For Guy Girling, being part of the Boat Sales Team at Thames & Kennet Marina is like being part of a family. It’s all about collaboration, support, and knowledge-sharing among colleagues. No challenge is too big when they work together, and each day brings new opportunities to learn and grow.
We have asked Guy to answer a few questions as we would love to give everyone an insight into what it is like working as a Boat Sales Executive:
What does an average day in the life of boat sales look like?
No two days are the same, especially at Thames & Kennet Marina. Due to the variance of craft listed, a day will generally involve a mix of, paperwork and administration, to following up with clients from our databases to arranging viewings and gaining listings to meeting clients and discussing their requirements, expectations, and desires with boating.
What is the most unusual thing you like to do to jumpstart your day at the marina?
On arrival at work, I try to get out and amongst the boats where we often see wildlife, and this I find de-stresses any built-up pressures left from the previous day!
Any quirky rituals or lucky charms you swear by for a successful day of boat sales?
I find it important to forget life outside work and so totally focus on the day ahead often by listening to Classic FM on my 3-mile journey to the marina!
Describe a memorable moment when you had to think outside the box to showcase a boat.
This happens every day as we meet different clients from all walks of life and speaking about their interests apart from boating welds a strong relationship so that when the client decides on a boat it's always a pleasure and never a pressurised sale.
Can you share a funny or heartwarming story about connecting with a customer over a shared love of boating?
There are many as a great number of long-term customers become friends. One memory is when I was traveling around Ireland, visiting marinas in the 1990’s and staying in a small village close to the Shannon in the middle of nowhere and suddenly across the bar I heard “Guy Girling, what’s this an Irish takeover” and there in the middle of nowhere was one of my longest term clients who we subsequently had a great Irish evening with and since have formed a strong friendship yet he still buys boats from me!
How do you decompress and reflect on the day’s sales achievements once the marina quietens down?
With a Whiskey!
What was your journey like to becoming a Boat Sales Executive?
I was planning to go into the Merchant Navy, however, I was found to be shortsighted so could not be a deck officer. I attended a Yacht and Boatbuilding Diploma which covered all aspects of the industry, I then decided to seek work close to my home in Henley and was fortunate in sourcing a position at a local family boatyard where I began as a yard hand and developed my skills and knowledge to become sales manager and sales Director, working there for 30 years. At the age of 50, I decided I wanted to return to my routes in selling and took my current position with Tingdene with the task of expanding sales at Thames & Kennet marina which I continue to do 10 years later!
In conclusion, being a Boat Sales Executive is a rewarding and dynamic role that requires dedication, passion, and a love for the boating industry.
We are proud to have a team of dedicated colleagues who embody these qualities and consistently strive for excellence in everything they do. Their unwavering enthusiasm for boating and commitment to providing exceptional service continues to shape unforgettable experiences for our customers.
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