10 Minutes With.. Anna Smolyaeva

10 Minutes With.. Anna Smolyaeva

Anna is our Commercial Sales Lead, responsible for co-ordinating our more complex installations with larger customers and those connected with construction projects. How does she ensure that her projects stay on time, on target and on budget? Find out here…

“I sort of got into this industry by accident. I have a background in Technical Sales and the necessity to meet compliance in other industries is very transferrable to Waste. I started here, working with key accounts and, over time, I’ve found myself working on bigger projects and taking more responsibility.

“Day to day, the most important part of my work is to ensure customers hit their construction deadlines, provide them with what they need, when they need it but that’s only a part of what I do.

“It’s equally important that I have a strong rapport with customers, that I understand what they’re trying to achieve and that I build up enough trust that, when I suggest better ways to get to their goal, they listen to me.

“For that to happen, not only do I need to understand their processes, I also need to be more aware of their environmental impact and of upcoming legislation than they are.

“In addition to maintaining customer relationships, I also spend a lot of time looking for the next commercial customer. I generate leads, visit interesting companies and provide them with quotes. I like to be the first person a customer meets before a project and then their first point of contact throughout.

“I’m also keen to work with more festivals. Last year, we provided portable toilets and bins to the El Dorado festival in Ledbury and other events. It’s a service we’re perfectly qualified to perform and I think we can do far more of it.

“I’m originally from Ukraine but have lived in Herefordshire for over seventeen years – and I couldn’t wish for anywhere better. I love being outdoors, spending time with my rescue dog and developing my cookery skills.”