really hit home during Amanda's conversation was Shaun's emphasis on mastering the basics. Whether you're new to the field or not, Shaun believes it's crucial to take accountability, be in control, know your numbers and customers, and have a clear vision. He advises aiming higher than just meeting budgets and aligning goals with both customers and team members. This mindset not only drives success but paves the way for building a positive legacy.
Passion, Hard Work and Understanding Purpose
Shaun brought up the importance of passion and hard work. He talked about the value of selling products you're genuinely passionate about and putting in the hard work and collective effort to succeed. It’s a simple yet powerful reminder that staying motivated and committed can make all the difference in your sales journey.
Understanding the purpose behind your work and leadership is another cornerstone of Shaun's philosophy. This deeper purpose acts as a guiding principle, helping you focus your efforts and create meaningful impacts. To hear Shaun describe how this has shaped his own career was incredibly inspiring.
Leadership with Integrity
Shaun is also a big advocate for continuous learning and improvement. These traits are often what separates the good from the great in the sales world. His words are a valuable reminder that we should never stop developing our skills and expanding our knowledge.
He told me that he finds fulfillment in understanding his team’s motivations and supporting their personal and professional growth, and his view that challenges are opportunities for growth and innovation really resonates. His belief in turning challenges into opportunities through collective effort is a lesson we can all learn from.
Coaching and Mentoring
Coaching and mentoring play pivotal roles in Shaun’s leadership journey. Whether it’s formal or informal mentorship, these relationships have greatly impacted his career development. He continues to rely on coaching for personal growth, and spoke on the importance of learning and sharing experiences.
Authenticity and Creating a Positive Legacy
Authenticity is another critical aspect of Shaun’s leadership style. He shared how his initial career experience involved trying to fit into a corporate mould, but he soon realised the value of being true to himself. Leading with honesty, integrity, self-awareness, and humility has not only benefited his personal growth but also the organisations he’s been a part of.
He promotes a work culture that values diversity and encourages individuals to bring their authentic selves to the workplace. His efforts in equality and inclusion initiatives, inspired by his late grandfather, reflect his desire to create a positive impact.
One of the standout pieces of advice from Shaun was to treat people well and the importance of truly listening, it’s advice that he admits he has come to value more with time. He also emphasised that as aspiring leaders, we should focus on authenticity, listening, and embracing our individual values and strengths.
Shaun's Sales Secrets
Wrapping up our conversation, it's clear that Shaun’s career achievements are underpinned by these core principles. From starting in a sales graduate scheme, driving a bread van for Warburton's, to overseeing a 200-people commercial team at Birds Eye, Shaun’s journey is a testament to dedication, continuous learning, and authentic leadership.
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