Employee Spotlight – Ross Adams
"I've always been drawn to sales"
Meet Ross Adams, an Account Executive in Arkansas, whose dedication to building relationships, solving customer challenges, and love for travel drive his success at Cisco-Eagle.
What’s Important Here
Ross Adams, Account Executive at Cisco-Eagle, combines his passion for sales, building customer relationships, and love for travel to help businesses thrive. Here’s how he’s making an impact in the material handling industry.
What first inspired you to pursue a career in sales, and how did that path lead you to Cisco-Eagle?
I’ve always been drawn to sales, right from the start of my career, even during college. I come from the agriculture industry, where relationship-building is key. I’ve always had a knack for connecting with people, understanding their needs, and providing solutions. Whether it was helping customers find the right tractor or piece of equipment, I knew that building strong relationships was central to success.
When the opportunity with Cisco-Eagle came along, I knew nothing about material handling. But I was excited about the challenge. I believed that by asking the right questions, I could tap into the wealth of knowledge here at Cisco-Eagle. I also knew that we had the resources to solve customers’ problems, no matter how big or small. That, combined with my passion for helping people, made me plunge into this industry.
Sales can be challenging. What motivates you to keep pushing forward in your pursuit?
Sales certainly has its ups and downs, and plenty of challenges along the way. But what motivates me is simple…I don’t like hearing “no.” It drives me to ask the right questions and find ways to help customers achieve their goals. Even if the price isn’t right or something isn’t in the budget, I focus on how we can make it work. What drives me is helping that customer gain what they are wanting to gain and alleviate that pain from their day to day job.
What do you think is the most underrated skill that helps you succeed?
I’d say the ability to talk to anyone. I’ve never met a stranger, and I’m always up for a conversation, whether it’s about work or just random life topics. I genuinely enjoy getting to know people and building those relationships, not just in a professional sense, but personally too. Asking about someone’s day or how their kids are doing helps me connect with them on a deeper level, which is crucial when building trust in sales.
Where do you see the future of material handling heading in the next five years, and how do you plan to evolve with it?
The future is leaning toward more automation, and we’ve already seen that shift happening. Cisco-Eagle is staying ahead of the curve by aligning itself with the industry’s needs. To stay relevant, we’re constantly training and staying up-to-date with customer goals and industry trends.
Five years from now, I expect that we’ll be providing even more advanced solutions as the material handling landscape continues to evolve. I’m excited to be part of a team that’s already preparing for that future.
What advice would you give to someone just starting their career in sales, especially in a fast-evolving industry like ours?
My advice is twofold: first, don’t give up. You’re going to face a lot of rejection, and it’s easy to get discouraged when doors close or when customers aren’t ready to buy. But it’s crucial to keep pushing forward. Keep coming back, because persistence pays off. Second, always keep improving. The more you learn, the better you’ll become. Stay curious, ask questions, and never stop growing.
You’re an avid traveler. What’s one destination that has left a lasting impression on you?
Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic stands out as a place I would visit again. The people are incredibly warm and welcoming, and I had the unique opportunity to play baseball there. The experiences I had, learning from locals, playing alongside them, and seeing kids pick up baseball for the first time, left a lasting impression on me. It’s a place that truly captured my heart.
Who is Cisco-Eagle
Family. I love coming to work every day, especially now that the office has moved from Little Rock to Jonesboro, where I’m in the office more regularly. The relationships we have here, both with colleagues and with customers, make the work we do rewarding. It’s truly a pleasure to be part of this team.
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Evan Fleishacker is a Marketing Strategist at Cisco-Eagle. You can find him on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/evanf