Koen has been working as an export account manager at Metaflex for a month. In this role, he combines his passion for sales with his interest in technology and production. He is particularly impressed by the dedication of the staff, the focus on tangible products, and the customer interactions.
Koen Janse has only been an export account manager at Metaflex for a month. His first impression? “A not too large, flat organization with short lines of communication. I also notice that all colleagues are very dedicated and involved. I think this is mainly because we make tangible products right here, not in a production location far away, but in our own building. This was also one of the reasons I chose Metaflex, looking for a commercial role at a technical production company. I’m not from the Achterhoek, but the no-nonsense mentality suits me well. The drive I see here fits me perfectly. After all, you come here to work.”
Personal Training Program
After a commercial education, Koen worked at various companies, all in the ‘doors sector.’ This makes it relatively easy for him to get to know the products of Metaflex. “Fortunately, the training program is very much tailored to my personal needs,” he says. “There are some introductions scheduled, and I’ve already completed my first trip to Scandinavia. Besides that, I can mainly decide for myself what I’d like to do. If I want to spend a day in production, I arrange it.”
Personal Contact
Koen appreciates that his new role involves a lot of international contacts. Within the export department, everyone focuses on their own region; for Koen, that’s Scandinavia, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. Traveling is also part of his job. He enjoys it. “Personal contact is very important, and for that, you have to visit customers. I also find it interesting to see how our doors are used in other countries and how sales are going there.”
More Depth
A standard workday does not exist for Koen. “What I do in a day depends on the questions that come from my accounts. I also focus on developing new market opportunities. This does not yield immediate results, so it requires patience.” Koen finds it a beautiful challenge to market the high-quality doors of Metaflex. “The quality is high, and we have all the necessary certifications. Naturally, we are not the cheapest on the market. That means that sales conversations need more depth, I have to convey the added value we offer. Moreover, we are market leaders in the Netherlands, but not abroad. This also makes it more challenging to properly profile Metaflex internationally. All in all, a wonderful challenge!”
Interact with People
According to Koen, two things are very important in customer contacts. “The first is on a personal level: you have to be yourself, not pretend to be someone else. The second aspect is about commitment: showing that you do everything for a customer and that you deliver what you promise.” As an account manager, Koen believes you should particularly enjoy dealing with people. “It’s nice to really build a relationship; otherwise, it’s just about products. The combination of selling a tangible product and working closely with people is what appeals to me most at Metaflex.”
