When Jon Clayborne first met Megan Williams, he was impressed by her ability to manage her staff, her communication skills and her overall attitude.
“She just had such positive energy,” he said.
Clayborne, Commercial Sales Manager at SDN Communications, met Williams at the Country Club of Sioux Falls where she worked as a banquet manager. Clayborne was there presenting to SDN’s internal team about a new position he wanted to add — Sales Development Representative.
He noticed Williams right away as she helped set up the room’s IT and managed her staff. He liked the way she handled herself and her team. Before he left that day, he approached Williams and asked if she had any interest in sales. The two set up a time to have coffee and talk. That meeting led to a job interview and eventually a job offer.
Williams started as SDN’s first Sales Development Representative on Nov. 4.
Clayborne says his first impression of Williams has proven to be right on. He says she is a perfect fit for the new position.
“A Sales Development Representative is someone who is eager and driven to find and connect with new business opportunities,” Clayborne said. “Someone who can open those doors and create warm leads for our company.”
For Williams, this latest adventure is one she didn’t expect but couldn’t be more excited about.
“The fact that Jon picked me out and showed me something new in life that I was not expecting at all was eye-opening and exciting. It all fell into place, and it’s been so great so far,” she said. “It’s such a great opportunity.”
Williams' road to SDN Communications
Williams grew up in Albertville, Minnesota, a northwest suburb of Minneapolis. From an early age, she liked to work and leaned toward the gregarious. One of her first jobs was at Culver's during her high school years. She immediately embraced the sense of accomplishment and enjoyed using her outgoing personality to provide the best customer service.
“That job instilled in me a good work ethic from the rigorous shifts that comes with fast food,” she said. “I go the extra mile and always try to stay positive because lifting people up and making them smile is so important to me.”
Williams’ father, Don, worked in sales and the two share the extrovert personality, she said.
“We’re very similar when it comes to our attitude and work ethic, not to mention how much we love serving people. I’m a carbon copy of my mom (Kim) on the outside but a copy of my dad on the inside,” she says. She never ruled out a career in sales because she saw how her father did such a good job with his work. But when she graduated from high school, Williams decided on something much different — nursing.
She chose Southeast Technical School in Sioux Falls because she was excited about the growth happening in Sioux Falls. She jumped into the program with her usual enthusiasm.
“I love taking care of people. That drew me to nursing,” she said. Over time, however, she began to feel like nursing wasn’t right for her.
“I felt like it wasn't lining up for me at the moment. I didn’t feel that was my calling.”
She left the program and landed a position at the Sioux Falls Country Club as a server. Very quickly, she climbed the ladder to banquet manager.
“I loved that job,” she says. ”It was such a fun job. I got to meet so many people, build my network and it grew my leadership experience, ultimately building my confidence in myself in what I can do.”
She had no intention of leaving the position. She was content with the work and her life. But when Clayborne approached her about sales, she was curious. And that curiosity led to their coffee meeting and a new career in telecommunications.
“It’s so different and new,” she said of her role at SDN. “And I love experiencing new things. I can’t wait to see how I will grow in the position and what this position will do for SDN.”
A 'natural' fit for Sales Development Representative
Clayborne says he’s wanted to add the Sales Development Representative position for some time. It’s an entry level sales position that will shorten training time and help prepare sales representatives for the sometimes complicated world of telecommunications.
“Some of the best sales talent have been from outside telecom," he said. "This position allows someone to come in at an entry level and be trained for a quick path to account executive.”
He’s excited to have Williams take the first Sales Development Representative position, and he sees her as a perfect fit for the job.
“She’s a very ambitious person. She’s driven, she’s motivated and she has that natural sales ability,” he said. “She has what you need to be a successful sales person. I think this position will really set her up for her future.”
Williams says her personality comes naturally to her. She tends to see the glass as half full rather than half empty. And she enjoys life in general.
“I love to work," she said. "I love building relationships with people.”
When she's not working, Williams loves to spend time outside with her friends and family as well as listening to music, golfing, reading and working on puzzles. She also volunteers at her church. Williams has an older sister, Anna, a younger brother, David, and is dating Philip Enderson, who is a superintendent Brookings Country Club.
While she is new to her role, Williams has already set her sights on the future.
“My goal is to be an account executive,” she says. “I like to have a future-forward view on life.”
For now, however, she's learning the ropes and helping the sales team at SDN continue to grow its customer base. She credits her father with giving her the skills and attitude to take on her new job. “Before I went into my interview for this job, he encouraged me and assured me that it was a good fit for me. I think he was right.”
And as always, she’s forward thinking.
“I want a future with this job. I love what I’m doing and I love the company,” she says. “Who knows what might happen?”
