Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/893182
w 16 PalletCentral • September-October 2017 palletcentral.com Set Goals That Matter to You MOLLY GORDON SALES GREENWAY PRODUCTS B efore she sold pallets, Molly Gordon bought them. As the purchasing manager for a label manufacturer, it was one of her duties. When she was ready for a career change, her supplier – Pallets Unlimited – was happy to bring her on board. For the past 18 years, she has helped grow the company's sales. "My proudest moment is when I won my first my $1 million contract. It took a lot of time, and it was a team effort with the company," she says. "Accomplishments are not reached by yourself. It's always a team effort, from the person on the floor to the person who collects the money. Getting to that level was not easy, but eventually we got there." She advises young women entering the pallet industry to set goals that matter. "Motivation is the key to achieving goals," she says. "So when you set goals for yourself, make sure they're important to you, that there is value in achieving them. If you have little interest in the outcome or they are irrelevant given the larger picture, the chances to make them happen are slim." She also offers a word of warning that stereotyping still exists. "The perceptions of jobs and roles has always been stereotyped. However, there are women who have broken through barriers and made significant inroads in the male-dominated industries, dealing with some customers who were accustomed to doing business with only men," she says. "I believe patience, concentration, quick decision-making, alertness and follow-up are required to succeed. You have to prove yourself a thousand times over. You have to bring something to the table that's not just about selling pallets." Every Job Is Equally Important LINDSEY SHEAN NATIONAL ACCOUNTS MANAGER VALLEY PALLET INC. T hough her dad owns Valley Pallet, Lindsey Shean didn't think she would get into the family business. An accomplished golfer, she took a shot at the pro circuit while working part-time at the company's Phoenix location. "As I dove into it, I enjoyed the business. I enjoyed the challenge of getting orders out and working with customers," she says. Concluding that she no longer wanted to play golf, Lindsey took on more responsibility with the company, eventually managing accounts in Arizona and the southwest as a regional sales representative. Two years ago, she moved to the main plant in Salinas to take over as the national accounts manager and sales manager role. "I oversee our sales team and kind of handle our national accounts and oversee all that activity, anything from customer service to overall account management," she says. One of her concerns is getting the next generation of workers involved in the industry. "Our industry will continue to evolve. Society will continue to evolve. I think we do need more women leaders. I think it's about getting more involved and getting new blood and new ideas," she says. Her advice to the next generation is to adopt a team mentality. "I think really what I've learned as I worked my way through the positions is to make sure you're playing as a team," she says. "My biggest thing has always been to respect every single position in our company. Everybody's position is important, from people in the yard to building products to drivers delivering the load. Everybody's job is as important as the others." LEADERS "My biggest thing has always been to respect every single position in our company." Lindsey Shean w "You have to bring something to the table that's not just about selling pallets." Molly Gordon