Within the four months of joining the company, I was promoted to the new role, as a Sales Officer/Territory Manager (both the designations are used interchangeably), thus increasing my span of control and being held responsible for all the happenings in the territory ranging from the primary, and secondary sales to the branding, reporting, stocks verification, maintenance and expansion of the Stockiest network. I was relieved, as the climate of Siliguri suited my preference but while getting inducted at Kolkata, and checking at the last year’s SAP reports of the zone, I knew the road ahead is going to be tougher.
Siliguri is a beautiful town, nestled among the hills, and borders three countries (Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan). My territory includes the state of Sikkim, Bhutan, and North Bengal (which comprises of 10 Districts). Siliguri serves as the only gateway to the east and the narrow corridor of Siliguri and the adjacent areas which stretches for not more than 80 Kms holds a lot of importance nationally as well as economically. While I took the charge of my zone, the agitation for the Gorkhaland was on prime and the hills remained closed for about 4 months thus marking the longest ever hartal ever in the hills and making my goal of opening a new Stockiest in the town more arduous.
My search for the new Stockiest in Siliguri ended a month back, and launching of the new party has been successful, to say the least. Appointing a good Stockiest for the trade where market credit averages 40-60 days is tough, my colleagues from the industry would vouch for it. Within the stipulated time, I must have visited more than 50 clients and did uncountable follows-ups with the prospects. What lies ahead, will be another post if time and mood permits. And for all the aspirants in Sales, the Gyan I quoted above remains the same, “Be diligent and have perseverance, you will ultimately succeed”.
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