Not everyone can rise from a sales assistant to VP of Sales in five years–but not everyone is Quan H. Pham. His success exemplifies persistence, adaptability, and putting people before profits. These traits have made Pham a bright light on the world stage.
Born in Vietnam, Quan Pham has always craved unique experiences and challenges. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Marketing from Macquarie University in New South Wales, Australia, he continued his education at the University of Sydney. There, he pursued his Master’s degree in Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management.
Throughout his schooling, Pham worked in retail sales–and during this time, he picked up the soft skills that have been the bedrock of his career. It’s this openness to learn about others and explore a variety of solutions that have made him a natural for international business. Building rapport and being an attentive listener, he connected with his customers in the busy shopping district, leading to increased sales and his peers learning from his expertise. And this was only the start.
When COVID-19 led Pham to return to Vietnam, he took a sales assistant position at Goldsun, a leading company in manufacturing and exporting in Asia. As a manager of international OEM/ODM projects, he strengthened his ability to bridge the gap between cultures by partnering with his clients, being in continuous contact, and always searching for solutions to whatever challenges arose. This kind of mindset allowed Pham to identify opportunities for projects that allowed Goldsun to enhance its reputation, and within less than a year, he was heading up the Sales team.
How does Pham lead his team? By example, naturally. He gives them great freedom and responsibility, shows them how to relate to their client’s challenges and difficulties, and encourages out-of-the-box creative thinking to propose solutions. He also stresses patience and desire to improve as leading factors in the success of his sales managers, along with peer review and constructive feedback.
To date, Pham feels his most significant accomplishment in his role has been closing the gap between his internal team and the clientele they serve. With the obstacles of language, culture, and processes to navigate, having the right market insights and building trust within long-term relationships is essential. Thanks to his multicultural upbringing and openness to new ideas, Quan has continued to be a bridge of understanding and improvement.
Staying competitive in the market is a must, and Pham communicates closely with his clients to keep on the leading edge of B2B sales. This includes being knowledgeable of the geopolitical climate and how it affects sales and trade, especially given the complexity of the supply chain in recent years. He also considers sustainability and green initiatives, always looking for new and improved solutions.
The bottom line for Quan H. Pham is that building authentic connections is the key to business success. For his clients and his sales team, trust is the key.
About the Author
Julie Harbors writes about global business for various publications. She has extensive experience in retail and e-commerce.