Megan Erber

supplier sales rep of the year

First Runner-Up

Megan Erber Jetline

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Erber says there are t is not lightly that we compare Megan Erber, sales rep extraordinaire at White Plains, NY-based Jetline, to super- three things she’s learned woman. Consider the following: At the age of 32, she’s been that have helped her in the industry for eight years – first as a distributor and then develop into the rep she is a supplier – is raising five children, served in the United States Navy today: “First, every salesonboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, volunteers on industry person is different – what boards and committees, works with a multitude of charities and works for one rep might trains to fight at mixed martial arts events every weekend. So you not work for another,” she says. “You need to be yourself, because when you’re out there on the road you’re selling yourself. Your see, when we say Megan Erber kicks ass, we mean it literally. “Megan has really gone above and beyond as a salesperson customers are going to want to buy from your company because and rep for Jetline,” says Davina Cook of Market Incentives they want to buy from you. Second, follow up. There are so many Corporation. “She is on the ball, courteous and knows her prod- reps who spend so much money going to these shows and then uct lines. She’s always available, meets with us frequently and don’t spend the time following up after.  I can’t tell you how many follows up to make sure everything was done correctly. I have times distributors were actually surprised that I followed up with been in the industry for over 16 years and have never seen a rep them after the show – to send them tracking on the samples or catalogs they ordered or to get their logo to do such a fantastic job.” work on projects we discussed at the show. It But the proof, as they say, is in the pudding – shows that I want their business and that I’m the pudding in this case being the nearly sevenwilling to go the extra mile to earn it. Third, figure jump in sales in Erber’s account base. social media has been one of my biggest allies.” Charity Gibson, CEO of Green Banana And in this challenging economy, what are Promotions, maintains that Erber is hands some of Erber’s sales strategies? “Just being down the most responsive rep with whom myself and using social media and even more, she’s ever worked. “I can text, e-mail, Facebeing myself on my social media sites,” she says. book message, send smoke signals ... what– Jeffrey Geiger, Geiger “I have found that people find it refreshing that ever, and she gets back to me with whatever I’m not ‘normal.’ I am a jokester, I love to laugh, I need right away,” Gibson says. “Not only that, but if she doesn’t have it she sends me in the right direction. I love my family and I am genuine. Everyone has ups and downs in Meg is always willing to lend her expertise and wisdom, and I love life, and I’m no exception. I put myself out there, good and bad for that her experience has spanned both the supplier and distribu- laughs and for support. For instance, I am really into Mixed Martial tor sides of the industry. This knowledge helps her to understand Arts (MMA) and jiu jitsu. I train almost every day, even when I’m where I am coming from as a distributor and explain to me how on the road. I find a local 10th Planet gym or affiliated school and I can be better and more helpful to my clients and my suppliers.”  practice, and when I compete I put all that out there for everyone, “First and foremost, she’s hardworking,” says Jeffrey Geiger, win or lose. The amount of support I’ve received over this has been marketing technology manager at Counselor Top 40 distributor tremendous. Being on social media, I feel, lets people know that Geiger. “We live on opposite coasts, 3,000 miles apart, but I I’m not just an order-taker. I’m a mom before anything else, a lover used to see Meg at every show I attended – she must have been and a fighter, and a road warrior to say the least.” Nothing if not persistent and confident, Erber has a plan for working them all.  Secondly, she takes risks. She’s not afraid to put herself out there on the trade show floor, online, at events, overcoming a common sales obstacle. “So far, my biggest chalwherever.  People who take risks often reap the greatest rewards, lenge has been getting my foot in the door with customers that which is why she’s so great. Lastly, she’s just a good person. You are only allowed to see set suppliers,” Erber admits. “It’s not very want to do business with Jetline because of Meg.  I think we all often, as I can be quite charming, but it happened the other day and my feelings were a little hurt. They truly are missing out.” prefer working with those we like and trust.”

“You want to do business with Jetline because of Meg.”

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012 WWW.SUPPLIERGLOBALRESOURCE.COM