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I know it’s a cliché but it‘s still true; I love working with distributors to help build their business. If the distributors are
busy, then we are busy and everyone benefits!
BILL WOODS DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AT FUNKTION ONE
You’ve been working in the professional audio industry for a number of years, what first attracted you to a career in sound technology? I’d been playing saxophone - badly - in bands for years, whilst working 9-to-5 selling Kleenex tissues. When I saw an ad for a ‘blue-chip-trained salesman with an interest in music’, I thought - that’s my job! I had a very prolonged interview with Tony Oates, then of Shuttlesound; he was so enthusiastic about Sound Reinforcement, the brands he represented and the quality of the audio and service his company offered that I was hooked. I owe Tony a lot for taking a chance on me.
Turbosound, Ashly Audio, MC2 and XTA are amongst the companies you have worked for, and now you are at Funktion One. What lead you to your latest role? XTA and MC Audio manufacture processors and amplifiers for Funktion One. As Funktion One are located very close to where I live, I often visited them and was impressed with the enthusiasm and passion that embodies their company. The product is - of course - superb. One day Ann Andrews and I were discussing distribution and it became obvious to both of us that I had the kind of experience they needed and we should be working together. After some discussions we agreed everything and here I am.
Funktion One work in collaboration with MC2 and XTA, so presumably you are quite familiar with its products. What advantages will this bring to your day-to-day duties? The electronics built by XTA and MC Audio are fundamental to Funktion One’s systems; it is certainly doesn’t hurt to know these products already.
www.mondodr.com
You are in charge of Business Development, which markets are you are keen to expand? Without giving too much away, I’m looking at all aspects of Funktion One’s business. Having worked for the last 25 years for a number of pro audio companies I have a very wide experience. I worked for Ashly Audio in the United States so I know how the rep system works there. I was Sales Director for a UK distributor so I understand distribution, and I also understand the obligations that a manufacturer has to all of its customers. Clearly Funktion One is a manufacturer that has a very loyal and passionate following, and the distributors with whom we work will get 100% support from me. We are looking to develop new territories and will undoubtedly form strong relationships with distributors in those territories whilst consolidating existing distribution.
What are you most looking forward to in your new position? I know it’s a cliché but it‘s still true; I love working with distributors to help build their business. If the distributors are busy, then we are busy and everyone benefits! I am very excited to be working as part of this very focussed and enthusiastic group of people.
Funktion One celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. What does it mean to you to be part of the company at this momentous time? I guess there will be a party at some time - always a good idea! But more seriously - it’s a great time to join Funktion One. The company has been growing steadily and, despite the gloomy economic forecast, has a very strong upward momentum. There’s a lot going on in terms of product development, so I see plenty of potential for further success.
What do you think will be the next technological advancement in the audio industry? As a ‘dyed in the wool’ sales guy I have always relied on engineers creating amazing products that I can then go out and sell to distributors worldwide. I’m certainly in the right place for that to happen now, so watch this space.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone just starting out in the audio world what would it be? One thing I’ve always tried to be is honest with everyone. Sometimes honesty is the most difficult and troublesome option, but it really is the right one. However (and I claim no originality for this, because Jack Kelly of Group One told me it), I believe that you really become a successful salesperson in the Pro Audio Industry only when you treat your customers’ problems as seriously - or even more seriously - than you treat your own. That’s a great piece of advice that anyone in sales should take onboard.
Where would you like to see yourself in five years time? Impossible to say. Five years ago I was living in New York - now here I am at Funktion One in deepest Sussex. In five years time I’ll just be happy to be selling great products to great distributors, wherever they are across the globe.
Do you have a philosophy for life? That question is a bit too deep for me. I have always tried to work hard, treat people with respect and be honest. My wife and I have four amazing kids who all display these same qualities. If that is a philosophy - that’ll do for me.
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