Success Story: 
Nikki Funress
Personal summary
Nikki Furness (25) graduated from the University of East Anglia
in 2005 with a degree in English Literature & History
Current Employer
I work for Select Property – the UK’s leading specialist in
off-plan overseas investment property, working in countries
including Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah and Turkey. My current role is as
an Elite Sales Manager, which allows me to sell across all of the
countries we operate in and manage a team of people. I enjoy a good
salary, private health care and a range of incentives including ski
trips and team building activities.
Why did you choose sales as a career?
I have always enjoyed working with people and wanted a career
that would allow me to actively interact with people at all levels.
Sales offered the ideal opportunity as I’m dealing with clients,
suppliers and internal colleagues every day. I am also a very
competitive person and always like to challenge myself to be the
best. This is a fantastic asset in sales, as you need to have that
sort of drive and focus to help you hit your targets and grow your
career.
When did you start your career?
After graduating I worked for a year to save money to go
travelling around Africa. When I returned I contacted Pareto and
had a phone interview, before being invited to an assessment day. I
was really attracted by the range of companies they worked with and
the insight they gave into the sales roles offered. I joined Select
Property as a Sales Executive in January 2007 as I wanted to be
part of an entrepreneurial, fast-paced business were I would be
able to make a real contribution and gain recognition and
advancement from my successes.
What was the biggest challenge in the sales
environment?
It’s important to ensure that I constantly know what is going on
in the news here, in the countries we sell in and with our
developments – we need to be able to converse with our clients
about investment and economic factors such as exchange rates,
inflation and the global stock markets so you need to keep up to
date with these areas.
What have you found to be the best part of your
role?
The best part for me is the recognition and sense of achievement
you get at Select Property – it really helps motivate me and I
enjoy being seen to perform well. The other key element is the
opportunity to build relationships with clients from countries all
over the world, who work in a variety of different industries. This
was one of the main reasons I went into sales, I enjoy building and
maintaining these relationships for myself and the business.
How has your career progressed?
Since joining the company as a Sales Executive, I was quickly
promoted to Sales Assistant Manager in October 2007, before being
made Sales Manager in December of the same year. My promotions
recognised the achievements I had made in my career and allowed me
to develop the necessary managerial skills to support and develop a
team. In January 2008 I moved out to Dubai to manage the sales
team. I felt very privileged to have received this opportunity
after only a year of joining the company. Working in the Dubai
office is what everyone in the business aspires too. I spent just
over six months there, managing a small team and it was a great
chance to prove myself selling face to face in the area. When I
returned I was appointed to my current role of Elite Sales
Manager.
How do you see your future developing?
At the moment I love my current role – it combines all of the
elements I enjoy such as selling, management and input into
planning. I also have the opportunity to help develop new people
that join the team, while still being able to enjoy the buzz of the
sales floor. I am one of just three Elite Sales Managers and see
myself continuing in this role at present, with the potential to
develop my career as the company continues to expand.
Is there any advice you’d offer to others considering a
career in sales?
You really need to believe in what you are selling if you are
going to be successful for yourself and for your company. You need
to take your career and your personal development seriously. A
sales career not only offers fantastic opportunities but is the
perfect place to gain a good understanding of business and develop
your commercial acumen.