Windy city workforce

This department spotlights a relatively recent addition to the workforce, focusing on the person’s educational or working background, daily responsibilities, challenges, passions, frustrations and outlook for his or her future in the field.

Name: Sara Jahn
Age: 29
Company: StratEx Partners
StratexPartners.com
Title: Account Executive

How you ended up here: I was introduced to Stratex Partners through Humatol Staffing Agency. Stratex Partners is a Chicago-based human resources company that provides cost-effective HR solutions for companies ranging in size from 20-10,000 employees. Stratex Partners helps to reduce costs and eliminate some of the hassles associated with the HR function.

How long you’ve been at it: I have been with Stratex Partners for about a year, but I have been in sales and marketing for the last eight years or so.

Who you answer to, if anyone: I answer to the boss.

Hours you expect to be at work: I’m working all of the time. The majority of my business comes from networking, not cold calling, so whenever I am out and about, I am always on the lookout for new opportunities. I’m typically in the office from 9-5, though.

Breakdown of what people anticipate from you: In the words of Glengarry Glen Ross — ABC (always be closing). It is my job to drive sales and bring in new business.

Best perk: Being in sales gives me a lot of flexibility with my schedule, which is really important to me.

I know it’s a good day when... I close a new account!

I have trouble dealing with… incompetent people.

Why do you think more companies are beginning to outsource a lot of the human resources duties these days? Our entire business is predicated on the notion that the administrative and legal burden of managing employees is too much for any business to not consider using our services. StratEx provides a unique and cost-effective way for organizations to manage the essential aspects of a company’s human resources needs, all with a single source. We automate the paper-intensive HR and payroll processes, manage human resources and mitigate all risk associated with employees. By doing these three things, we free up a signifgant amount of time, ultimately allowing our clients to focus on growing their business.

When you think about it, doesn’t it almost make too much sense to let someone else handle it so you can concentrate more on growing your business? Absolutely! And that is my completely unbiased opinion.

For those just starting off in sales, what would you say is the best way to earn a potential client’s trust? Be honest, and be yourself. People buy from people they like. Often times, people “buy” people so to speak, not products or services. Sell something that you believe in, and don’t be taken aback by rejection. The more you hear “No,” the more you’ll hear “Yes.” You will hear it, too. It’s just part of the sales process.

What might you change if given the chance? Well… if I knew, I would probably change it. Actually, I would make it so that every person I cold-call takes a meeting with me.

Organization, in business and in life, is... something that I need to work on! I am not detail-oriented at all. I am a people person… that’s why I am in sales!

Why do you have a smile on your face when you come to work? Because I am happy and healthy. I am surrounded by great friends, great co-workers and an amazing family.

You also are involved in a fair amount of charity work. Tell us about any projects you’ve got on the horizon. Yes, I am very involved with several organizations including: Meals On Wheels, Imerman Angels and Be Bright Pink.
Imerman Angels (www.ImermanAngles.org) is a one-on-one cancer support organization that takes one person who is fighting cancer and pairs them up with someone who has survived that same type of cancer. On Sunday, Sept. 28, Imerman Angels has teamed up with Akira for a fashion show.

To kick off breast cancer awareness month, Be Bright Pink (www.BeBrightPink.org), an organization that raises awareness for young women who are at high risk of breast and ovarian cancer, will be hosting “La Vie En Rose” at Bon V Chicago.

And one of my favorite events of the year, presented by Meals On Wheels Chicago (www.mealsonwheelschicago.org), is the Celebrity Chef Ball, which will be held at Macy’s on State Oct. 17. This is an event that you shouldn’t miss! Tickets for all three events are on sale now with proceeds benefiting each respective cause.

Where can you go from here? Well, I think that someday I will get back into management again. Stratex Partners is growing pretty rapidly, and I can see myself moving into that role in the future. I just love working with people and helping them grow both personally and professionally.

Advice for joining the field: Get rid of your safety net. If you have something to fall back on, you usually will.

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