Sales Rep of the Month, Drew Humphries
Before she was crowned Sales Rep of the Month at IMAX Worldwide Home, headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Drew Humphries hailed from North Carolina. A fact which may have a little something to do with affectionately being dubbed the Sweet Southern Belle by her colleagues. She is after all, the unofficial aficionado of email etiquette among her peers. It’s pretty much standard procedure to consult Drew prior to hitting send, lest anything unintentionally be misinterpreted on the receiving end of an electronic correspondence as anything remotely resembling impolite.
A former art major, it was during her time as a student of graphic design that she came to understand and appreciate the role of design in the broader sense – in product design, in our world, and in our everyday lives – that fueled her passion for the home décor industry and ultimately guided the direction of her path to her current position with IMAX.
As Regional Account Manager in the sales department, Drew’s responsibility is to quickly, efficiently and professionally meet the product needs of home accessory retailers (#winning). A job description however, often belies the breadth and depth of exactly what the words mean. To define those details – which usually entails a nebulous mix of science and art – is more like nailing Jell-O® to a wall. Yet that’s exactly where the proverbial wheat is separated from the chaff, and the next thing you know somebody’s getting some recognition for being awesome. We’re looking at you, Drew Humphries.
If a recipe for success could be distilled down to its core essence however, at least in this case, it seems to come down to building great relationships. In addition to an appreciation for design and having an innate passion for the industry, she’s a bona fide people-person. Interacting with customers and coworkers on the daily is something she authentically enjoys. Because, in addition to the fact that time spent talking or meeting with a customer will primarily be dedicated to assessing needs, recommending product selections and in general helping them to achieve their vision, the conversation will also most likely turn to kids, or vacations, or inquiries as to the general status of things outside of work.
Drew says, “Being able to connect with people on a personal level is what really brings me satisfaction and a sense of fulfillment. I love hearing about how my customer’s lives are…even if it’s just talking about simple things like plans for the upcoming weekend.” These types of conversations – business served with a smile and an extra helping of humanity – are what great working relationships are built upon. While deeply grateful for having “the best of the best” customers, she’s the first one to point out that the ability to effectively do her job is not by any stretch a solo effort, and gives much credit to her teammates.
As she puts it, “I love coming into work every day knowing that I can see all of my favorite coworkers and that we can tackle each day together. Having the support of a team brings not only great moral to our department, but a fun and uplifting atmosphere, as well.” That team extends beyond the sales department, she adds, citing the well-oiled machine that is comprised of Customer Service, Shipping, and Logistics among others, as crucial to the process. “We work as a team here at IMAX and every moving part is just as valuable as the next. I might just get the reward of being the one to hear from the customer personally, as to how thankful they were for the support, but my team made it ultimately happen. It’s not by me alone that the day was saved.”
We, as a species, enjoy each other (for the most part). If we’re lucky, we have fulfilling relationships both at home and at work. Ideally, we also enjoy what we do to make a living. For some like Drew Humphries, it’s the recipe for success. When she’s not being awesome on the job, she’s traveling, trying new cuisines and “experiencing all of life’s small and large blessings with my soon-to-be hubby.” Remarkably, despite being literally hours away from heading to the alter, there isn’t the slightest ruffle in her impossibly gracious demeanor. In conclusion she adds, “I wouldn’t be as happy as I am today without the love and support of my incredible family and friends, and ultimately, God!” From everyone at IMAX, thanks for all of your hard work and dedication, Drew. You are appreciated.
Note: As of the date of publication, Drew’s “soon-to-be-hubby” is now her husband. Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Jason and Drew Tenison!
Raves for Faves
The top 3 IMAX products according to Drew:
NK Agate Silver Chandelier Item Number: 14865
Unique and great conversation piece, I would definitely hang this above a kitchen island.
Isla Carved Wood Whale Item Number: 14633
This whale has always been one of my favorites since its debut. Most every time I recommend him, customers add this cute guy to their collection.
Lansa Buffet Item Number: 14669
I love large, chunky furniture with included storage. The color and quality of this buffet is top notch and just my style.
