Some people think that selling is a very arduous field of work. But, for an ambitious man like Jerry S. Campaña, area sales manager for Mindanao of Maryland Distribution, Inc. (MLDI) for Redbull products, being dedicated to one’s work will help lead one to a successful career.
That’s what he did right after graduating in 1999 from the Holy Cross of Davao College on Sta. Avenue with a bachelor’s degree in management accounting.
“In 2009, when I received a call from MLDI hiring me as area sales manager for Mindanao, I did not hesitate to accept it. I am an ambitious man,” Campaña said.
That was after two years of being a supervisor for Southern Mindanao of Ever Fresh Del Monte. Aiming for a position that required lording it over larger area of responsibility, Campaña applied for a job with MLDI.
Much earlier, before working for Del Monte and MLDI, Campaña had worked for another firm where he proved to himself that he could handle more critical tasks.
“My experience with Ace Foods, Inc. for five years had really honed my ability in sales. I considered that company as the stepping stone of my sales career,” he said.
Ace Foods, Inc., national distributor of Ram products (such as pickles, raisins and tomato sauce), Minola oil and Extra Joss, hired Campaña in 2002 as van salesman—the lowest position in sales. He used to do direct selling to sari-sari (variety) stores, mostly in residential areas.
“Init gud na kaayo kay ikaw gud ang mo-deliver. Desisyon nako sa una, motrabaho gyud kog sakto,” he shared, adding that after three months he was promoted to key account specialist. This time, 80-90 percent of the company’s income was through his efforts.
About his booking of purchase orders (PO) from malls and warehouses in Davao City, he said, “Dili na ko magdalag stocks. Mag-PO na lang. Naa na koy kotse,” he said, grinning at the thought.
Campaña bared his long-time ambition to own a car and earn more incentives. That’s why he excelled in his performance as van salesman, showing his capacity to fill quotas. As key account specialist, his quota was up to P10 million a month.
Having a mentor who had inspired him to move up his career path, Campaña is very grateful to Edmund Ejar, the assistant vice president for Mindanao, at the time. “We still chat and drink together sometimes,” he said.
“Sa iyaha gyud ko nagpasalamat. Tanan niya gitudlo na-apply gihapon nako karon,” Campaña said, citing the most useful lessons such as in handling customers, implementing basic call procedures and work attitude.
Campaña felt really challenged, especially in meeting the company’s expectations of him. He said Ejar had noticed that his dedication was fueled by his ambition.
“Once motrabaho kog sakto-sakto, mangayo gyud kog reward. Dapat naa gyud kay objectives ngano bisan under pressure motrabaho gyug ka kay pagnaga-perform kag sakto-sakto, basin ma-promote ka kung mabakante ang higher position,” he said.
He added that there are some who are ambitious but use the sip-sip (boss’ pet) mechanism to gain promotion. He was even called kuripot (stingy) by his senior colleagues because he would only chip in a minimal amount every time they went to bars for drinks.
“Grabe ko mo-value sa akong hinaguan, maong ginaingnan ko nila na kuripot,” he said, adding that he would not spend his incentives merely for pleasure. Saving all the money he could for his future family, Campaña at age 24 married Irene Jonabelle Acedo.
Aiming for the next higher position—national sales manager—he had been focusing more on his work also to sustain medication for his three-year old daughter, Jerrene Margaret. She was diagnosed for Calpocephaly, an affliction she carried with her from the womb. The girl has some sort of a hole in her brain which the family doctor said would heal only after five years of medication.
Traveling weekly to the cities of Zamboanga, Ozamis and Butuan, Campaña only stays in Davao City for a week, but he always makes sure that he goes home on Saturday and go to chirch with his family on Sunday.
Campaña continues to aim for a national position with any company that will trust his performance as a salesman before his 40th birthday. “Gihatag na gud sa imo ang posisyon, imo pa bang binuangan?” he said.
BY the time he is 45, Campaña intends to run his own business along the line of distribution which is his expertise. Today at 32, this man who takes his ambition seriously, has still a lot of time to achieve it. It seems there is no stopping him. [Lorie Ann A. Cascaro]
