Coffee Cup Corner: A quick Q&A with Simon Wheeler, our Business Development Support team member
Join us for another edition of our Coffee Cup Corner here at Xenia - uncovering the people behind the policies. This month we take a moment to catch up with our Business Development Support colleague Simon Wheeler, read on to find out more.
Full name:
Simon Wheeler
Job title:
Business Development Support
How long have you worked at Xenia?
I have worked at Xenia for 7 years.
What this role means/area is:
As a ‘New Business Hunter’ I can work from my home in Slovakia, finding new business opportunities for Xenia’s sales team based in the UK.
What do you like about working for Xenia?
I enjoy the people, openness for the company, and the service we provide.
A piece of advice you'd give your younger self?
Life comes in highs and lows, neither are permanent, and you can and will handle everything.
What's your most commonly asked question in your job role and how would you answer it?
You cold call ? …. Simply yes and no, but, it’s a professional call, finding people that need what we do. Never ever take things personally, keep positive and always remember, the next call will bring a result.
How did you get into the insurance sector?
By mistake… I walked into Coface 20 years ago, simply looking for a job… discovered this thing called Credit Insurance, thought the product as a very good one, and moved through the ranks of Coface. It has given me work in the USA, and now for Xenia.
What do you do at Xenia and what does your typical day look like?
I call and call and develop new opportunities for our Sales Team. I start the day with an average of 100 calls waiting, and I work through them call by call.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I still get the thrill of success. To book a meeting for the team, and seeing how that develops. Sometimes it can be a 1st
time call, sometimes it has taken me 50 calls to get there. Perseverance is my skill!
How has the job changed since you started your career?
With email and voice mails becoming the chosen method of communication, and then Covid forcing people home, to actually get to speak to interesting, approachable people has become harder and harder. But, I believe we all need the personal touch still.
Where do you see Xenia going over the next few years?
I think Xenia will grow, innovate, support and become the go to name for Broking.
Tell us something most people don't know about you/what's your hidden talent?
In my younger years I spent a winter playing Cricket in Adelaide, I have been lucky to play with Imran Khan, Alec Stewart and many other world class players. As for a hidden talent.. I am quite handing at working with wood and DIY.
What job would you be doing if you weren't doing this one?
I would love to have been a sport coach, until I moved to the USA and then Slovakia I would have taken my coaching badges in cricket instead.
What would you say to a young person who wants to get into insurance?
Don’t let the impression of the insurance industry deter you. There’s some amazing people, life long friends and a really strong, proud industry.
Who's your greatest hero or heroine and why?
My greatest hero is, the cricket legend, Sir Ian Botham… never ever gave in.
What do you do to relax?
To relax I like to take long walks with my rescued dog, and travel is still very high on my list despite all the challenges over the past few years. Being a single Dad to Matej, 11 and May, 5… it might not really be relaxing, but, they are the reason I do everything I do.
To find out more about the people behind Xenia head over to last month’s Coffee Club Corner episode with our colleague Terry Kingston.