Explore the dynamic Sales Team at Financeit, where collaboration, and a customer-centric mindset drives them toward extraordinary success. Under the guidance of Sales Manager Sean Murray, the Western Canada team embodies an ‘all for one and one for all’ approach, recognizing the strength that lies in unity. Their commitment to adaptability and innovation is showcased through strategic use of promotional products, demonstrating their ability to overcome challenges and achieve remarkable results. Beyond their professional accomplishments, the team’s strong camaraderie adds a layer of positivity that fuels their motivation for excellence.
Sean Murray – Sales Manager
Team Dynamics:
How would you describe the collaborative atmosphere within the sales team, and how do team members support each other to achieve collective success?
Our team dynamic operates on an ‘all for one and one for all’ approach. I promote collaboration by facilitating the integration of Regional Sales Managers (RSM) and Account Managers (AM) in each other’s meetings, whether conducted in person or via Zoom. Additionally, they actively participate in lunches and meetings with our partners, fostering an environment that empowers them to autonomously make territory decisions with a positive impact.
The goal is to ensure that everyone is capable of stepping in to support their teammates when needed. Through our internal team slack channel, we foster daily information sharing and create a safe space for questions that might be deemed ‘different’ in other channels. Despite our remote setup, we actively work towards assembling as a team on a regular basis, even if it entails having one-on-one in-person meetings over lunch to break up the Zoom monotony. Our team consistently celebrates each other’s successes on a daily basis, and in our bi-weekly team meetings, we openly discuss both our achievements and challenges.
Strategic Approaches:
Can you share a specific example of a successful sales strategy or tactic that the team has employed to overcome challenges and achieve outstanding results?
This past year, our approach was to embrace change fearlessly. We adopted new promotional programs while educating our partners on how to utilize these promotions in everyday conversations. Despite some market headwinds, we remained committed to our strategy, carefully considering each and every aspect of the relationship with our customers.
Adaptability and Innovation:
In a rapidly evolving market, how does the sales team stay agile and innovative to adapt to changes and consistently meet or exceed targets?
Continued usage of our sales pitch deck to focus on our value propositions and presenting up to date data keeps us staying agile and always looking for what’s coming around the corner next.
Customer-Centric Focus:
What steps does the team take to truly understand and meet the unique needs of customers, and can you share a memorable experience where this approach led to a successful partnership?
A partner recently shared with us a compelling story involving one of their Home Comfort Advisors, underscoring the impactful role of financing and emphasizing our commitment to support rather than merely sell. The homeowner, grappling with challenges in various aspects of their life, found relief through financing, alleviating multiple stresses and ensuring their family could enjoy the comfort they needed as winter approached.
Team Culture and Morale:
Beyond work targets, how does the team foster a positive and motivating culture, and are there any team traditions or rituals that contribute to a strong sense of camaraderie and morale?
When a new member joined our team, I initially planned to fly out to Chilliwack to meet them for lunch and welcome them aboard. However, when Matty and Michelle learned of my plans, they went above and beyond, driving an hour out of their way to pick me up from the airport. The entire BC team gathered in person to make our new team member’s transition smoother, and that lunch turned into a few hours of camaraderie. In our bi-weekly meetings, we kick things off with each member sharing an icebreaker joke—some bad, some good. We genuinely enjoy spending time together in person, knowing when to poke fun at each other and providing support in ways that go beyond what I can express through emails, Slack, or Salesforce.
Michelle Warren – Account Manager
Team Dynamics
How would you describe the collaborative atmosphere within the sales team, and how do team members support each other to achieve collective success?
The Financeit sales team is unlike any other I have been a part of. From coast to coast, everyone is willing to support each other and offer valuable advice that contributes to both personal and professional growth. Our team dedicates time to come together and share strategies and learning opportunities that have proven successful, allowing others to implement similar approaches and grow their own book of business. We frequently engage in calls and attend meetings where we leverage each other’s strengths and expertise to provide maximum value for our merchants. I am confident that whenever I have a question, someone on the team is willing to listen and offer assistance.
Strategic Approaches
Can you share a specific example of a successful sales strategy or tactic that the team has employed to overcome challenges and achieve outstanding results?
Our team has excelled in introducing and adapting our merchant base to new promotional products, enabling customers to secure a competitive interest rate on their Financeit loan. This positions Financeit in direct competition with traditional methods of home improvement financing, such as a line of credit. Our merchants now have increased confidence, knowing they can overcome objections related to affordability. Over the past year, our team has actively engaged in the market, reviewing these offers with our merchant base and providing coaching on the value of utilizing sales financing to successfully close deals.
Adaptability and Innovation
In a rapidly evolving market, how does the sales team stay agile and innovative to adapt to changes and consistently meet or exceed targets?
We not only operate in the rapidly evolving technology sector, but we also navigate the dynamic financial sector, subject to daily changes. This demands that our team stays abreast of developments and remains adaptable to adjust our offerings for ongoing competitiveness. Our team excels in strategizing with merchants to craft financing offers that boost sales and secure deals. Given the rapid changes in the past 12 months and the rising interest rates, this necessitates frequent meetings with our merchants to ensure their offers align with current market conditions.
Customer-Centric Focus
What steps does the team take to truly understand and meet the unique needs of customers, and can you share a memorable experience where this approach led to a successful partnership?
Through our experiences working in different industries, the sales team has gained insights into various sub-verticals within home improvement. We leverage these learnings from our interactions with merchants to develop strategies that assist others in their growth. For instance, the solar industry is experiencing significant growth, both in terms of financing and as part of green initiatives outlined by the federal government of Canada. Many of our solar merchants are integrating government grants and loans into their sales processes, complemented by Financeit’s multi-staged funding program. This program enables them to access funds earlier in the project timeline. Recently, I relied on a colleague with extensive experience in solar businesses to provide a tailored financing strategy to one of my new solar merchants. The knowledge I gained helped me understand the industry’s stipulations and how to effectively leverage Financeit, ensuring a smooth financing process.
Team Culture and Morale
Beyond work targets, how does the team foster a positive and motivating culture, and are there any team traditions or rituals that contribute to a strong sense of camaraderie and morale?
I believe a positive and motivating culture begins with getting to know each other, and that’s precisely what our team does. Despite being separated by distance and time zones, we view every interaction as an opportunity to understand one another better, even if it’s just over a quick Zoom call. Our team is both fun and competitive, never shying away from a challenge between sales pods. I particularly enjoy when we can gather in person at our sales offsites, partner conferences; nothing beats sitting down with my team to share some laughs. Additionally, we have a tradition of celebrating wins with our merchants and recognizing team members when they hit a target. It’s a small but memorable gesture that makes the team feel celebrated and acknowledged.