Meet Wrikers: Muhammet Koese, Manager, Account Development EMEA and APAC
Muhammet Koese was born in Germany and lived in Dublin for nine years before he moved to Barcelona. Muhammet started working at Wrike in January 2017. Check out his personal journey of going from Account Executive for the DACH and Nordics region to the Manager of Account Development team in EMEA, and why he decided to join Wrike! 👇
How did you become an Account Development Manager?
Before ascending to my current managerial role at Wrike, I held various sales positions as an individual contributor. My journey began as an Account Executive for the DACH and Nordics region, where I played a critical role in driving our business growth across these territories. After enjoying three fruitful years in that role, I transitioned to our Account Management team. Here, I primarily served our clients in German-speaking countries, further honing my client relationship and negotiation skills.
My road to leadership took a thrilling turn when I was given the opportunity to manage our Sales Development Representative (SDR) team in EMEA. This experience was invaluable in bolstering my management acumen and prepared me well for my next career leap. Leading a revenue-generating team was always my ambition so, when the chance presented itself, I welcomed it with open arms. This journey has been both challenging and rewarding, and I look forward to continued growth and success.
Why did you join Wrike?
Management and leadership. Among the various modules that I studied, project management resonated with me profoundly. Inspired by this, I set a goal to transition into the project management industry.
In my search for new opportunities, I discovered Wrike. Throughout the interview process, I quickly realized that Wrike was not just a company, but a dynamic community with a unique culture and compelling vision. The leaders I interacted with left a strong impression on me, and their ambitious plans resonated with my own aspirations, convincing me that this was the organization I wanted to be a part of. The decision to join Wrike has been a fruitful and fulfilling choice that continues to drive my professional growth.
What does a typical workday look like for you?
My typical week starts with an in-depth review of the previous week’s revenue figures and my team’s key performance indicators (KPIs). This step is essential to ensure we stay on target with our business objectives. Following the review, I engage in numerous weekly 1:1 discussions with my team members to stay connected, address challenges, and celebrate successes. I also attend client meetings to keep our relationships strong and understand their needs better.
The remainder of my week encompasses team meetings to align ourselves on projects and initiatives, and strategic discussions with sales operations and enablement teams, as well as crucial recruitment tasks to add to our growing talent pool. Given our dynamic business environment, the days seldom follow a predictable pattern. Hence, flexibility is key to managing the shifting demands successfully and staying effective in my role.
What is the hardest part of your job?
The hardest part of my job is prioritization. Juggling numerous projects, tasks, and unexpected challenges adds complexity. Prioritizing what is most impactful for the team and the company is essential, and often difficult. Another part is to ensure that my team stays motivated, especially in challenging times or during periods of intense workload.
What is the most rewarding part?
The most gratifying aspect of my role is the opportunity to actively participate in the career progression of my team members and support their development as sales professionals. I have been lucky to learn from exceptional leaders throughout my career, and I make it a point to share the wisdom and guidance they imparted. When someone on my team hits their target or earns a promotion, it makes me proud.
What motivates you when you’re at work?
Learning new things and embracing daily challenges motivate me. We are in a fast-paced environment and my work provides opportunities for growth, which is incredibly exciting. Seeing my team members achieve their goals and being part of their professional growth is a great source of motivation. Their successes are a reflection of shared effort and collaboration.
How would you describe your personality?
I would describe my personality as open and approachable. I believe in open lines of communication and trying to be approachable at all times. I encourage feedback and value building strong relationships with colleagues and team members.
What are three attributes of a successful salesperson at Wrike in your opinion?
Coachable, resilience, excellent communication skills.
Is there anything you don’t like about sales?
Although I like the field I am working in, there can be certain aspects that are challenging. Sales involves many rejections, which can be difficult to handle, especially when a significant amount of time and effort has been invested in pursuing a prospect. Also, it comes with high targets and deadlines, which can create huge pressure and stress.
If you were going to give someone who just decided to join one of the sales teams at Wrike one piece of advice, what would it be?
I would recommend not to give up when times are difficult. Sales is a rollercoaster with highs of landing a big deal and challenging lows of rejection. This is part of the job and you should embrace resilience. Your attitude and perseverance can make a big difference in your sales journey.
How have you professionally furthered your knowledge about diversity since joining Wrike?
I’ve started conversations with colleagues from diverse backgrounds to hear about their experiences and perspectives.
