» IN SEARCH OF NEW CHALLENGES

Madalina Cretu, Channel Sales Manager, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise speaks about focusing on making a significant impact in sales

Madalina Cretu

Channel Sales Manager, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise

What made you choose technology as your professional path? How has this journey been so far in terms of achieving professional success and personal happiness?

I don't think this was a conscious choice, it is where my career path brought me in search of new and exciting challenges. Working in Sales means for me finding ways to balance being successful for your company with helping your partners be successful as well and this is my top priority. As I am new to Sales, I am sure there is lots to come and I look forward to it!

Does gender matter in channel sales in terms of expectations and recognitions? What are some of the common attributes as key differences between women and men in such roles?

Most of the times you are the only or one of the two women in the room - and to be honest this is a great advantage to have. Common attributes I would say both men and women bring to the table a professional attitude, their intellect, their education and experience. In terms of differences, I think women approach matters more collaboratively and have that special touch. I am a firm believer that men and women should be in their roles based on their capabilities and not gender.

Has hybrid work mode been rewarding or taxing? Describe your experience from last year onwards in adopting to the new normal at work? Especially as face-to-face meetings have been difficult to do, how does that impact your work?

The new normal was easy to get used to for us at ALE, the flexibility has always been there and the ways to connect and interact remotely are our way of doing business. So no I cannot say it has been taxing nor rewarding. We just got on with it and made it work.

Describe some of the achievements or milestones you achieved in sales in this role as well as over the career briefly

Since I joined ALE I moved from a channel marketing for MEA role to business support and transformation to channel sales. There are so many advantages to getting into Sales this way because the learning curve is tremendous and you get to know so much of the business, partners and really the back office. All these give you the understanding you need to be successful at what you do and understand your support network. As I am new to Sales, my goal is to make a positive impact and add value, so that everyone wonders "where was she until now?"

On the road ahead in your professional journey, what are the ambitions that motivate you?

It's the same for all of us I guess, making a positive impact, building my career and gaining knowledge, broadening my network and reaching the top - wherever that is.