AV Insider Spotlight : Michael Peveler, VP of Global Sales, WePresent
Each week, I am highlighting on some of the incredible people who are in the Audio Video Industry. As this blog is mostly about AV insiders, today we are profiling Michael Peveler .
Here is a brief intro about him.
Michael Peveler has worked in the Audiovisual industry for over 16 years. He is currently serving as VP of Global Sales of WePresent.
Please drop your questions in the comments below and i will make sure that he sees them.
1.Describe your journey in the AV industry? How did it start?
Michael Peveler – I started at AMX in September 1999. I started in an internal training position and then begin an internal 17-year journey where I worked and ran multiple teams including Education Sales. During my time I was fortunate to work with many other manufacturers, be involved in M&A activities, travel throughout the US and the world and work with resellers, end users and consultants. I feel that these experiences gave me a unique perspective and understanding of our industry. Prior to my time at AMX I was a teacher for 8 years. Today I am the Vice President of Global Sales for wePresent.
2.What do you think is the challenges that are facing a new person who wants to join the industry.
Michael Peveler – From a technology perspective, the lack of industry standards has always been a challenge. I believe that the move to more IT technologies will help to level that challenge out some. Beyond the technology aspects, I believe that understanding the structure of the sales process and all of the players that could be in the process is still a challenge (Consultants, Distributors, Independent Sales Reps, Resellers,etc..) Over the years getting someone comfortable with these two concepts has been the biggest hurdle to success.
3.What are the positives of working in this industry
Michael Peveler – Without a doubt for me the most positive experiences are related to the people in the industry. There are so many high integrity people who are caring and fun and all of them want to see the industry and most importantly the people in it become successful. I also believe the role our technologies play in all environments continues to grow and has become ever more relevant – that is exciting! To see the outcome of so many people’s efforts when you walk into a classroom, a meeting room, a stadium, you name it, is a big positive for our industry.
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4.What in your opinion would you change in the industry? What are the negatives that are prevalent ?
Michael Peveler – For me the lack of technology standards has always been an issue but that is changing quickly around us all. My only big negatives relate to those who spend so much time trying to tear down other companies, the competition or the industry. There is no doubt there is always an effort to sell against the competition, and there is always work to do to improve our industry but there are some who seem to thrive on trying to take down AV from the inside and I don’t understand their efforts. I always wonder how bit the space could be if we spent less time being afraid of others like I.T., and less time trying to tear each other down in order to get the sell. I’m sure that is the same in every industry.
5.Describe your ideal client? What do you wish clients to know before hiring you?
Michael Peveler – My ideal client is knowledgeable about their environment (technology, needs, etc.) but is still open minded to consider the options. They also have the desire and ability to create a vision for what the end result will look like. I wish more clients had some ideas of what they want to have when they are done that includes a more future proof model for the technology they select.
6.If you were going to start over, what would you do differently?
Michael Peveler – I would have gotten more involved in Industry Networking earlier. I missed out on some really good years with people who are now friends and I’m sure I missed out on some great opportunities as well.
7.Describe a typical work day for you. What are your daily disciplines?
Michael Peveler – 1. Checking in with my team – making sure things are going like they are supposed to and helping clear up questions and concerns. My first job is to make sure I help remove as many obstacles for my team as possible so they can do what they are hired to do. I also schedule my important task into my calendar to try to improve the odds that they get done and don’t get derailed by the urgent task that are not productive to the bigger task we are working on. My goal is to make sure I balance the tactical needs of each day with the long term strategic vision we have set in place.
8.Describe the apps and gear that you use daily which makes you more productive?
Michael Peveler – nothing fancy for me – my iPhone, my laptop (with Office), HubSpot for CRM, Expensify for expenses – pretty straight forward. I’m a sales person so I spend a lot of time on the phone.
9. Looking back to your career, you had been with a single company for over 15 years and then you shifted to another. What lessons did you learn during that period and what did you have to unlearn in your new role.
Michael Peveler – the change from being at a huge company like AMX / Harman and going to a smaller company, wePresent has been both exciting and challenging. Obviously there are more resources available in the larger company but I’ve been really impressed with how everyone at wePresent makes every effort to work together with no attitude and the end result has been very productive. We take advantage of being a little smaller and having the ability to react quickly with great focus! As far as what lessons I learned – in 17 years I learned a lot and I owe so much to the leadership at AMX over the years. I’ve been fortunate to have great mentors who have helped me grow my strengths while managing my weaknesses and I think I’ve been able to bring a lot of those lessons to my new role so that we too can have the same kind of wild growth and successes. I guess the biggest thing I’ve had to keep in mind in my new role is an old saying from Rashid Skaf, former CEO and President at AMX, “Don’t boil the ocean”. With such a great team and a great product, it has been hard to try not to do it all, tomorrow!
For more information about Michael Peveler , please find a few links.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/peveler
http://www.wepresentwifi.com/
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