Spring 2019 Hardlines Strategies

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Lending a Helping Hand Regional Manager Janet Elias Talks About Her Time Working With Blish-Mize B lish-Mize customers rely on their sales

One member of the sales team is Janet Elias, a regional manager who’s worked with Blish-Mize for 45 years. Below, Elias talks about her time with the company, her day-to-day responsibilities and how the Blish-Mize teams goes above and beyond to serve its customers. How long have you worked at Blish-Mize? Janet Elias (JE): I started working with Blish-Mize in the summer of 1973, in a temporary position, where I picked orders at the warehouse. In September, I was offered a full-time job there. I was always looking for new opportunities, and my next step at the company was to the customer service department, where I worked at the counter and answered the phones. Shortly after that, I started working with the store development team, going out and helping set up stores. At that time, I also became “vacation relief” for the sales team. Whenever a sales rep was out on vacation, I would step in. I’d go out into their territory, write up orders and assist their customers with anything they needed. I got to know a number of territories, and Blish-Mize customers, that way. reps to help them get the product they need, and to offer services and suggestions to help them grow their businesses.

My next step was to join the sales team when I got my own territory. I worked in that position for a number of years. Then, about four years ago, I was promoted to regional manager. What do your responsibilities include? JE: I search for new business, as well as encourage growth within our existing customers’ stores, finding avenues where they can sell more products. I present remodeling ideas—sometimes a store just needs a makeover or some freshening up.

When we do these types of projects, we make sure to assist our customers every step of the way. We suggest an updated store layout as well as new fixtures and ideas for product placement, and we give a quote for how much it all costs. I’m in the customers’ stores regularly, and I follow the progress of their different projects as our team works on them. I make sure everything is completed as specified and help answer any questions that might come up along the way.

4 Spring 2019 • Hardlines Strategies