Executive Business Consultant Shares Keys To Successful Growth
Wireless industry seasoned executive, Robert Suastegui, leverages his business knowledge and network of contacts to secure new business service contracts. These service contracts help wireless network operators improve their coverage and service to their end customers.
Suastegui holds a B.A. in finance and accounting and has been working for over 25 years in the highly competitive wireless telecommunications industry for both networks as well as mobile handsets, and also has in-depth international experience. He continually worked his way up the corporate business ladder and is currently in a senior-level executive position at KMM Corp.
What are the responsibilities of your current role?
"The scope of executive business development encompasses all functions and disciplines within the company. To be effective in this role, one must have a complete understanding of the entire business model and internal processes. The basic responsibility of my role is to secure new contracts for my company. The only way for me to be successful as a business development professional is to fully understand the problems the customers are trying to solve and introducing solutions that my company can offer them to solve those challenges."
What is your favorite part of your daily duties?
"In closing new deals, there is a 'rush' that every sales person experiences when they win a deal. Most salespeople have a tiered compensation structure that financially rewards for success. One of the key personality traits of individuals in this type of role is 'outgoing' and 'gregarious.' These are critical traits in meeting new potential clients at large trade shows. This is certainly one of my favorite parts of the job. I have had the benefit of coaching from mentors who were very successful throughout their careers. I have benefited greatly from their guidance and direction. I am now in a senior executive level position that affords me the ability to develop the next generation of sales professionals within the company."
Do you feel your education prepared you for your current role?
"My undergraduate degree is in accounting. The short answer is definitely yes. The reason I feel strongly about my accounting degree is because it allowed me to understand the financials of the company at a very young age."
Do you have any advice for people who desire to pursue a similar career?
"I feel it is extremely important for anyone who desires to enter the sales profession as either a business development professional or a sales representation to have a solid understanding of the numbers, the products, and the competition... Building relationships with the engineering teams that develop products is important for understanding the timing of the next 'big' thing. Continuing education is a major component of success such as: continuing education at the university level and seminars at industry trade shows."
Michelle Guilbeau is a writer, reviewer, teacher and business owner living in Chicago, Illinois. She also has experience in school administration, literacy coaching and is proud founder of CraftKitsForKids.com and MichelleGuilbeau.com Michelle enjoys sharing her knowledge of Chicago, food, travel, education and parenting issues with her readers. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.