I have been in sales most of my whole career, starting by selling products for the marketing campaign broker Smart Circle in wholesale and retail stores like Costco and Walmart, and later, selling door-to-door for Verizon. After a school friend asked if I would come sell for Oracle, I researched the company and decided to apply. Four years later, I am a Business Development Manager at Oracle.
Businesses cannot live without sales. The sales pipeline is the actual blood of a business, and my role is to help ensure that pipeline is healthy. That requires a certain level of trust, as my team is the public face of the company when they meet with customers to help them with their accounts or position a new product.
At my alma mater, Hampton University, I felt pushed to be an accountant and become certified as a CPA. However, I knew that was not the route for me. I wanted a role where I would have more control over my schedule and pay. Ultimately, my journey led me down the path of sales. Sales is a results-driven profession where if you work hard, you can see that hard work reflected in your commission.
It took some time and effort to find my place at Oracle. I had to learn Oracle’s sales methodology and all the internal tools the workforce uses to be successful in sales. I had to find both mentors and advocates—and figure out how to learn from both. I cannot say that just one person played a role in my success. Everyone I’ve met during my journey has helped, whether they know it or not. It is this support, plus my competitive mindset, that has gotten me to where I am today.
But I had to learn how to speak up for myself and highlight my own accomplishments—to be vocal about my own efforts and highlight why I am an asset to the company. It is important to make your accomplishments known, whether your contributions are big or small.
“Having an inclusive culture means we can all come together as one to achieve a common goal.” |
—Sean Banks, Business Development Manager, Oracle |
But it’s the accumulation of personal successes that make an effective team. I have seen Oracle support diversity and inclusion with the various employee resource groups (ERGs) that we have to offer for minorities, veterans, and those who identify with the LGBTQ+ community. Having these ERGs and fostering a community where people can feel safe is what’s making diversity and inclusion at Oracle so strong.
Having a strong diversity and inclusion culture at Oracle means I can walk into a room and not only see other people who look like me, but who also come from different backgrounds, experiences, and strengths. Having an inclusive culture means bringing all these people together as one to achieve a common goal.
Sean Banks is a business development manager at Oracle.
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