Vikash Chandika
Business Development Manager
Northriding
Summary
To be genuinely motivated and to forward interests of the company and the job I am prescribed to. Driven Area Sales Manager with 18 years of experience in management capacity and strong competitive sales drive, adaptability and perseverance. Well-honed listening skills and problem-solving attitude to uncover needs and overcome objections to close sales and achieve goals within multiple assigned territories. Successfully motivates and develops sales teams in results-driven and customer-focused environments with positive attitude towards achievement.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Business Development Manager
Gumtree SA
Randburg
01.2019 - Current
- Coordinated innovative strategies to accomplish marketing objectives and boost long-term profitability.
- Reached out to potential customers via telephone, email and in-person inquiries.
- Collaborated with sales and marketing departments to support project rollout.
- Negotiated, prepared and signed contracts with clients.
- Partnered with business teams and IT personnel to align project goals with business strategy and define project milestones.
- Compiled product and customer data to generate informed profit projections.
- Performed client research and identified opportunities for account growth, account penetration and market expansion.
- Developed new proposals, contracts and procedures to draw in more clients and streamline work operations.
- Identified key products, services and customers and used data to devise innovative sales and marketing plans enabling dramatic growth.
- Developed and promoted successful company sales and account management personnel into leadership positions to drive company growth.
- Identified distributor challenges related to corporate service offerings in order to formulate potential solutions.
- Performed research to uncover potential target areas, markets and industries.
- Consulted with product development teams to enhance products based on customer interest data.
- Created reports and presentations detailing business development activities.
- Completed and submitted monthly and yearly reports to support executive decision making.
- Identified and pursued valuable business opportunities to generate new company revenue and improve bottom line profit.
- Generated new business with marketing initiatives and strategic plans.
- Researched industry and marketplace trends to develop marketing solutions and enhance business operations.
- Collected data and performed customer needs analysis.
- Uncovered and qualified prospects and sales opportunities in targeted markets using external resources.
- Established relationships with key decision-makers within customer's organization to promote growth and retention.
- Collaborated with company departments to develop new strategies to capitalize on emerging customer and market trends.
- Incorporated product changes into marketing messages to drive customer engagement and maximize profits.
- Kept meticulous client notes and updated account information in company databases.
- Worked with existing customers to increase purchases of products and services.
- Scheduled and implemented product promotions in accordance with available inventory and staff resources.
- Implemented successful approaches to revitalize underperforming product lines and create new profit-generating enterprises.
- Devised effective marketing, sales and other promotional initiatives.
- Negotiated and closed long-term agreements with new clients in assigned territory.
- Taught consultative selling techniques to new and existing staff members to build expertise.
- Developed and implemented favorable pricing structures balancing firm objectives against customer targets.
- Represented company and promoted products at conferences and industry events.
Business Owner
Goodfella's Sport Bar
Ottawa
05.2016 - 04.2018
- Business licensing and statutory matters
- Conducted audit inspections and independent checks to verify parts and materials.
- Conducted target market research to discover customer needs and analyze competitor trends.
- Trained and motivated employees to perform daily business functions.
- Put together realistic budgets based upon costs and fees for successfully operating business.
- Devised and deployed sales and marketing tactics to drive strategic growth and support achievement of revenue goals.
- Created and monitored promotional approaches to increase sales and profit levels.
- Optimized team hiring, training and performance.
- Consulted with customers to assess needs and propose optimal solutions.
- Evaluated suppliers to maintain cost controls and improve operations.
- Prepared bank deposits and handled business sales, returns and transaction reports.
- Trained and coached new and existing employees to boost staff productivity.
- Oversaw business budget planning and administration, accounting functions, purchasing and bi-weekly payroll to handle financial needs.
- Capitalized on social media platforms to increase market awareness and recruit sales agents.
- Assessed damaged materials and notified maintenance personnel of needed repairs.
- Employed prompt decision-making and in-depth research to resolve issues.
- Adhered to regulatory and policy changes and made necessary adjustments to maintain overall success.
- Worked with marketing teams to create print and online advertisements to bring in new customers.
- Entered income and expense details into business databases to track purchases and address variances.
- Achieved sales goals and increased revenue and profits through productive strategy development and organizational leadership.
Area Sales Manager
Auto Trader
Durban
04.2013 - 04.2016
- Established strong relationships with major accounts and key decision-makers to increase sales in designated territory.
- Collaborated with vendors and built effective partnerships devoted to capitalizing on emerging and sustainable sales opportunities.
- Hired, trained and managed sales staff and administered and implemented compensation plan to support area sales goals.
- Executed proven strategies to hit sales quota and help company achieve goals.
- Introduced new products to meet customer demand and increase profits.
- Collaborated with clients and distributors to create and promote new products.
- Led targeted training programs to educate staff on product benefits and service capabilities.
- Created effective strategies to target new markets after researching and analyzing competitor behavior.
- Forecasted sales and established processes to achieve sales objectives and related metrics.
