Getting to know our TVET Sales team: Shevonne Davids

by | Apr 29, 2020 | Higher Education, Uncategorized

The Sales team profiles are brief Q & A sessions with our Sales team which aim to give insight into the mechanics of the Publishing Sales industry, shed light on what it takes to be part of the Sales team at Oxford University Press South Africa, and give expert advice to anybody interested in joining the world of TVET Sales team in South Africa.

Every week we will be introducing you to a team member from our TVET division. This week we are chatting with Shevonne Davids.

Shevonne Davids
Senior Sales Coordinator

Q: How did you find yourself following a career in Sales/Publishing?

I’ve been the Assistant Customer Services Manager for a long while, and a big part of my role was working closely with the Department of Basic Education.  In this role all queries, orders etc. came through to me. 

I thoroughly enjoyed working with them and visa-versa.  After long deliberation with myself, I wanted to know so much more about the rest of the business and that is how I found myself applying for the Senior Sales Coordinator position in Trade, Dictionaries and TVET.  I am also the consultant for Trade Customers in the Western Cape.

Q: Describe your work day – What does your job entail?

My average work day is very diverse, as you will see from above, that I have to wear three very different hats within the organisation.  I have to get sales from all three entities, ensure all Key Account customers are happy and ensure stock availability of all products at all times.  I work closely with the TVET consultants to ensure that when their orders are sent through, it is captured correctly.  I do customer calling for all the Trade customers in the Western Cape and I manage the submission list for these titles. 

Q: What key traits do you think make a good Sales Coordinator?

Passion for sales, in-depth knowledge of the product, confidence and being persuasive.

Q: What part of your job do you enjoy the most and what would you say is the most rewarding part of your job?

I love interacting with my clients and I love the look on their faces when they’re paging through our product catalogues – this is very rewarding.  The name “Oxford” is known worldwide, so the client knows that they are getting world class material.

Q: What advice would you give to someone considering a career in Sales/Publishing?

You have to be passionate about selling and confident in the product that you are selling.

Q: On a personal note, what is your favourite book and why?

I don’t have a favourite book, but a favourite author – Karen Rose.  I basically read everything she writes.  I absolutely love crime and investigation and that is what she writes about.

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