In this month’s Employee Spotlight, we talk to Senior Business Manager, Mark Shoukry about his role at Redox.
You recently celebrated your 20 year Redox anniversary; congratulations! Can you tell me how that feels?
Redox is a family business, I married into the Coneliano family, so I suppose it was inevitable that I would end up here. Still, it’s been great working with my in-laws like our founder, Roland Coneliano and Managing Director Robert Coneliano.
Raimond Coneliano, Sales Manager/Director/brother-in-law, and I sat together from the first day. His knowledge and advice has been invaluable over the years. I owe so much to him for his guidance and direction.
You’ve got a wide range of customers that you manage – what is your favourite industry to work in?
The industry closest to my heart is the Nutraceutical industry, but also Mining & Explosives has been a massive challenge over the last few years and has taught me a lot.
It has been an honour to represent Redox, and I am grateful for the loyalty of our customers and suppliers.
What are some of the trends you see in that industry? New Products?
Joint formula products like Glucosamine or Chondroitin are still solid.
I thought this material’s trend cycle would have dropped off by now, but it continues to grow.
Have you received any great business advice that you can share?
I do, yes. I’ll never forget this. I’d managed to obtain this large order, and I could hardly contain my excitement. I walked up to Roland to tell him about it. His answer was:
“Great job, but have they tested a sample? Did they trial the material in production? Do they have a credit limit in place?”
I answered with a smile and said yes!
He replied, “okay, but they have not paid the bill yet. Once we have the money in our account, then you can get excited.”
The lesson was simple. Stay humble and be patient; dot the i’s and cross all the t’s.
His wisdom in business was terrific, and he taught me a lot in my career.
You have the highest pending order value of Redox reps, but how do you measure your success? What are you most proud of?
My first large order at Redox was for Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid for a refinery. It was also a new product for Redox at the time. That was a moment I will never forget.
My great enjoyment now is when we work on a new product with one of our loyal and friendly customers, and then we get the ongoing business. A happy customer is a success; that makes me proud.
Looking 10 years into the future, what do you think Redox will look like?
Over the next 10 years, I’m sure we will expand geographically into new areas, constantly adding new people and succeeding together.
You’ve successfully managed a team here at Redox – what is the key to getting the best out of people?
Managing people is not for everyone; it takes a lot of patience and time. It has been great to see the results of their hard work. I am grateful to have such a passionate team of talented people.
The key is to keep the lines of communication open, teach them everything I know and find the lesson in every mistake.
We hear that you love boating and fishing – every fisherman has a story about the ‘one that got away’ what’s yours?
Boating and fishing are my greatest hobby; I don’t do enough of it. So hard with a family with 4 kids to find the time to go out regularly.
I have some stories about the one that got away, the best one I can share with tears in my eyes.
I was out at Botany Bay late at night and hooked a big fish; it took all my line and then snapped. I was so disappointed. Since then, I have changed all my lines to thicker ones to ensure they don’t get away next time.
There may be a sales lesson in that.
Do you have a nickname?
I’m not disclosing this information in public since my 3 sisters had a hand in that, but one of my nicknames I can share. ‘Shouksta’.
Favourite band/song/music?
This will show my age. I like UB40 (especially while on the boat) and Rn’B.