We all know that there is no specific educational route into becoming a Sales Development Representative. That doesn’t mean that just anyone can do it though. It requires life skills, soft skills, some things self-learnt and some things taught. Above all else though, having a belief in yourself and a desire to get the job done, even when it seems like the world is against you, is essential. This is the character and inner confidence we look for. Of course, our SDRs all have these qualities in abundance but despite the common traits, they are all individuals, and they all found their own route here. That’s why we thought now was the time to gain a greater insight into some of our brightest stars.
In this instance, we asked Lorik to share his story with us.
Professional Philosophy
“I’m comfortable being outside my comfort zone.”
I originally come from Kosovo and arrived in Stuttgart when I was three, so I have very little memory from my homeland apart from stories passed down by my parents. We were happy to arrive in Germany though and after a short while, we moved to Kleve which is close to the Dutch border. So I went to the local school and instead of going to university, I started training at a craftsmanship company but it didn’t go well so that ended quite abruptly. I then went into sales at a company called Euronics which is a bit like MediaMarkt and I worked there for two and a half years. My interest in sales had now been piqued and I was looking for a job of a similar calibre. To that end, I began up working for a software company but, unfortunately for me, I was working in a support role when what I actually wanted to be doing was working in a sales role. Thankfully my manager allowed me to switch into sales and I was much happier and more comfortable in that position.
I was starting to see my whole future in sales but I needed somewhere I could grow so that I could make a whole career out of this. Out of the blue, I got a call from Aexus and after they had introduced themselves, I was really interested in the company. I liked their philosophy, the way they run the company and the idea that they look for people with an entrepreneurial spirit because you should be conducting your job as if you owned the business. Of course, I had gained an interest in tech from my time at Euronics and the software company, so that was a good fit from the start. In addition, I had already decided that sales could be my calling, so I was ready to give my all to this position. What’s more, I thrive under pressure and like to challenge myself every day. This isn’t just something I do at work; it is something I like to take into my daily life. So, whether I’m playing sports or enjoying my spare time, I like to push the boundaries to see what’s possible. That’s why I really want to progress at Aexus.
Being an SDR requires hard work but I know that if I want to become a BDM, this is what I have to do now to make that a reality. I know that some people would be anxious about becoming an SDR with the cold calling and having to stay positive while you’re getting more nos than yeses but at Aexus, you always have the support of your colleagues and the training is so good that it takes away any worries you may have. With my own efforts and the backing of my team, I believe I could be promoted within a year.