Interpath Services, driven by purpose, boasts a Sales Team distinguished by its exceptional expertise. In a bid to illuminate the wealth of knowledge within the team, we present a series of insightful interviews.
Today, we engage in a conversation with Rachida Kerrout, a seasoned Account Manager, who graciously shares her wealth of experience and invaluable contributions to Interpath.
Career Background and Suitability:
Rachida's journey spans over a decade in the dynamic life science industry, encompassing diverse roles across various businesses. Armed with a Bachelor's degree in biomedical science, she has not only amassed a wealth of knowledge but also fostered enduring relationships with customers throughout her career journey.
Role and Expertise:
As an Account Manager with a focus on Victoria, specifically Bayside and Southeast territories, Rachida's expertise is centered around liquid handling, microbiology, and cell culture products. Her role involves not only providing solutions but also forging meaningful connections with her clientele.
Enjoyment in Role:
Rachida derives immense satisfaction from the personal touch inherent in her role. The opportunity to be face-to-face with customers, delve into their work, and build on existing relationships is what fuels her passion. Acknowledging the responsibility that comes with her role, she values the trust customers place in her during challenging situations, seeing it as an opportunity to strengthen relationships and contribute to Australia's flourishing life science research landscape.
Initial Impressions at Interpath:
Rachida articulates her positive surprise at the trust vested in the team despite Interpath being part of the larger Bunzl corporation. She expresses excitement about the company's recent growth and looks forward to contributing meaningfully to its ongoing success story.
Market Challenges:
Rachida candidly discusses challenges faced by the market, including increased costs, a weakened AUD dollar, and logistical complications. These challenges necessitate strategic decisions such as price adjustments, impacting customer preferences. She underscores the importance of adapting to changing customer dynamics, as they increasingly prefer self-interaction, making continuous website improvement crucial.
Priorities for 2024:
With a shift back to in-office work, Rachida outlines her priorities for the year. Increased face-to-face visits top the list, recognizing the indispensable value of personal interactions in understanding customer requirements and building stronger relationships. Reflecting on the commendable growth in 2023, her aim is to expand Interpath's presence in sectors like food, beverage, and pharmaceutical production, diversifying beyond the traditionally focused areas of pathology, academia, and research.
Industry Trends of 2024:
Rachida sheds light on prevailing industry trends, noting a significant focus on mRNA research with substantial grants supporting this area. She also highlights the exciting growth in cellular agriculture, an experimental frontier that holds promising potential for the future.
Customer Challenges:
Customers grapple with challenges such as price hikes and inconsistent product supply amid market fluctuations. Rachida emphasizes the need for closer collaboration, offering not just products but also advice and support to navigate these challenges effectively.
Lessons Learned:
Rachida imparts a crucial lesson drawn from the past 12-18 months: it is better to be proactive than reactive. Strengthening communication channels, offering alternatives, and a deepening understanding of customers and products have been instrumental in exceeding expectations.
Message to Customers:
In a heartfelt message to customers, Rachida expresses Interpath's commitment to working closely with them to ensure mutual success. She places high value on customer feedback and assures them of expert support, especially in the Greiner preanalytics division, where the team provides unwavering support during and after purchases.
Rachida Kerrout's journey at Interpath epitomizes dedication, expertise, and a commitment to collaborative success. As we continue to unravel the diverse experiences within Interpath's Sales Team, stay tuned for more in-depth insights from our purpose-driven professionals.
If you would like to contact Rachida or one of the Interpath team, please do so HERE.