Alek Cooper, Technical Sales Engineer at REID Lifting
From clocking up miles across the south of the UK to working from home, Alek Cooper, Technical Sales Engineer here at REID lifting shares an insight in to his daily working life.
Working Day
I look after our customers, channel partners and resellers in the south of the UK – basically, if you drew a line from west to east just north of Birmingham, then anything below that would be in my region, along with the whole of Ireland.
I’m based from home so do all my emails and admin first thing, but I like to be out visiting customers as much as I can. Most of my days will be a mix of site visits, product demos and training and familiarisation sessions. I’m a firm believer in the idea that our partners and resellers win more business for themselves and for us if they know as much as possible about our products and can really make the most of the features and benefits.
Site visits could be anywhere from a waste-water pumping centre to a construction site or engineering plant, and I’ll often do these visits with partners to give them extra technical support in securing the sale.
Some days, it’s more about presentations than demos though and then it might be a ‘lunch and learn’ session where I go in to see architects and specifiers and give them a CPD presentation on the products over a few sandwiches. These really do help to drive specifications.
I like to get home in the evenings as much as I can to see my family, but if I’m away then I’ll use that time to work on new ideas for presentations and training.
With the current reduced travelling and working from home environment we are in, I have had to re-adjust my working day to ensure I am still keeping in contact and supporting my customers. I have been making the most of online tools to ensure I am still engaging with our customers the best way possible. My day now usually consists of working from home with two kids juggling the home schooling and REID’s customers.
When did you join REID Lifting?
May 2017
What was your first job?
I was a labourer for a plumbing and heating company while I was studying sports and exercise science at university
What businessperson do you admire/inspires you?
Anyone who can build a sustainable business for themselves and their family. My father-in-law owns Arnolds lighting and electrical store in Newport, which has been trading since 1808. It’s a high street business which has obviously managed some challenging times over the years, but it remains strong.
What is your best business achievement?
The one I still talk about is winning REID Lifting’s Fantasy Football league in 2017/18
What would you do if you weren’t in the industry?
I like being ‘hands-on’ so I’d probably try my luck in the building trade.
Most useful/favourite gadget?
My Apple watch. As a sports scientist, I like the way it helps me track my exercise regime, as well as reminding me to get moving when I’ve been sitting at the desk for too long.
Website/App you couldn’t live without?
Google maps
Favourite destination/place in the world?
On the slopes in the Alps
Favourite hobby/pastime?
Playing rugby, at least for as long as the joints hold up