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Sandy Poster recently
celebrated her 11th year at
distributor Axis Promotions
but started her career in the
garment industry as a buyer,
thenmoved to the sales side of
the business. Her final position
in that industrywas in the
handbagmarket where shewas
responsible for sales/product
development for Target, Kohl’s
andMay Company stores, now
part ofMacy’s.
Perhaps it’s her experience
in the whirlwind garment
industry that has helped
her to learn to keep calm
and carry on. It’s a quality
both of her nominators
greatly admire. “Nomatter
the situation, Sandy
always remains calm,” says
nominator Meghan Albohn,
who has reported to Poster
for the past year, and calls her
a great teacher andmentor.
“Even in her moments of
stress, she remains more calm
than I ever could. I admire
that about her, and hope to
one day learn her ways.”
Paredes, who has reported
to Poster for nine years, is
likewise appreciative of her
boss’s unruffled demeanor.
“It makes talking to her
about tough projects easy—I
know she won’t scold or
micromanageme,” she says.
The pair also look up to
their boss to set examples
they can follow to improve
their own business aptitude.
“Her communications skills
with clients are a learning
experience and so are her
sales pitches,” says Paredes.
“She knows how to work
a crowd and is able to ask
the right questions to find
solutions or connections
with people. I admire the
way she builds relationships
and re-connects with
relationships she’s had
in the past. Not only is
shemy workmombut I
consider her a friend.”
Most important lesson
learned as a boss:
I am
always learning and trying to
improve our team balance,
communication and growth.
My latest lesson, which I
try to practice every day
and improve, is to
listen.
Philosophy for successfully
managing people:
R-E-
S-P-E-C-T, constant
training and fun.
To create a positive team
culture:
Lead by example.
I like to start each day in
a positive manner. It’s as
simple as saying ‘hello’
and ‘good morning’ with a
smile. I also try to set an
example by sharing the
same work ethic and respect
for my team as I do for
our vendors and clients.
Additionally, I am very
involved in the ongoing
development of the Axis
culture and our core values
program. I urge my team to
follow their passions at Axis.
We are a company where,
after due diligence and
demonstrated commitment,
employees can create new
initiatives, programs, one-
time events, etc. I urge my
team to get involved and take
on responsibilities in areas
where they feel comfortable
and have interest.
Best advice for other people
managers:
I am only as
good as my team, our office
and our company. Without
complete understanding of
this, and mutual respect,
I could not have built the
business I have. I am grateful
every day for Susan, Meghan,
our Rye Brook [New York]
team and everyone at Axis.
Best boss ever:
My best boss
is my current boss, Larry
Cohen [president of Axis
Promotions]. I have always
worked best forging my own
path. At Axis we each have
our own sales team. I know
Larry is available for me
when needed and will supply
guidance when requested.
He has a very calm manner
which is helpful when
stressful situations arise as
they often do in this industry.
Sandy Poster
SALES LEAD/ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
AXIS PROMOTIONS, NEW YORK, NEW YORK
NUMBER OF DIRECT REPORTS:
2
NOMINATED BY:
Susan Paredes and Meghan Albohn
ONE-ON-ONE WITH SANDY POSTER
2016
Sandy Poster (left) enjoys time outside the office with her direct reports
Meghan Albohn and Susan Paredes.
I am only as good as my team,
our office and our company.
SANDY’S COOL FACTOR
“When we go to meetings
together she doesn’t refer
to me as her assistant
or support staff,” says
nominator Susan Paredes.
“She tells clients I’m her
colleague or her ‘other
half.’ Both of our initials
are SP and so she’ll say,
‘We’re the same person.’ I
think that’s pretty cool and
makes me feel like I’m an
asset to her team and not
just her assistant.”
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OCTOBER 2016
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FEATURE
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Best Bosses