In a new series of Employee Spotlights, Acorn is showcasing the amazing team behind our products. For this month's Employee Spotlight, we spoke to Vic Dyson, in the UK Trade department, who has just celebrated her 20-year anniversary at Acorn.
What is your job title?
I am the Business to Business Sales Manager - UK and Export.
What are the main responsibilities within your job role?
The Trade desk sells stairlifts to different companies globally. We have revenue targets and KPIs within the team to find new businesses and territories to sell to. We need to build and maintain strong relationships, which guarantees regular, repeat orders. As the manager, I ensure each team member can and does achieve their targets and that they all know what is expected of them.
Our goal within the department is to sell stairlifts to every country in the world – we're about halfway there now, but we're working on it!
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I also started the process to become a police officer, but when the application form came through the door, it was so big that it put me off, and I put it straight in the bin!
I soon got those ideas out of my head, but yes, definitely some kind of designer - very far removed from selling stairlifts.
Tell us about your journey at Acorn...
I started at Acorn in 2002 on the 'Canvas' team, which doesn't exist anymore. Within the UK Retail Sales department, I was part of a smaller team that used to call really old leads and try and appoint them.
I did that for a few months, but then, thankfully, there was a job vacancy available in the Installations department in Shipley. I applied for the job and got an interview with Bob Matthews, who was the former Operations Director. I started off as an Installations Coordinator, with Nick Wilson (who is now our Operations Director). At this time, there were only us two in the department and by default, I became Nick's second-in-command. When the department expanded, I became the supervisor and then the manager of the Installations department.
I then came to Steeton in 2013 to work on the Trade Desk. I've been here ever since and never looked back!
What is your favourite part about your job?
I love the people I work closely with. We are such a nice, close-knit team--almost like a little family. The Trade guys are the best!
There is a lot of variety in my job role. I learn something new every day, whether that is relating to shipping, exporting, important, country-specific laws/rules and regulations, or something else from many different territories that we try to get involved with. There's always something different to learn every single day.
Additionally, something I enjoy is dealing with the many different departments within the business, including finance and all the separate operational departments, like the factories, technical support, and customer service. I would say it's completely different to other departments who don't typically get that kind of communication with the rest of the company. We get to speak to everybody, and I like that.
How do you keep yourself motivated at work?
By default, I have to be motivated. It's part of my job role. I need to stay motivated for my team, as I have to keep them motivated too. I think I am a driven person anyway; I don't think I would have been here for 20 years if I felt like I didn't want to come to work every morning. I enjoy coming to work every single day, even 20 years down the line, which I know is a massive cliché, but it's how I feel!
What is one achievement you feel particularly proud of – either professional or personal?
Having Rex – my little boy! He is most definitely my best achievement to date. He's seven now, and is so smart, funny, and impresses me every single day. My whole outlook on life has completely changed since becoming a mother. I never thought that I would ever want to have children, and I wasn't very maternal, but then, one day, I thought “oh we're knocking on a bit now!”. We had our son, and we wish we had done it sooner.
What is one thing people don't know about you that they would be surprised to find out?
This is a difficult one for me – I'm pretty much an open book.
I can only go bog-eyed with one eye.
I'm allergic to peas, and if I eat them my lips swell!
A random selection of facts, but there you go!
This or that?
Cats or Dogs? – That's a really difficult one for me. I used to have cats, but now, I have a dog. I'm going to say dogs because you get more back from them (but I do still love cats).
Tea or Coffee? – Tea! My favourite has to be Yorkshire Tea all day long. The gold one!
Call or Text? - It depends on what situation you're in. I'm not one of these people who will text an essay or a novel to my friends, but if you can do it in a text rather than speaking to someone I probably will do it.
Halloween or Christmas? – Christmas. Usually, we (Martin) cooks for 18 people every Christmas, which is quite stressful.This year we're going out for Christmas dinner, and I'm really looking forward to it.
City or Countryside? – I'm definitely a country girl.
The Amazing Team Behind Acorn Stairlifts
Acorn's passion for helping countless people reach new heights all boils down to not only our confidence in our superior stairlift products, but the attentiveness and support of a team who truly cares about our customers and wants to make a difference.
From start to finish, Acorn assures that our customers are taken care of. From the strict standards we adhere to during manufacturing, to our superior stairlift servicing within your home, Acorn Stairlifts is hands-on throughout the entire process to ensure our customers are getting what they deserve—only the best.
Check back in later to learn more fun details about some of our other dedicated Acorn employees in the weeks to come.