FGS and HPE Future Growth Sales Programme kicks off.
FGS and HPE Future Growth Sales Programme kicks off.
We catch up with the class of 2024 and explore why prep and purpose are the watchwords of session one.
December marked the start of the Future Growth Sales Excellence Programme (FGS EP), a unique FGS and Hewlett Packard Enterprise collaborative apprenticeship programme that will immerse early career HPE account managers in the dynamic world of IT sales and strengthen partnership and collaboration.
In this series of FGS TV episodes, HPE programme leaders Jaden Rafferty and Megan Marshall sit down with early career SMB Territory Managers Lewis Harman, Ruby Harris and Connor Gonzalez to discuss their account management journey and the key take aways they’ve gained from session one of the programme.
“I’m incredibly excited to be taking part in this programme and engaging with the experts at FGS in such a meaningful way,” said Connor Gonzalez, who recently made a career switch from car sales to tech as an SMB Territory Manager. “My key take away from session one is the vital role of prep. I now have a far deeper understanding of the role and importance of targeted preparation within the customer relationship process. No matter the customer and no matter the challenge they’re facing, prep is crucial. Already I feel more confident to engage and collaborate with colleagues at FGS to ensure that, together, we conceive and deliver the right technical and relational solutions for the customer.”
Watch the Connor Gonalez Episode >>
“This is the first time I have spent time with an HPE strategic partner,” said Ruby Harris, a recently appointed HPE SMB Territory Manager. “The session has been a masterclass in collaboration. It’s given me an excellent understanding of the partner ecosystem and how I can best work with FGS to create value in every sales interaction with customers.
Ruby continued, “As a newbie to the industry, and fresh in my Territory Manager role I’m so grateful to have this opportunity to learn from such a vast array of experienced IT sales professionals. My day one key take away is accountability and how that’s manifested through planning, organisation, preparedness, purpose. Looking forward, I’m excited to shadow client calls and take away learnings to help me grow and develop the maturity of my approach.”
Watch the Ruby Harris Episode >>
“I’ve been with HPE for a year as an SMB Territory Manager and today has been a really insightful masterclass into the reseller world and the value of collaborative selling.” Said Lewis Harman, who looks after accounts in the South and London.
“I’m walking away with a reiteration of the importance of the first impression. Today’s session has also given me a deep understanding of how relationships are built and how outstanding account managers are made. In addition to the programme, I’ve been working on some fantastic customer projects with FGS recently. I’ve been given the opportunity to gain exposure, learn from and be mentored by Peter Stroud, Jonathan Philips, Lewis Smith and others – I’m taking full advantage of this and applying this wealth of knowledge to my own HPE account management approach.”
Watch the Lewis Harman Episode >>
Speaking at the close of session one, Jaden Rafferty, HPE Partner Business Manager said, “The next session of the programme will show delegates how to be informed by market intelligence. The landscape is challenging for everyone and so this will help early careers delegates to step up knowledge and play within the market smartly. Leaning into the technical and market expertise of FGS and collaborating to better understand the specific challenges customers are facing. It’s all about collaboration.”
About FGS EP
FGS EP a blend of academic learning, practical skills, and mentorship that will immerse HPE apprentices in the dynamic world of IT sales. HPE apprentices will see first-hand the impact of partnerships and collaboration and take away the deep sector knowledge of regulated markets they need to drive growth, together.
The programme is co-led by FGS CEO Peter Stroud and HPE’s UK Channel Compute Specialist & SMB/MM Sales Manager Seyvan Kellay.
Sessions are delivered in the workplace, through a blend of remote and face to face mentorship and learning. Each month apprentices will have time to develop and embed the knowledge and skills they are learning in training sessions, as well as the opportunity to access individual guidance from mentors within HPE Strategic Gold Partner, FGS.
