SMC Women on spotlight
During the month of March SMC is highlighting the great women we have in the company. Here you can meet Eeva, Helena and Joan.
Eeva Korkolainen, Product manager of actuators and vacuum in Finland
Our first introduction is Eeva, who has worked at SMC Finland for seven years and during that time we have witnessed her journey from inside sales to gradually towards more technical topics. For the past two and a half years she has worked fully on the technical questions. On top of the mentioned actuators and vacuum products Eeva has high skills on helping with actual application questions and she is the go-to person on machinery safety and regulations, such as RoHS and REACH.
Perks of working at SMC
When asked what’s best in working at SMC, Eeva replied: “You learn something new every day.” Eeva says that this is both the best and most challenging part of the work. “Every day you will notice how little you actually know”, she laughs. She tells us that during her first years at SMC the work was more routine tasks but nowadays every day is different.
We start to talk about the other perks at SMC and she rises the social aspect as one important topic. Eeva says that she loves the possibility to work from home but when the office days arrive it is great to see all the colleagues at the bureau. Being able to maintain this good balance between live days and remote is important for her.
“And hey, it’s great to get some money out of your work too! That can’t be passed by”, finishes Eeva with a grin.
Field of expertise
When asked about why she is working in the field she is presently, Eeva opens her mindset: “I like to help people, when they ask for help.” She says that she is unable to put herself “in there” and generate the need, so she would not fit into the sales or education divisions standards. She also adds to the topic that this does not mean that she would not love to educate people. That is one of her favourite sides of the work. “It’s really rewarding when the teachable person is in the right zone and ready to learn. I guess that’s also the reason I feel that I’m sitting on a correct stool now,” concludes Eeva.
Helena Wallner, Technical sales in Sweden
Who are you? - I am Helena Wallner, a music lover from the city where the sun always shines, Karlstad. I work in technical sales together with a whole team of nice colleagues covering the north part of Sweden, from Värmland to Lappland. Being located in Karlstad, I take care of the area from Karlskoga to Västerås, providing automation solutions in close cooperation with the customers and handling everything from initial discussions to quotes, orders and presentations of new products.
How long have you worked at SMC? - I started my work at SMC in the end of May 2020, so it is almost 4 years now. Having the best job one can have; I still hold the same position as when I started and as a matter of fact I have been in the business since 1996.
What do you find most rewarding about working at SMC? - Besides getting to meet all these fantastic customers daily, I must say it’s the colleagues and the products. The cooperation within SMC, I love how we help each other, give tips and work together, both within the team and with other groups. The familiar atmosphere at SMC is something special. Not to mention the products, I mean this quality in combination with the enormous range, it’s unique.
Why are you interested in working specifically in your field? - I love meeting the customers and help them getting the best possible solution, it’s so fulfilling! I´ve been working with technical sales my whole life, the last almost 4 years within SMC. Our portfolio is impressive, and I get to work in so many different areas. I really got a good injection starting to work at SMC!
Joan Nowak Høgh, Country Manager in Denmark
The final article in the series of Women in STEM is about the new Country Manager for SMC Denmark. Explore her long journey from Inside Sales to Sales Engineer to Country Manager. - I’m overall responsible for the business in Denmark, supported by 35 employees who work in various areas such as Internal and External Sales, Technical Support, Logistic and Warehouse.
How long have you worked at SMC? - I have been working for SMC for 18 years and have had various positions during the years. I started in internal sales and had a dream of becoming an external salesperson with my own sales district. When the opportunity presented itself, I started my career within external sales, first as Sales Engineer then Key Account Manager and then after Sales Manager, with overall responsibility for sales in Denmark. In SMC there are great possibilities if you want to make a career, you just have to be dedicated and go for the opportunities. After more than 10 years working with Sales Management, I’m now Country Manager with a broad knowledge of the various aspects of SMC, know the DNA and what’s expected at all levels in the company.
What do you find most rewarding about working at SMC? - The passion you feel in colleagues regardless of working area, position or country, we are all part of the same family and want to contribute with knowledge, dedication and respect to the company and our colleagues in SMC.
Why are you interested in working specifically in your field? - After a few years in the company, I was curious about external sales and want to work closely together with existing and new customers. Working in sales haven’t disappointed and even after 15 years in Sales, I still love it!
22-03-2024
