At Lucanet, we know that each journey adds to our shared success. Join us as we sit down with Tobi, Sales Engineering lead, who helps both our customers and Lucanet reach new heights, truly living our core values.
Tobi, to kick things off, we’d love to get to know you a bit better. What are the three things you couldn't do without?
"That's an easy one – mountains, road biking, and sales engineering are my essentials."
That's a well-practiced answer! So, tell us, when did you join Lucanet, and what do you do here? Which team are you part of?
"I joined Lucanet in July 2017 as a consultant, working closely with customers to implement our solution before moving into sales. Since the beginning of 2024, I've had the fantastic opportunity to build and lead a sales team responsible for showcasing our offerings to prospects, customers, and partners. We’re Team Sales Engineering."
That sounds exciting! How would you describe your role to someone who isn't at all familiar with it?
"Imagine two kids sitting in front of a big box of Legos. One of them is experienced and has built everything from cars to airplanes. The other one is new to Lego and might be overwhelmed by the giant box filled with hundreds, if not thousands, of pieces. Both of them aim to design and build a brand new, really cool spaceship. The inexperienced kid struggles to figure out which pieces work best. Fortunately, the experienced kid can support, explaining and giving hints on what pieces are needed to build that amazing Lego spaceship. The experienced kid is a Lucanet Sales Engineer while the other kid represents our customers. We guide our customers in building their 'spaceship' with our products."
I love that vivid explanation! Can you tell us a bit more about your professional journey and what excites you most about your current role?
"With a background in finance and accounting, I started my career at a big consulting firm before joining Lucanet. Initially, I worked as a consultant but moved into sales in 2020. What excites me about sales is the ability to spark excitement and create WOW moments when pitching our product. Unlike previous roles focused on enablement, sales is about creating a vision and achieving consensus that Lucanet can improve the buyer's situation. Creating a vision for how we can empower the office of the CFO to lead with ease is what excites me."
You recently held a workshop at the All-Hands meeting. Can you share the key takeaways and the impact on the organization?
"The workshop was called “No disco, no demo – The Art and Fun of Selling Lucanet”. And the key takeaway was that we need to talk more about what all our different teams do. It was really exciting to see the interest from other teams, even those not involved in sales, wanting to learn more about how we operate and do business."
And how do you stay motivated, even when facing challenges at work?
"Keeping a positive mindset and focusing on solutions rather than problems helps me stay motivated. Trusting and relying on your team also makes a big difference. Challenges are inevitable, it's a matter of how we approach them. For me, a positive mindset and team support are crucial for overcoming them."
What initially attracted you to join Lucanet? And how has Lucanet supported your professional growth and development since then?
"I wanted more empowerment and responsibility, which Lucanet provided. My previous job was highly guided, and I sought more ownership. Being a consultant at Lucanet allowed me to manage my projects on my own, which was exactly what I wanted. Over my seven years here, every year has been unique, and Lucanet has consistently supported my growth. If you're passionate, hardworking, and dedicated, Lucanet is a great place to build your career. I'm lucky to have the chance to build a new team from the ground up, which has been an incredible experience and another step in my growth here at Lucanet."
What is your favorite part about working at Lucanet, and what would you love to still see in your next seven years?
"I enjoy working in a multicultural, open-minded environment where my work is appreciated and there are plenty of career opportunities. Flexibility, like remote work and flex time, is also a big plus."
And which of our core values resonates the most with you?
"We challenge! I always tell our new joiners to challenge the status quo and not take anything for granted. I love seeing fresh ideas and approaches which help us evolve and move forward."
Speaking of new starters, do you have any tips for talents who would like to join Lucanet?
"I always say that working at Lucanet isn’t like driving on a boring paved highway; it's more like navigating a bumpy road. The cool part is that we get to build the road we’ll ride on in the future, which means everyone who joins Lucanet can help shape that future."
Thank you for taking the time to chat with us, Tobi! If you’re up for a good challenge, join us and help shape the road ahead.