Old-fashioned values mean a lot to Mary Wells in her sales career.
Values like following through. Values like ensuring that your fellow employees can keep the promises you make.
Wells, account manager for Concentra Medical Centers, was recognized last week as Saleswoman of the Year by the Professional Saleswomen of Nevada.
She works with businesses throughout northern Nevada for Concentra, a company that provides healthcare service for Workers Compensation as well as other occupational health services.
"It touches people. There is a real sense of accomplishment," Wells said of her work.
But she said it also demands meticulous customer service and follow-through.
"When someone calls you with an issue, there has to be a resolution," Wells said.
A good reputation for customer service, she said, can be just as important to a salesperson as having a good product or service to sell.
She said her success in sales also reflects the work of other Concentra employees. The company operates medical centers at Reno, Sparks and Carson City.
"I can't sell what they can't deliver," she said. "They're awesome."
Wells has worked with Concentra for six years in sales and customer-service positions.
Members of the business community nominate candidates for the Saleswoman of the Year Award. Five finalists are selected for interviews by judges.
Along with Wells, finalists this year included Alix Martinez, a sales manager for the Reno-Sparks Convention Center; Susan Fix, administrator of the Sparks Heritage Museum; Lory Rosene, a coach with Breakthrough Training and Susan Spillers, co-owner and vice president of sales at Digiprint.
The judging panel included Marti Benjamin, president of Business Energetix; Sandy Gamblin, vice president and general manager of Citadel Communications in Reno; Maura Kenney, sales manager of RGJ Custom Publishing Group; Len Stevens, executive director of the Sparks Chamber of Commerce; and last year's winner, Joan Maguire, corporate sales manager of Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa.
