Page 10 - BOSS Today Issue 30

LOUISA MORRISON:

EMERGING PROFESSIONAL

OF THE YEAR

ouisa Morrison, Business Award, but is pleased that it started at Banner: “Esther really “Because I
LDevelopment Manager had gone to someone in a helped me to develop my role
for Banner and winner of the sales role: “I put forward in my as a Business Development really believe
BOSS Emerging Professional presentation to the judges Manager and as a prospective
Of The Year, started her career that I really wanted it to go to manager. How she conducts in the
as an Account Manager in someone in sales, no matter herself, both professionally and
the records management who or in what company. personally, ticks all the boxes in company
industry, before moving to More than anyone, it’s the terms of how I want to position
the construction sector as sales people who have had myself: she’s very loyal and I work for and
a Business Development to embrace the changes in very ethical in her approach in the
Manager, and then – five and the industry: we have to learn to her work, both to her staff
a half years ago – to Banner in to diversify, develop into and customers, and everyone products and
Northern Ireland. Says Morrison: new markets and change knows that. She’s a great
“The OP industry is constantly our approach and strategies person to try and emulate.” services that
busy and continually evolving, with customers, yet still aim Indeed, Morrison hopes
so it isn’t all about pens and to achieve our targets. So I that the Award will help we sell, how
copier paper: it’s about getting was really chuffed that a sales her to progress up the
to know your customers, person got it, and thankfully it Banner ladder into a more can I not be
working in partnership with was me!” senior management role,
them and diversifying what you Morrison attributes her but explains “I go off on passionate?”
can offer to them.” successful application for this maternity leave in four weeks’
Morrison was already very Award to one simple factor: “I time, so I am putting career
familiar with the OP market come across to my customers, advancement on the back
because her father, Jim colleagues and managers as burner until next year, when
Morrison, had worked in our very passionate, because I really I’ll be back with the same
industry for 25 years as Sales enjoy my role and I am lucky hunger and enthusiasm!
Manager for a Northern Irish to work with great colleagues
dealer, and subsequently as and customers, as well. When I
Sales Manager of a contract present to customers, I feel that
stationer: “I grew up hearing they feed off my enthusiasm.
his success stories, and his It’s not a sales pitch: because I
reputation in the market still really believe in the company
stands, even though he’s been I work for and in the products
out of the industry for 15 years. and services that we sell, how
Because Northern Ireland is can I not be passionate?”
a localised market, I’m often Apart from her father, to
working with people that Dad whom she will still go for tips
worked with!” and advice, Morrison is keen
Morrison admits to being to emulate the role model
“completely shocked” to hear established by Esther Murdock,
that she had won the BOSS her manager when she first

10 BOSS TODAY | November/December 2015

BOSS issue 30 AWARDSv2.indd 4 13/11/2015 11:16