- Helped team stay productive and focused on higher-value tasks to improve sales efficiency.
- Formulated tactics and strategies to target new potential customers within prioritized markets.
- Built lasting relationships with clients through outstanding customer service interactions.
- Led sales region to increase sales and boost team morale.
- Evaluated costs against expected market price points and set structures to achieve profit targets.
- Held meetings with director to identify techniques to overcome sales obstacles.
- Modeled strong negotiation skills to help team members close tough deals with lucrative clients.
- Exceeded targets by building, directing and motivating high-performing sales team.
- Directed sales support staff in administrative tasks to help sales reps close deals.
- Reported sales activity, generated sales quotations and proposals and maintained customer contact database to achieve sales objectives and quota.
- Introduced cost-saving initiatives to reduce losses and increase profit margin.
- Set and achieved sales targets for KZN region.
- Directed a team of six sales representatives.
Account Executive
Autotrader
KZN
02.2010 - 03.2013
- Built and strengthened relationships with new and existing accounts to drive revenue growth.
- Negotiated sales deals between customers and agency, resulting in mutually beneficial agreements and cultivated relationships.
- Trained clients on product features and updates to secure buy-in.
- Reviewed accounts monthly to monitor and track customer satisfaction and complaints.
- Gathered information from clients to secure accounts, verify payment and identify special requirements.
- Serviced accounts and proposed new products and services to maximize revenue.
- Employed proactive and collaborative approaches to strengthen relationships and manage customer needs.
- Managed sales cycle to maintain solid customer base.
- Resolved issues promptly to drive satisfaction and enhance customer service.
- Stayed up-to-date on emerging industry and product standards and trends to revitalize accounts.
- Gained understanding of goals, objectives and processes to meet client business needs.
- Designed program and maintenance plans to monitor product inventories.
- Met and exceeded service level goals to achieve standards and expectations.
- Applied needs-based analysis to assess current satisfaction and importance of various product features to customers.
- Communicated between internal and external stakeholders, clients and vendors.
- Cold called, canvassed and obtained referrals to develop sales pipeline.
- Presented product concepts and offerings to meet client specifications and preferences.
- Identified customer needs to achieve service levels that met and exceeded expectations.
- Distributed marketing materials to existing and prospective clients to promote products and services.
- Researched competitive landscape and emerging technologies to position brand in global marketplace.
- Conducted integrated sales presentations to illustrate value of product or service and tailor call-to-action.
- Cross-sold products and services to clients to secure additional business and grow revenue streams.
Sales Support agent
Autotrader
KZN
02.2004 - 01.2010
- Prepared Adverts
- Collection of data
- Submission of adverts for printing
- Support account executives
- Developed working knowledge of CRM to effectively track sales leads and activities.
- Learned and frequently used multiple sales systems to investigate, track and correct customers' issues.
- Collaborated with vendor development and support staff to resolve various issues impacting sales activities.
- Documented customer complaints and completed corrective action requests.
- Coordinated responses and resources to handle special client requests.
- Supported Advertising industry sales team by preparing proposals and benchmarking reports.
- Followed up on web leads, pre-qualified contacts and converted potential customers into sales appointments.
- Kept detailed records of daily activities through online customer database.
- Consulted with businesses to supply accurate product and service information.
- Prepared and deliver customer sales quotes.
- Built diverse and consistent sales portfolio.
- Achieved or exceeded company-defined sales quotas.
- Informed customers of promotions to increase sales productivity and volume.
- Built relationships with customers and community to promote long term business growth.
- Maintained current knowledge of evolving changes in marketplace.
- Presented professional image consistent with company's brand values.
- Contributed to event marketing, sales and brand promotion.
- Trained new employees on customer service, money handling and organizing strategies.
- Drove store revenue by offering customers accessories and related purchases to complete selections.
- Negotiated prices, terms of sales and service agreements.
- Fostered lasting relationships with customers through effective communication and quick response, resulting in long-term loyalty and expanded client base.
- Worked with sales team to collaboratively reach targets, consistently meeting or exceeding personal quotas.
- Exceptional computer skills
Education
National Diploma - Business Management
Berea Technical College
Durban 01.2004 - 01.2004
Skills
Lead qualification
Relationship building
Closing strategies
Sales team supervision
Territory Management
Account management
Sales presentations
Analytical problem solver
Business development and planning
Systems and software programs
Direct sales
Database Management
Review of contracts
B to B sales
Solution selling
Sales processes
Coaching and mentoring
Accomplished manager
Strategic planning
Sales Reporting
Strategic account development
Extensive personal network
New Business Development
Trained in consumer marketing
Timeline
Business Development Manager
Gumtree SA
01.2019 - Current
Business Owner
Goodfella's Sport Bar
05.2016 - 04.2018
Area Sales Manager
Auto Trader
04.2013 - 04.2016
Account Executive
Autotrader
02.2010 - 03.2013
Sales Support agent
Autotrader
02.2004 - 01.2010
National Diploma - Business Management
Berea Technical College
01.2004 - 01.2004