How are you?
Silvia Porst, Germany
That’s Silvia Porst’s first question at the mo-ment when she talks to her business partners over the phone. As the Telesales Team Leader, she provides information about various subjects together with her three colleagues, and has in-depth interaction with customers all over Germany every day. During her conversations, she has found that customers are largely thank-ful for her calls and are optimistic about the future. Now in particular, they are open-minded when it comes to new business areas.
Silvia, how are you able to juggle work and organizing everyday family life?
My partner and I work from home, and we're trying to maintain consistent routines for our children. Getting up, having breakfast, doing homework. ”School” starts at 8 am. Luckily, the children can do a lot by themselves. Our older daughter is 16 and wants to become an elementary school teacher. So she enjoys helping her little sister – who’s in first grade. Our son is 15 and a competitive athlete at the Olympic training center. He currently gets his workouts and homework via an internet portal. They all have their own tasks, so I can concentrate on my work.
How have you and your team adjusted to the situation?
We split up: two colleagues work in Zeulen-roda. Another colleague and I work from home. We’re available to our customers on the hotline from 8 am to 5 pm. We’re addressing various target groups and sub-jects, so everything is going really well at the moment – despite the coronavirus.
Does that mean that your customers are more open to your consultations during the crisis?
Yes, I get that impression. Since February, the focus of our information has been on the new Fashion Colors, GenuTrain OA and Bodytronic ID:CAM. We’re now concentra - ting on occupational health management. I believe that our conversations are going so well because, now in particular, it’s a great sign for our customers that we’re actively in touch. The exchange is more intense and much more personal.
Despite the tense situation and the econo-mic challenges?
Absolutely. Fewer people may be visiting the stores, and some retailers have reduced their opening hours, but these difficulties are not central to them. They want to be there for their customers and help them, and make a difference together in the industry. And they are now particularly grateful that we, as a company, are there for them as usual in this situation, supporting them in their efforts. This gives our medical retailers confidence and builds trust. Especially in times like these.
About Silvia Porst
In 1989, Silvia Porst started her business training at the largest underwear company of the GDR, VEB Elastic-Mieder, which Bauerfeind acquired in 1991, and has been with the company ever since. Between 2002 and 2005, she completed a part-time advanced voca-tional degree as an industrial business specialist. She has been heading up the Telesales Team since 2006, which she established and has cons-tantly developed since. In her leisure time, she enjoys the quiet life in the countryside together with her partner and their three children.