#Interview
I would like to point out the great work of the sales team,
successful marketing launches of the new products, good
support for these launches, and, of course, accurate pricing.
As for the next fiscal year, the strategy has been determined,
and the tools are mainly the same. Besides, we will focus on
new products’ launches, Davidoff Reach in particular. Thus,
we will certainly keep our direction to success!
– As for geography of sales, we know that you do not usually
pay tribute to individuals; however, could you please tell us what
regions went ‘an extra mile’ to achieve the objectives or may be
even overtop them?
– I really think that success is a result of teamwork primarily.
It is impossible without the contribution of each team player.
However, I would like to name the three leading teams among
the six ones directly involved in sales. They are Key Accounts
(KA) team, which secured a 44% increase in sales volume
compared to FY 2017 year-end, and sales teams of the South
P&S ACHIEVED
A MARKET SHARE
OF 2.82% AND BECAME
ONE OF THE TOP TEN
RUSSIAN CIGARETTE
BRANDS
IN THE PAST FISCAL YEAR WE INCREASED SALES VOLUME
BY 3% ON THE MARKET, WHICH WAS DECLINING BY 8%
and the West regions with growth amounted to 19% and 6%
respectively.
– The start of sales of the myblu vaporizer in Russia became the hot
topic of the year. Do we plan to extend the geography of sales of myblu
in FY 2019?
– Promotion of myblu in 2019 will be primarily focused in key
accounts and vape channels. However, I will not be surprised,
if we decide to try ourselves in certain retail outlets of
traditional trade.
– You have been working for Imperial Tobacco for 15 years.
Congratulations. What was your career path? Аre you still
interested in what you do? What events, which took place in these
years, you remember the most?
– I sure am interested; otherwise, I would not be working.
In these years, I held five different positions with different
scope of responsibilities, but all them were in sales. I believe
sales are perfect for me because I can never get bored. New
FY 2018 MAKES
ME FEEL PROUD FOR
IMPERIAL TOBACCO
objectives and challenges are permanent. There were many
different events during my time with Imperial, and most of
them were positive. The past fiscal year will certainly add
to my bank of great memories with the company because it
makes me feel proud of Imperial Tobacco! This is in fact the
most remarkable time during my career at Imperial.
– We have heard that you like tennis. There is fierce struggle and
competition in this sport. You have achieved considerable success
in amateur tournaments. This spirit of competition is not just
a coincidence, isn’t it? Why tennis? What do you like about this
sport? Does it help you win at work?
– Yes, I like tennis and I take part in tournaments. I would
not want to exaggerate my achievements, but every victory
brings satisfaction, especially when your rival is 10 to 15
years younger. I am convinced that almost any sport helps
to achieve success in business in general, and in sales in
particular. I also like football. I travel and read at spare time.
I also like animals.
– What are your favorite books?
– There are many books that I like. I would like to mention
classical literature here: ‘Heart of a Dog’ by Mikhail Bulgakov
and ‘Crime and Punishment’ by Fyodor Dostoevsky.
– To wrap it up, what would you like to tell your colleagues on the
threshold of the new fiscal year?
– I will be brief: «We will continue to go on to success»
The Империалист | | 9