Name: Ashley Hempton
Title: Cutco Sales Professional
Company: Vector Marketing/Cutco
Education: BA from Central Michigan University
Work Experience: I was introduced to Vector Marketing my junior year of college. It was a great position for me as a full-time student and I saw potential for more. After graduation in May of 2006 I began working with Vector full-time, as my career.
What I do: As a career sales professional (CSP), I set up appointments with qualified leads and then demonstrate the line of Cutco products to theses potential customers in their homes and/or businesses. My source of leads is generated by referrals only, so I always know exactly who I’m meeting with and many times, the leads even anticipate my call. Part of my job is to truly listen to the customer and present them with products that fill their needs.
How I got there: Before Vector Marketing I assumed that I would get my degree then search for a job with entry level pay and work my way up the corporate ladder. Little did I know that my experience working with Vector would change my perception completely. Vector helped me open up my mind to the endless possibilities of my successes.
Skills needed: The skills required for this job include time management, communication, product knowledge; as well as motivation, persistence, and dedication. One of the great things about the company is that it’s Skills for Life training seminar helped me perfect these skills before I even began selling.
Where would I go from here? With the skills Vector Marketing has given me I honestly feel I could go anywhere. I know that from now on I want a job that is commission based and offers incentives. I love that my salary and awards are a direct result of my own personal effort.
Advice: Set goals and push your own personal limits...day after day...week after week.
Biggest misconception: The biggest misconception is that most people think that they could never be in "sales". Life is sales. This job is about helping people find solutions to problems they have on a daily basis.
To succeed and enjoy this position, you need to: Believe in Cutco as a product and enjoy building relationships with people in the business as well as the customers