We simply could not be the Willow Electrical Supply that we are without our great employees. It’s our internal tradition to celebrate our employees, and appreciate them. This time we celebrate Alan’s 80th birthday, he’s our Counter Sales representative here at the Schiller Park location. Moreover, I got a chance to chat with him about the electrical industry and this is what he had to say.
How long have you been in the electrical industry?
I’ve been in the industry for over forty-six years now, but I enjoy it because you never stop learning. Every day is a new challenge, there’s never a dull moment. Moreover, working with great people always helps.
How long have you been working at Willow Electrical Supply? Did you work at any other supply houses in the past?
I’ve been at Willow Electrical for about six months now. The people here are very knowledgeable. Compared to the other supply houses I’ve worked at in the past it’s very different here. In the past I’ve worked for Steiner Electric, Northwest Electric, as well as Rave & Jim’s where I worked as an outside rep.
How has the electrical industry changed over the years?
New products changed with the influx of computers. In addition, what changed is that people are using the internet to buy electrical products. Sometimes that could have negative results. For example, they don’t always know if they’re getting the right product for their needs.
What’s the most challenging part about working in this industry? What do you find rewarding about it?
Every day is a challenge! Simultaneously this can be rewarding, for example when you’re able to solve customer’s problems. Hence, creativity is an important factor, and trust is another. Lastly, being able to resolve your customer’s problems is always rewarding.
Would you recommend a job in the electrical industry to the young people entering the workforce? Why or why not?
It’s a tough business, and you have to have some product knowledge to get your foot in the door. It takes time to break a Counter Person in and it could take years to really learn the products. Nevertheless, I would recommend this job to the young people entering the workforce. While it could be challenging to learn the products, it’s all worth it in the long run. Further, there’s job security in the electrical sales industry. Once you grasp product knowledge, there’s always a constant need to keep with the new technology coming out. Additionally, you never get bored because it’s always changing. Besides, good electrical sales representatives are always in high demand. Hence, I would highly recommend this industry to anyone.
Once again, Happy Birthday Alan and thank you for taking the time to chat with me about the electrical industry.
