Selling at CloudSuite: Complex product, compelling challenge

Guido Huisman - Junior Account Executive

I discovered my verbal selling skills during various side jobs in door-to-door sales. I truly enjoyed it and gained energy from the experience. So, after completing my education, I actively sought a sales job. I came across CloudSuite via LinkedIn, knowing little about eCommerce but finding the future prospect of webshops intriguing. Taking the plunge, I joined CloudSuite, wondering how I could quickly acquire all the new knowledge.

Baptism of fire

Fortunately, CloudSuite had a solution. Just two weeks into my role as a Junior Sales Consultant, I was sent to the Webwinkel Vakdagen. "Go out there and sell it," they said. It was quite the baptism by fire! Luckily, that wasn't the only learning experience. I then dove into an intensive training program. For instance, I observed my colleagues, such as Consultants and Support Specialists, and frequently listened in on meetings with clients. How does our product function? Which companies are our clients, and what challenges do they face?

A step up

Now, over four years later, I'm no longer a Sales Consultant but a Junior Account Executive. My workdays vary; sometimes I'm at the office, and sometimes I'm on the road to potential clients throughout the country, and sometimes in Belgium.

The challenge of complex sales at CloudSuite

The interesting aspect of sales at CloudSuite is that you have to sell a fairly complex product. It's not a quick call with a customer resulting in a 'yes' or 'no.' Sales trajectories are often long, lasting months or even years. They involve many face-to-face meetings, pitches, demonstrations, and negotiations. No slick sales techniques, but a lot of energy goes into building warm relationships with leads, prospects, and clients.

Encounters and discoveries

Additionally, I enjoy meeting people and constantly getting a glimpse into a new company. Recently, I visited a new client, a wine wholesaler. Imagine a warehouse with millions of wine bottles. Or a producer of agricultural tires with a diameter of almost two meters. The challenge is to quickly understand how these often traditional companies operate and how to translate that into online sales. As an Account Executive, you see and learn a lot. And that's very energizing.

Steep learning curve

I joined CloudSuite just before the COVID-19 crisis, so the initial period wasn't always smooth. In fact, after a while, I began to have some doubts. Did I make the right choice? Until a new colleague arrived, and I had to train him. That process was reflective for me and boosted my self-confidence; for the first time, I realized how much I had learned and could even teach someone else. Those doubts quickly disappeared.

Fair treatment

CloudSuite is a great group of specialists that continues to grow. However, the main reason I've stayed for the past years, and likely will for a while, is that I feel well and honestly treated. Everyone is sincere and transparent about opportunities and career growth. When I wanted to evolve from a Sales Consultant to an Account Executive, I dared to express that, and together with my manager, we made a plan to develop certain competencies and achieve my goal. I don't think I'll find such transparent development opportunities quickly at another company.