No one else knows better than Eglo, the importance of having a professional and well-informed staff for every aspect of the products and services, especially when they have a leadership position. That’s why we are pleased that we had the opportunity to talk with Silvana Skëndaj, the manager of the Eglo showroom in Tirana e Re (Astir).
After being a part of Eglo and Teoren for 4 years, Silvana shared her thoughts on the decision to join us…
– “My decision to join Eglo was mostly influenced by experience since I have been part of many companies in my professional career.
I have worked for long and short periods, in small and large companies, which has given me the ability to clearly & quickly understand which companies offer good development opportunities. Eglo was one of these companies and I can say that every day since then, I have spent working with lots of love and dedication.”
What are the biggest challenges you have faced in your career at Eglo and what have you learned from them?
– “The first and biggest challenge has been the difficulty in knowing the wide range of products and getting more detailed information about each of them, since the lighting sector is very technical.
As a manager, I need to know everything about products, down to their details and have enough information to give the best suggestions to customers.
This was one of the biggest difficulties in my beginnings at the Eglo/Teoren showrooms, but with hard work and support, I was able to overcome it successfully.”
What aspect of working in this industry has surprised you the most and why?
– ” Truthfully, the aspect that has surprised me the most in the industry is the focus on details.
Thousands of new products are produced every day and trends move quickly, which can distract us from the level of dedication and care that professionals in the field show to various details.
In this sector, the details make the difference and I try to convey this information to the staff, so that they provide to the clients with the best service possible, thus offering not only the satisfaction of the needs but also the best solutions for every detail. All this is done to make sure that the customer leaves the showroom completely satisfied.”
In your opinion, does the difficulty of managing a showroom lie in the organizational, aesthetical, or other aspects?
– “For me, it is a mix of everything.
A manager’s attention must be 24/7 and 360º through the showroom and staff, so that every necessary process or element is carried out and presented properly, making the customer experience as positive as possible.”
What sets Eglo showrooms apart from other showrooms in the same industry?
– “We have tried to offer a special experience to all those who visit our showrooms and we have done this through:
- The areas and locations of the showrooms
- Their density and extent in different cities
- The presentation strategy and the number of products we offer
- The professional service
- The maintenance and aesthetics of showrooms
These are the key features that differentiate us from the rest of the industry, amongst others.”
Do you follow a certain strategy in the display of lighting fixtures in the showroom to attract the attention of customers and if so, what is it?
– “The main strategy we follow is the renovation of the showroom from time to time, to give a new and fresh appearance to the storefront.
The luminaries’ combinations in the stands is also a very important strategy, as it is done by top management on a logical basis. The showroom is also enriched with new products that are developed in this sector.
In short, “New, beautiful, and clean” always attracts customers’ attention and we always try to show this approach, which Eglo has.”
What is your strongest point as a professional?
– “Although predictable, I would say that my strongest point is communication with both the staff and the customers.
Communication is undoubtedly the element that makes the difference in the impression it gives to customers about the company’s seriousness as well as in the staff’s adaptation to each- other, things that make the environment and the work process easier.”
What would be your advice to someone who works in sales and is in direct contact with the customer?
– “If I were to give a piece of advice regarding clients, it would be that you should carefully listen to the client, avoiding judgment.
This is where the art of management lies, as active listening (with attention) enables meeting and even exceeding customer expectations, thus closing the sales process in the best way for both the customer and the company.
This increases customer loyalty, which is the main objective of the business in the long-term.”
What is one of the things you value most about Teoren and why?
– ” The cooperation between colleagues and the positive atmosphere that I have found in Teoren, are the things that I appreciate the most because they have made my work experience very pleasant and have allowed me to give my best.
The energy of the team and the desire to see development in all aspects of the company, have also played an important role, as they have pushed me to think creatively and made me feel supported in case of difficulties or dilemmas.”
What would be the “title” you would give to your work/experience in Teoren?
– ” The most appropriate title I can think of is “Work and school, simultaneously” because as I expressed during the interview, working at Eglo means receiving an infinite amount of information and experience, which has given me helped improve all facets of my life.”