Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / Feb. 21, 1985, edition 1 / Page 35
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By Audrey C. Lodato Past Staff Writer Lawrence Brooks is an account manager for Coca Cola. One of about a dozen handling accounts in the Piedmont area, Brooks has been with the company’s soft drink division since last May. Prior to that, he worked for Coke’s food "31 vision, catering events and servicing vending ma chines. “I was head cater er," he remarks. His present role for the multi-national corporation involves the sale and pro motion of Coca-Cola. A typical work day begins for Brooks at 6:15 in the morn ing, when he has to be in the office. He admits that, sometimes, he’s “not too awake" at that hour. After a 6:30 meeting he’s out on the road by 7:30, calling on convenience stores and various other markets for Coke products. Brooks handles about 113 accounts and averages 20-25 calls a day. Some days last 12 hours or longer. "It’s a challenge," be comments, “Each day is different.” Does Brooks mind hring on the road ah day long? Not at all. “I like the opportunity to get out and meet with people, help them meet their needs," he relates. There’S a chal lenge, top. which he enjoys. “When you run into a pro blem.” he notes, “tt’s yours to solve. There’s flexibility to use your own judgment. If you do your job, you don’t worry about reper cussions.” He to able to help customers increase sales, not only of Coke products, but of other items as wefl, by showing them howto use displays to their advantage. Coke and other soft drinks can be a draw ing card to bring buyers into a store. Does it take special skills and abilities to succeed as an account manager? Brooks believes an out going personality and the ability to communicate well verbally are both im portant. In addition, “lots of confidence in yourself and your product, and the desire to succeed” are also vital, he notes. Brooks has over 10 years sales experience. For him, it has “always been easy to talk with people” And, he believes, “caring about people has a lot to do with being successful on this job.” Another component to success, however, is the image of the product you represent With Coke, that never presents much of a problem. “When you’re wording for Number One,” comments Brooks, “it dots give you a real sense of doing something, achieving something.” Brooks believes that, at Coca-Cola, there is ample opportunity for advance ment. “Whatever a person puts out, that determines how far that person can go. The opportunity is there,” he advises. He also enjoys “good benefits" and the feeling of working for a “reputable company.” To someone looking for a good job with career potential, Brooks says, “I’d recom . mend it." The Piedmont area which the account mana gers in Brooks’ group serve extends from the Kings Mountain area on the west to Marshall on the east, and -from China Grove down to Fort Mill, S.C. ' Brooks’ route covers the Davidson and-north Charlotte area. I On days like this, don’t budge... tknmHtm Cldf amd •' MEAD THE POST 1 * afejKPIHMHia^^Wfvfe 4 ■ . ■■■■■i „ a IKOMfry Klfdbt* inMf 2 loaves 1.1 Mm rr-iTB - -1 Lawrence Brooks •••Accounts manager I SUPPORT YOUR ADVERTISERS f £“2EI! Don't lose touch with your friends who are ill. Don't let them lose touch with the community. ' Give them a subscription to The Charlotte Post. Call 376-0496 khwuhto Mo. 1
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Feb. 21, 1985, edition 1
35
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