International Women’s Day: Celebrating Women Who are Turning up the Heat
In celebration of International Women’s Day, we caught up with Anna Yeomans, one of our Area Sales Managers in the South West. Sharing her thoughts and experiences within the industry, how she supports her customers, and her advice to other women who wish to pursue a career in the heating and plumbing industry. Check out the interview below!
This year’s International Women’s Day theme is ‘Giving is Gaining.’ What does that mean to you and in your work with installers?
To me, "Giving is Gaining" means that when you put effort into something you are passionate about, results come from it. By being yourself, you gain so much more along the way. This idea reflects my commitment to the installers I work with and shows that I have the capacity and work ethic to support their business as they grow and succeed.
What does a typical day on the road with installers and merchants look like for you, and do you ever face challenges?
A typical day on the road for me involves meeting installers and visiting plumbing merchant branches. I focus on understanding their yearly figures and exploring ways to grow their business. Building and maintaining relationships is key to achieving this, but it comes with challenges. Some installers are initially hesitant to meet me one-to-one, often because they’re not used to seeing a woman in this field. Trusting that I have the knowledge and tools to support their success can take time. Once we’ve met and I’ve shown them my skills and experience, strong business relationships are formed, and I excel in helping them every step of the way.
How do you stay up to date with product developments, industry trends, and regulatory changes to best support installers?
I stay up to date with product developments, industry trends, and regulatory changes by attending regular training sessions and keeping up with new product launches. If I don’t know the answer, I can always rely on the supportive team behind me to help. Asking the right question once ensures I have that knowledge for a lifetime. This approach helps me grow and expand my expertise, making me an even better sales representative. I also stay on top of business updates as they happen, using online tools to track what’s going on behind the scenes in an industry that’s always evolving.
In the spirit of ‘Giving is Gaining’, what’s a small action you’ve taken with an installer or merchant that had a bigger impact on a project than you expected?
I devote a lot of time to support my installers, whether they are large installers or small one-man bands; they all get treated with the same amount of respect and urgency. For example, I once met an installer at a trade morning who was struggling to diagnose a boiler issue. He’d reached the point of replacing part after part without solving the problem. I decided to get one of our service colleagues out, to look at this appliance. Even though he didn't do large numbers, I could see he was getting to his wits' end with this. We were able to solve the root cause of the issue, and the customer was happy with the service. Since then, he has been installing Glow-worm products, and I'm always at the end of the phone to offer support if he should ever need it. It’s the little things that often make the biggest difference.
What advice would you give to other women considering a career in sales or within the heating and plumbing industry?
My advice to women who are looking to enter the world of heating and plumbing is simply, go for it! Whilst you may face challenges, there’s nothing more satisfying than demonstrating you’re capable and overcoming the odds. This job is fulfilling and fun, and you don't want to miss out on that because of challenges. Don't ask yourself, “What if?” Take the leap and choose the path that's right for you. Don't go on assumptions. The support I've received from other female colleagues has been astounding, and they’re always there to understand and encourage you.
What final message would you like to share with installers this International Women’s Day?
The final message I would like to share with installers on International Women's Day is to the women already in this sector. Thank you for the work you do, the paths you're paving and the example you set. Let's continue building a sector where talent is recognised, opportunities are equal, and respect is standard.