Interview with Giuseppe Cappelletta, 55 years-old, our sales representative for almost ten years for the area between Molise, northern Puglia and Benevento.
Nice to meet you Giuseppe. Do you tell us how you started working in lubricants market?
I remember it very well: it was in 1991, between March and June. After five years spent working in transport sector, my mother suggested me to become a salesman. I took a course and quickly a well-known competitor of Roloil called me: then a world opened up to me.
Have you ever wanted to become a salesman?
Before making this choice, it has been tough years. I got a diploma in surveying and i meant to enroll at he university. Then my dad left and another wage at home was really needed.
Then when did you arrive in Roloil?
I’ve been working in Roloil for almost ten years and I take care of managing the area which it comprehends the region of Molise, the province of Benevento and the northern Puglia [Ed: provinces of Foggia, BAT and Bari]. Here i made a qualitative leap since i’ve been assuming more and more responsabilities as coordinator salesman.
Can you better explain what your tasks are?
I visit all the realities that have lubrication needs in order to sell Roloil products, in particular mechanical workshops and agricultural companies but not only. “We are also structured to serve the tailor who needs sewing machine oil” they told me as soon as I started [Ed: he laughs]. It was obviously a joke but I admit it gives the idea.
I also have the task as well of connecting the work of other salespeople in the area which i’m in charge of: Roloil is actually the latest brand with its own sales force on the field and which does not entrust its distribution mainly to distributors. This allows us salesmen to establish a solid relationship with the customers and reach every area of Italy.
What do you appreciate most about Roloil?
Definitely the familiarity. Here i don’t feel just as a worker or an e-mail. Roloil is made up of people and thanks to its history which it was born in 1933, we have so much experience that we’re capable of facing every new challenge with many solutions.
How do you deal with customers?
You should ask them [Ed: he smiles]. Excellent: it’s the relationship which you’re able to build with them what motivates me the most every day. We salespeople are the outpost on the field in charge of representing the brand and telling the headquarter what changes are happening underway. I happen to meet some customers at stadium while Foggia football team’s playing or at camping.
Talk us about your team: who are you?
There are eight of us. Besides me, Savino, Enrico, Raffaele, Marco, Pietro, Vito and recently Fabio joined us. They’re all really amazing, very capable and reliable. People whom i established a relationship which it goes beyond work shifts and whom it’s interesting to discuss with.
May you tell us further?
Enrico is known as “the pharmacist” because of his accuracy. Raffaele is the artist of the group: he plays the guitar and he’s very creative. Marco strikes you for his particular kindness; in short, a man of other times. Savino is very confident and he’s always exuberant. Then there are Pietro known as “Piero”, the gentleman, and Vito, a person who always comes to your aid. Eventually Fabio, the young new entry, whom I am getting to know: up to now I call him very reliable but I will be able to tell you [Ed: he laughs].
However, I cannot fail to mention Filippo, careful, scrupulous and highly trained, and the people working in Roloil branch located in Napoli: Rocco, a tireless and passionate worker, and Luisa, Rossella and Mary, who have rare patience and availability. It’s nice to work with such an enlarged team!
What would you advise to someone wanting to begin your job?
It’s tough: you have to believe in it and have passion. It requires commitment, dedication and above all the determination not to give up at the first difficulties. You have to really appreciate the fact that you are a real support to the needs of the other. If you do it just to do it, it’s not your job. Passion and relationship are the two key concepts.
Can you tell us a funny anecdote?
Better not to mention the name but once there was a quarrel with a customer who wanted to interrupt the supply: thanks to teamwork we were able to recover the relationship immediately. That customer continues to be followed by the same agent… but he doesn’t know [Ed: he laughs].
