Sales Leader of the Month with Mindit – Susanna Berg at DeLaval

To inspire sustainable sales

Leading a team to new heights in sales is no easy task – it requires both vision and a drive to develop, inspire and bring people together. When Susanna Berg, Sales Manager at DeLaval, was nominated as Mindit’s Sales Leader of the Month, there was no doubt why.

To empower the individual through education and self-awareness

Mindit has also introduced the “Insights Discovery” tool , which has given Susanna’s team a deeper understanding of their own and their colleagues’ strengths . “It’s been incredibly valuable to see how we can complement each other within the team,” Susanna explains. Instead of everyone working in exactly the same way, the team has realized the power of leveraging each other’s unique abilities.

“It gives us greater breadth and the opportunity to meet different customers in the right way.”

A background with global strength

With her passion for sales development and a natural ability to motivate her team, Susanna has not only left her mark on DeLaval, but also on the industry. Together with her team, she has developed a structured way of working that promotes sustainability and innovation – something that has become an important part of their success journey.

A background with global strength

DeLaval is a global company and a leading player in the dairy industry, owned by Tetra Pak. With its strong foundation in technology and innovation, DeLaval strives to make food production sustainable and efficient. With over a hundred years of experience and a presence in more than a hundred countries, the company has developed solutions that support farmers worldwide. DeLaval not only has a wide range of high-quality products, but also a clear vision of sustainability and long-term thinking, something that characterizes the entire organization and its sales strategy.

The journey to sales leadership

Susanna Berg has worked at DeLaval for over ten years, but it was only in her role as Sales Manager for Retail Stores that her interest in sales development was truly piqued . “When I got my current position, I felt it was time to delve deeper and really develop our way of working within retail sales,” says Susanna. With a new position came the opportunity to create something new – an opportunity that Susanna seized by building a team focused on collaboration, growth and sustainability.

A structured way of working together

Over the past year, Susanna has worked with Mindit’s Client Partner and trainer, Camilla Mattsson, to develop a “Way of Selling” for DeLaval. This approach has helped the team gain a common structure and a clear direction for their work. “Having a solid foundation and best practices to lean on has made our work more concrete and motivating,” says Susanna. By implementing tools and methods to better understand the products’ features, benefits and meaning, the team has gained a stronger grasp of both product knowledge and customer needs.

Long-term goals with a focus on sustainability

DeLaval has set high goals for sustainable and efficient food production. By offering high-quality products that last over time, DeLaval wants to not only offer a good range but also contribute to sustainable consumption. In the short term, Susanna and her team are working to develop partnerships with retailers who share their values and quality standards.

Challenges and the strength of a committed team

For Susanna and her team, the retail recession has been one of the biggest challenges, especially as DeLaval offers premium products that sometimes face competition from lower-priced alternatives. However, Susanna emphasizes the importance of focusing on quality and ensuring that their products, over time, prove their value.

“ We have a strong position in the industry, and with high commitment and clear direction, I am confident that we will achieve our goals,” she says.

Having a small, close-knit team has made it easier to maintain an open dialogue and work together towards success.

Susanna's tips for other leaders in the industry

Susanna concludes by sharing some advice for other sales managers :

“Create an inclusive environment where everyone feels involved and seen. This increases both motivation and job satisfaction. And don't be afraid to use and benefit from the team's differences. The fact that we all work a little differently gives us a broader range of skills and creates a stronger whole.”

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