Looking for a new role in a different industry so any opportunities are welcomed.

Before I get started I do appreciate this isn't the usual route of obtaining employment but I like to see it as thinking outside the box. It's an opportunistic approach but in my mind quite obvious especially with the wide range of industry's I know many of you work in.

Anything that gives me the edge is always worth trying and the recruitment consultant's I've spoken with of late are 'relatively' helpful but clearly focused on many individuals and not just me (which I appreciate)

Additionally I believe many of the members on this forum are either Business owners, Directors or Managers from a wide range of industries, so I hope to of timed this right and something may come of it.

I've recently stepped down from my role as Commercial/Sales Manager from a company I've helped build and worked for during the last 3-4 years. It wasn't an easy decision but what with the direction the company was taking, the apparent (to me) financial woe's the owner was in and the obvious cost savings that were being implemented without my consultation I knew the time was right. I made the MD an offer, he accepted and so we went our separate ways.

Frankly I'm relieved it's over and I've spent the last few week's considering my next move.

Having spent the last 15 year's in my industry I honestly feel I just need a change. It's not an area I'd really like to continue working in as I simply don't have the interest in it any longer and just feel that at 36 years of age, with the experience I have it's time to learn new things and I have a long time left yet before retirement.

The vast majority of my roles have been B2B sales based although generally of a consultative nature as I'm quite technically minded, approachable and good at client relations. I have experience in channel/dealer management, product management and of course sales team management.

I've also been lucky enough to work for global manufacturers, distributors and more recently SME's so I'm used to varying degrees of company size & structure.

The large format digital print world (my industry to date) is a fast paced environment, very technology driven and quite varied. With my background and knowledge I've generally been employed to provide full solutions. So in-depth knowledge on the high value capital equipment, the differing technologies they employ, the software and various substrates/chemicals used are where all my strengths lie and believe show how adaptable I can be.

What I'd like to do is transfer some of those skills and experiences over to a new industry/market sector.

It go's without saying that I'd be looking at taking a 'hierarchical step back' and an obvious cut in pay level initially but that's a trade off I'm willing to accept if presented with the opportunity.

I'm determined to learn new things and without sounding over confident or complacent I know that I'm more than capable of learning new products, services & industries quite quickly. I'm very open to all roads/options as being honest I kind of fell in to digital print to start with so nothing is ever planned.

If any members have an opportunity for me to look at or know of somebody that may have then I'd be very grateful if you could pm me and perhaps we can talk about things in more detail privately. I can also provide a range of references which should cover my abilities & character should anybody require them.

Thank you all and sorry there was no mention of bikes in this very long drawn out post.

 

I had been thinking something similar for quite some time but many of my previous clients are far too large to go through just me so it would be starting from scratch with a smaller style client base, additionally it would just be more of the same and if in 5-7 years time my hearts still not in it then its just more time wasted. If anything I'd happily set up a retirement fund type business I could operate in my spare time which wouldn't impact on my career/daily work commitments. Something like motorbike decals/kits, number boards, race reps etc.

But again that's not a 'career', at least not enough to keep me occupied.

I'd much prefer something entirely new in regards to target market & products. I'm quite happy in a sales type/consultant environment and have been client facing for 15+ years so know how to talk to people and provide exceptional service. I can also run dealer channels and sales teams successfully because I have the experience of working each end of the chain so understand the pains of manufacturers, dealers and clients (end users)

Its just the new products I'd need to learn and the rest would follow as its no different (with all due respect)

I could learn new products in a day, a week or even a month depending what they are. Mechanical, software, service offerings, it doesnt matter as with the right attitude and ability to soak up specs what you then need then is a gift of being good with clients and relations.

Good business is just that, good business. If you can keep your clients happy and your product or service offering at the forefront of their mind you're more than half way there.

Its such a pity the motorcycle industry is so small as I've seen a few decent jobs recently looking after dealer channels or working for some of the main brand distributors which obviously I know a lot about as its what I love. I know the products in and out as I spend enough time researching before I buy (just ask the mrs how anal I can be with the finer detail)

Some of you will know yourself that there are times when you go to a dealers or speak to a rep from the manufacturers during a trade show and it actually ends up you knowing slightly more than them just because you've kept an interest in all press releases, market gossip and so on. Ok not all the time but Im sure a lot of you have been in a similar position at some point and that's because you know the market because you/we are the market.

The problem lies with so few jobs in that industry and the guys who have worked the shop floor wanting that step up and getting first opportunity. Rightly so I guess.


So there you have it, quite simply a new range of products and a new target market is all I'm effectively after at this stage, that way I've not wasted my skill set and years of hard work and experience.
It's just a matter of switching printers, the various substrates used and the software used in workflow over to something different with a different customer.