Joe Day

Name

Joe Day

Position

Head of Sales at Genuine Solutions

How did you start your journey with Genuine Solutions?

I left school not really knowing what I wanted to do.  I was always told education is ‘not for me’ as I enjoyed being the class clown. At the time, I was considering pursuing a golf career and was offered a scholarship to go to America and train there. By chance I was chatting to my barber around eight years ago about my future. He told me to hold fire on taking a golf sales job because I really reminded him of a friend that owns a business and might be looking for someone in sales. That turned out to be Genuine Solutions’ founder Christian McBride and here I am eight years later!

What does your job entail and what does a typical day involve?

Being Head of Sales, I have a team to look after, but I also actively sell to my customer base. I engage heavily with my team and measure our performance against set targets that we put in place; whether gaining new clients, new regions, or new companies we are trying to partner with. We work towards mini milestones that contribute to our collective goals at the end of every quarter. There is no such thing as a typical day here, but time management is so crucial for me – there’s a lot of juggling involved but if you can find the right balance that’s the key.

What is the best thing you enjoy about your job?

I would say building customer relationships and speaking to them on a day to day basis is something I really enjoy. You spend more time talking to people at work than you do with your friends and family, so you have to build a good rapport with them. The same goes for my colleagues – I get on with them well and it makes us a collaborative team.

What is the worst thing about your job?

If I had to pick something, the worst element of the job and probably any job is the lack of communication from some customers. It just delays processes and leaves you in the dark. That’s why I always try to stay on top of things and maintain communication with people.

What has been a standout moment at Genuine Solutions?

I got promoted to Head of Sales three years ago which was a breakthrough moment for me. In 2017 I was given the chance to live in New York for seven months to do a bit of research over there which was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I got to see how business works in the Big Apple and explore new ways for Genuine Solutions to grow internationally.

What other Genuine Solutions department would you like to work in and why?

If I was to try something else, it would probably be in Purchasing. I think it would be quite interesting to negotiate as a buyer rather than the seller. Eventually I would like to keep moving up to a more senior position and see the company from a bird’s eye view. I have found my calling in sales though and love every minute.

Something a little different to finish off, a few more fun questions. If you were stranded on a desert island and you could take three things, what would they be and why?

It would have to be a sand wedge golf club so I could practice my bunker shots whilst I’m there, a fishing rod to catch the food and survive, and a hammock so I have somewhere to sleep!

What’s your favourite food and why?

Trio Roast Dinner, because you do not have to choose only one option of meat 😊

Who’s your inspiration and why?

My Inspiration is listening to success stories direct from entrepreneurs who have created real success, either from scratch or a change from good too great.

If you could be any animal, which would you be and why?

An eagle, to remain a strong predator seeing the world from a real life birds eye view.

Which four people, past or present, would you like to have dinner with the most and why?

I am a huge sports fan and so it would have to be Seve Ballesteros and Tiger Woods so we could talk golf – past and present. And joining us at the table would be Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to understand their arguments to who is better 😉