We caught up with Keith Cole this month, President of Sales, North America at Foods Connected. Keith recently joined the business to lead our expansion into the US Market as we gear up to grow our team stateside! Keep reading to hear all about his career journey and what he's most looking forward to in the year ahead.
What attracted you to your chosen career path?
While attending Michigan State University, I had a psychology professor who discussed the merits of being a professional salesperson. He talked about what a great career Sales could be. Unlike many other corporate positions, in Sales, your success is tied directly to your effort and is a crucial component of the overall success of the entire organization. The job requires you to travel to new places and meet new people almost every week. My professor pointed out that you aren’t selling as much as you are solving problems. For me, this position at Foods Connected is a dream job and I look forward solving more problems as we move towards to greater expansion of the company into North America.
What has been your proudest (or most accomplished) moment of your time with Foods Connected so far?
My reputation within the industry, and the long-term relationships I have developed, are based upon trust and earned goodwill. Several people from the food industry, some of whom I have known for decades, have contacted me about Foods Connected because they know I choose my partnerships carefully and they trust me.
Tell us something not many people would guess about you?
I am outnumbered in my family and never win any arguments. I have been blessed with three beautiful daughters and I have a lovely wife who argues for a living. She is the supervising prosecutor for the Compton, California courthouse. I don’t ever try to tell her she is wrong. Her famous saying is “I thought I was wrong once, but then I realized I was mistaken.” I am also committed to my daily hot yoga practice to keep calm, healthy, and fit. Namaste.
What advice would you give those looking to kick start a career at Foods Connected?
Foods Connected will be the company in North America that every food brand will want to consider when they are implementing Food Safety and Quality Assurance software. Becoming part of the Foods Connected team is a great choice. At Foods Connected, we are going to grow the business, solve problems, and satisfy our customers for years to come.
What are you most looking forward to at Foods Connected in 2023?
In 2023, we will add great brands to our impressive portfolio of happy customers. I look forward to traveling to Northern Ireland soon to meet face-to-face many of my teammates for the first time. This week, I am headed to the Global Food Safety Initiative Conference in Atlanta and will be connecting with the leaders of safety and quality in the food industry.
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