Wolfgang

Wolfgang, you work in the Technical Sales and Customer Support team. What are your tasks and what skills do you need for this job?

That's right - together with Alfredo, Timo, Michael, Jannis and our team leader Frank Schlögel, I make up the Technical Sales and Customer Support team. The daily tasks are very varied. These include customer support by e-mail and telephone, technical advice and sales in the specialist shop as well as returns processing. There are also "smaller" tasks such as updating and correcting the technical data of our products in the paulimot online shop or quality checks as part of the incoming goods inspection. Although my colleagues and I each have our own area of specialisation, each team member has been trained in all processes so that we can cover for each other if we are ill or on holiday.
As you can see, my field of activity at paulimot is very varied. To ensure that the daily work runs smoothly, you should have a certain basic knowledge of technology and feel comfortable in contact with customers. Reliability and precision are also two other important qualities.

That sounds very interesting! What job did you do before you joined paulimot in order to be technically fit? And how did you come to paulimot?

I completed my apprenticeship as a machine fitter. I then spent some time in the German Armed Forces. Until I changed jobs to paulimot, I worked in aviation. However, I really enjoy "tinkering" in my own workshop and repairing all kinds of things. Due to the coronavirus, I was looking for a job in late summer 2021. When I saw the job advert at paulimot, I applied straight away because of my previous knowledge in this field and my hobby-like fascination for wood and metalworking. I was delighted that my move to paulimot worked out.

It's exciting that you were able to gain professional experience in such different fields! What were the biggest changes for you personally when you moved to paulimot?

In my previous job in aviation, I was tied to very irregular working hours. The regular working hours that I now have as a technical salesperson at paulimot are obviously one of the biggest changes in my working life. This has allowed me to plan my private life to a certain extent again.

Which tasks do you enjoy the most?

In general, I really enjoy all my tasks. I love variety, so I like to get as many different tasks done as possible during my typical working day. Personally, I want to keep learning and developing. As a result, I like to familiarise myself with completely new processes and try to find a solution to a new problem. That's what I really like about my job.

As a technical salesperson, you have a lot to do with colleagues from other teams. How do you feel about working together in the paulimot team?

That's right! I have the most contact with colleagues in the Technology & Logistics, Order Processing & Customer Support and E-Commerce & Marketing teams. As a technical salesperson, you actually have to deal with the entire team.
The cross-team collaboration works very well. I have never experienced a colleague not wanting to co-operate or help. Even in my early days, I realised that community and team spirit are very important at the paulimot family. Compared to my previous jobs, I like the freedom at work at paulimot.
This means that I can carry out my day-to-day tasks very freely and independently. I also like the flat hierarchies.

You also have regular contact with all paulimot products and machines. Have you already discovered your personal favourite machine during your time at paulimot?

From a hobbyist's point of view, the SIEG SC4 lathe is my favourite machine. Due to its size, the SC4 is still considered a bench-top machine, which means you can get it into the basement workshop without any major problems. It is also easy to transport in terms of weight. Nevertheless, it is a "grown-up" machine that can do the same things as a really big machine. Thanks to its all-round capabilities, it quickly "turned" its way into my heart.

At the very beginning, you said that customer contact is an important part of your daily work. What do you particularly like about it?

I generally like the customer contact. On the one hand, I find it exciting to see the different people we address and, on the other, it's nice that other people recognise my expertise and accept our advice. Most of our customers are already very experienced in the areas of wood and metalworking. Nevertheless, it is only in exceptional cases that our advice is not accepted. The fact that people with so much experience have or develop trust in my expertise within a short conversation, for example on the phone, makes me happy every time.
This trust confirms me in what I do. It's a good feeling when we've been able to help a customer.

Thank you, Wolfgang, for the interesting interview and the insights into your working day at paulimot.