WOMEN WHO SELL WITH SALLY PIGOTT

‘Women Who Sell’ is all about showcasing women who sell and are thriving and challenging stereotypes. We feature real perspectives of what it’s like being someone that identifies as a woman in Sales, the barriers and the breakthroughs.

Here, Sally Pigott, Director of Revenue at CareScribe shares her take.

What is your job title?

Director of Revenue at CareScribe, an Assistive Technology company based in Bristol.

I’m responsible for developing our revenue strategy, delivering on our revenue goals and managing the Sales and Customer Success roles in the business.

How did you get into sales and what makes it the career of your choice?

My first 'true' sales job was an Account Manager role in a small advertising agency, which I was drawn to based on a hunch that I would enjoy something commercial.

Looking back, I can see that this sporadic decision very early in my career was inevitable. I had been instinctively selling my whole life, be it flogging my parents' unwanted items outside our house to neighbours as a child, negotiating a pocket money increase, or taking on multiple commission-based jobs while at uni.

Once I was on the sales path, I quickly realised how much it had to offer. For me, the number one draw is the opportunity it gives you to control your own career opportunities and success.

I have always subscribed to the view that if you’re going to commit to something, give it 110%. Sales is a career path where you can get the reward for this hard work, whether it’s coming from career progression, commission or new experiences.

I also really appreciate the challenge of sales. Hitting a tough target, winning that big deal or solving a difficult problem for a customer is so much sweeter because you had to strive for it. It brings a richness to work-life and builds really important life skills like resilience and determination.

In recent years I have taken on broader revenue focused roles, bringing together new and returning business. As part of this, I have been able to observe how different parts of the customer-facing side of a business can come together to support each other, achieve amazing results and deliver an amazing customer experience.

Are there any barriers you have faced as a woman working in sales, and how have you overcome them?

The biggest challenge I have faced, specifically as a woman in sales, is navigating starting a family alongside a busy and demanding leadership role. In my 20s, I genuinely questioned whether it was possible to be a mum and a Sales Leader - I only saw men filling these roles.

I was very lucky that for me, parenthood came at the same time as the pandemic - a time when businesses were forced to think hard about flexibility in the workplace. This shift was an important part of it being possible for me to continue pushing forward with my career, whilst covering the practical responsibilities that come with being a parent!

Alongside this, my advice to other women who are, or might at some point be navigating this challenge, is to know your worth. Align yourself to companies, and leaders within these companies, that demonstrate they support women in leadership.

If you’re an incredible salesperson or sales leader then you're a hot commodity and switched-on companies will work hard to accommodate you because they know full well that you will do a great job whether or not you need flexibility.

At CareScribe, women make up 80% of our Senior Leadership Team, and I feel very grateful to work alongside inspiring women every day, as well as company founders that genuinely demonstrate their support for women in the workplace.

What do you like the most about being a woman in sales?

At this point in my career, my greatest pleasure is showing other women in sales the one thing that I couldn’t see when I was starting out: there are incredible careers for women in sales leadership, and progression absolutely does not stop if you decide to become a parent.

I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to build sales teams that include women, and watch these incredibly talented women thrive, be promoted and achieve career goals.

What advice do you have for a woman wanting to get into sales and those wanting to advance?

The key advice I would give to anyone in sales is to be determined, proactively seek and engage with feedback and align yourself with a company, leader and team-mates that inspire you and align with your values.

I think that working in an environment that “feels right” for you is important for enabling a person to do their best work. And, in my experience of observing many salespeople, an attitude of embracing challenges and always wanting to better yourself are among the most important characteristics of a highly successful salesperson.

- Written by Tim Macmillan

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