01732 759725 50 which provides real-time alerts on prospect activity or intent signals, would mean less time spent on admin and more time engaging with the right prospects at the right moment. While nothing can replace the human element in sales, leveraging smarter automation would undoubtedly make my work - and those of many BDEs – more effective and rewarding. Which company do you most admire outside of our industry? Ecotricity is one of a select few energy companies that reinvest their customer’s bills into building new forms of green energy, rather than paying huge dividends at the expense of our one-of-one atmosphere. What excites you most about the future? I’m not sure if Easter counts as an answer here, but I’m certainly excited about super-sized chocolate eggs! All jokes aside, technology is constantly shattering the glass ceilings we put in front of it. So, getting to witness the fastest-growing period in tech history makes me feel very anticipatory. It feels like there’s a possibility I could wake up and a laborious task became obsolete overnight. responsibility it gives me; I am only ever as busy as I make myself. Selectec is very invested in personal development, so thankfully, I can self-evaluate what I need to improve on and do it! What’s the best bit of business advice you’ve been given? It’s not the outcome that’s impressive, it’s the effort. It’s helped me stay consistent and has made even the smallest wins feel more significant – knowing the effort I have placed elsewhere has also contributed to this success. Holding yourself to a standard of work, is in your control, holding yourself to a standard of outcome, is unreliable and likely to cause burnouts. Sales are never guaranteed, but if the effort is, then you know you’re on an upward trajectory. What would make your day job easier? Aside from a crystal ball and a personal barista? Success in tech sales, to me, depends on efficiency, data, and timing. And so, one of the biggest game‑changers would be smarter, real‑time prospect intelligence. While CRMs and automation software have come a long way, they still require significant manual input and upkeep. Having more AI-driven intelligence, When did you first join the print sector and what attracted you? When I joined the print sector in May last year, I had been told a few times to think about a sales job. I had embraced my personality in bar and club jobs, and after leaving university, I couldn’t think of anything worse than a rigid office job. I knew my now Sales Director Ben personally and convinced him to allow me to show him what I could do – and I’m sure he’d agree that my charisma isn’t industry-specific. What do you most enjoy about your job? I love the flexibility and personal RISING STAR 60 seconds with… Kai Smith, Business Development Executive, Selectec PRINT IT RESELLER MAGAZINE RISING STARS IN PRINT & ONLINE SINCE 2016 Kai Smith Early bird or night owl? Night owl for sure. There should only be one 6 o’clock in the day! Favourite app, and why? After setting the ridiculous and almost comical goal of running a marathon in 2025, Runna shocked me when I downloaded it at the start of the year. I have always been a Strava‑ultra and thought that was it for life, but the personalised running plans have made a real difference in my focus and results. One screen, two or more? I’m currently rocking three, and honestly, I can’t see myself ever downsizing. If anything, I need more. It’s a fair reflection of my sales brain, but juggling 15 things at once feels manageable when each task has its dedicated screen real estate. Favourite quote/motto? “Each day, you either progress or regress.” It speaks to the idea that improvement and success are journeys, put together bit by bit. Tomorrow is made easier by the hardships of today, making today easier, only makes tomorrow harder. I came across this quote a few years ago, and it hit me - progress isn’t some grand, gift-wrapped moment. It’s simply showing up, pushing forward, and stacking small wins. The alternative? Assuming you can pause and pick up where you left off… only to realise the game has moved on without you. Last film you watched? Snowpiercer (2013). The main takeaway for me? Perspective is everything. Acting without it can do more harm than good, and sometimes, you may not know any better! How do you like to spend your spare time? Football has always been a big part of my life, and in more recent years golf has too – whether I’m staying active by playing or kicking back watching it with some friends, it’s always a great time. Since moving back to the countryside, sunset running has become a must. And if 5 pm sneaks up on me quickly, I’ll throw on a tweed jacket, and get the Gmail locked and loaded – it’s open season for new reseller partners! “ Each day, you either progress or regress”
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