Anna, how did you get to Univitis?
“I come from Irkutsk, a town next to Lake Baikal in Siberia. It was love that brought me to France. I followed my husband 20 years ago and we settled in the Périgord region.
In 2007, while training at the Institut Force de Vente in Bergerac-Périgueux, I had to find an internship to validate my diploma. My neighbor, who knew I was looking for a company, kindly gave me a copy of an article that had appeared in the Sud-Ouest newspaper, featuring an interview with the Sales Director of Univitis, highlighting the company’s success in export markets. After reading the article, I really wanted to join Univitis and I took a chance by sending in an unsolicited application for the internship. That’s how my path crossed that of Univitis!
After a three-month internship, I signed up for a 6-month fixed-term contract, and that’s how my story with Univitis has lasted for over 15 years!”
What does your job as export sales assistant and regional sales manager entail?
“As an Assistant, I ensure that our export customers’ orders are carried out correctly. As well as entering orders, I take care of all the administrative procedures, which are very different from one country to another, and I make sure that the merchandise arrives at its destination and isn’t held up in customs, for example. For some countries in Asia, there are a multitude of documents to be provided, and we even have to send videos and photos of the bottling process. Sending an export order takes a lot of time. I also assist the export sales team in their prospection, managing in particular the sending of samples and any additional information required. As they’re often on the move, I act as their relay both internally and externally.
When I’m in charge of the export zone, my job is more to contact our customers to expand the range on their premises, and above all to prospect the Eastern European market, for which I’m responsible, to find new customers”.
What skills do you think an export sales assistant needs?
“First of all, you need communication skills because you need to be able to communicate effectively with customers, suppliers and work colleagues. It’s important to be able to express yourself clearly and courteously, both orally and in writing. But when it comes to exporting, a good command of foreign languages is a must. The prerequisite is English, because most export documents are written in English, and depending on the area you’re dealing with, it’s a real asset to master the language of the country you’re exporting to (German, Russian, Dutch, etc.). For my part, I speak a total of four languages: Russian (my mother tongue), French (my adopted language), English and German.
Secondly, you have to be organized, since each order requires different procedures depending on the country, and you have to manage several files simultaneously with strict deadlines to be met. You’re constantly moving from one culture to another.”
How do you manage your two roles ( regional sales manager and sales assistant)?
“In the beginning, it wasn’t easy for me because I wanted to manage everything myself, and I had trouble finding a good organization and balance between these two functions. As a result, I was a little frustrated because I felt I wasn’t completing every operation. But since the beginning of the year, we’ve reorganized our department, which means I can devote more time to prospecting and feel more at ease when I’m out and about. I’ve also learned to delegate and rely on my colleagues!”
What's your favorite part of the working day?
“My favorite part of the day is when we land a new order or a new customer. But it’s also in the evening, when I turn off my computer with the feeling that I’ve completed all the missions and tasks I’d set myself for the day. It really is a moment of satisfaction!”
What do you enjoy most about your job?
“Among my favorite missions are, of course, trade shows, visits to our prospects’ and customers’ head offices, and trips to the local area. We meet importers and distributors and do our utmost to promote our cooperative’s wines. Sales contact is something I really enjoy.”
Can you tell us an anecdote that happened to you at Univitis ?
“French is not my mother tongue. I think I master it pretty well, but sometimes there are subtleties that escape me and I can misspell a few words or use a word that doesn’t exactly have the intended meaning, which sometimes makes my interlocutors laugh!
Let’s just say it’s part of my charm.”
What's your favorite wine from our cooperative winery?
“I have a soft spot for our new LARMONI range because not only is the label very aesthetic, uncluttered and original, but the wines are really very good. I particularly like Larmoni red with its red fruit aromas and spicy notes. What’s more, this range has just been introduced to a new customer in my area, so naturally I’m very proud of this achievement.”
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