PPB December 2019

everyone’s job easier here at BrightStores.” Another nominator, Sarah Tuomi, who is on the billing team, shares this example of how Shastry goes the extra mile. “The other day we got a very unusual question in support and I was stumped. He took the initiative to take it on and did quite a bit of research and testing, not stopping until he had exhausted all routes available. Akhil makes it his mission to truly get to the bottomof problems, not only to help the client, but to help BrightStores improve for the future.” How Akhil Sees It Best Part Of The Job: I enjoy being able to help our distributor clients in solving their complex issues and questions. Being able to provide an answer in these scenarios is always much more fulfilling. Biggest Challenge: I find that I am challenged most by unique or new problems presented by our system and take these challenges in stride to better myself and hopefully be able to provide feedback so we can supply a better product. His Inspiration To Go Above And Beyond: The unique questions and store configuration scenarios that are posed. While everything has its own “process,” I find the complex or unique questions have their own solutions and are somewhat like solving a puzzle. No. 1 Tip For Enhanced Customer Service: Don’t give up on tough questions and never be afraid to ask for help or more information. Trying to solve something without knowing the full picture could result in more issues. Best Personal Customer Service Experience: I was working with the support team for one of our technology providers to find out more information and I was pleased with how responsive and informative their team was with the questions I asked. This isn’t always the case when working with another company’s support team, but I’m always impressed when I do get to work with someone like this. MIKE TARTER Director of Inside Sales Elevate Brand Marketing Years At This Company: 7.5 A mong Mike Tarter’s seven nominators were several buyer clients, including the merchandise and promo buyer for a major Dallas sports team. “Mike has impeccable service,” she says. “We work with over 60 vendors and he is definitely a front runner and a pleasure to work with. He makes miracles happen like any superhero would.” Tarter was the first employee at Elevate Brand Marketing and worked his way up from graphic designer to director of inside sales. Today he’s responsible for managing a team of eight and handling order management, creative, product design and merchandising. “Mike can handle anything that is thrown at him, from presentations, creative concepts and virtual proofs to order placing, tracking, trouble shooting, follow up, client interaction and all around involvement,” says nominator Todd Exley, senior account manager. How Mike Sees It Best Part Of The Job: I love working with everyone on my team and am ecstatic when we deliver something to a client that they didn’t think was possible or when a client responds with an overly positive response to a job well done by me and my team. Biggest Challenge: We don’t want to let the customer down and sometimes timelines are very difficult to work with, but we will do everything in our power to make it happen or make it right. His Inspiration To Go Above And Beyond: Work ethic and making sure my clients are happy daily. Every day I am marketing myself with the work I do. My performance every day is important to me. That may be the athlete in me and my sports background. How you perform ‘on the field’ or in the workplace is everything and my clients are very important to me and my company. I’ve created FEATURE | Service Superheroes 70 | DECEMBER 2019 |