• When did you join Telelink and how is your career going so far?

I joined Telelink in January 2012 as Project Manager in Security and Automation Department. Тhe first project that challenged me was related to the Lead Project for installation of low-voltage systems of Mall Bulgaria and the attached offices of Infinity Tower. Then followed a couple of benchmark projects for critical infrastructure. After they were completed, I took the responsibility to lead the sales team and prepare commercial proposals for low voltage installations for enterprise clients and public tender documentation. And I still have been doing this.

• What does your job entail and what challenges do you meet?

Working as Sales Manager at the Security and Automation Department, I must cash in on the commercial opportunities, to contact potential customers and prepare technical and financials proposals with the help of the engineering team, who analyse and estimate the costs. My responsibility is to follow up the whole process, to specify the proposals, to negotiate the contractual financial terms and to communicate with the end customer throughout the whole process until signing the contract. The challenges I meet are related to the daily fight for better terms from contractors, to find the proper approach to each customer (because they are all different), to match the team and build symbiosis (this is process), to meet the high requirements of the customers, which get higher and higher each time.

• What kind of knowledge, skills and qualities do you need to perform this role? How do you upgrade?

The most important thing is to be initiative, consistent and organized, to be able to set priorities and follow them till the end. It is necessary to know the market of each system and the customers themselves, to communicate effectively and understand their needs. Each customer has their own requirements. You must listen to them, understand their necessities, and make the best proposal. This means, you must be both a good listener and a good marketer. Working with each customer, you improve your skills. This is a mutual process. I keep up my qualification by attending workshops and seminars.

• What do you value most in your workplace? What’s your biggest motivator to come to work in the morning?

It is a difficult question, and the answer is complex. This is the interaction with my colleagues and the trust we place in each other when working to complete our projects. Each new project drives me forward. Each day I expect bigger and more complex solution to offer our customers. I was trusted and honoured to lead the biggest project of the company, which meant we had built trust and synergy.