The monthly member spotlight is an opportunity to learn more about a leader at one of our member companies and showcase the work they are doing. This month, we spotlight Anna Foat, Chief Dog at Big Dog Sales Consulting. Learn more about Big Dog Sales Consulting in our member directory.
Name: Anna Foat
Title: Chief Dog
Company: Big Dog Sales Consulting
1. What is your role and what is your favorite part of your job?
Sales is not a hack, tip or trick. I know this because I’ve been successful over the long term. I joined BlackBerry in 1999, and watched less than 300 employees grow to over 16,000.
Canada is a hotbed of innovation right now but the biggest challenge to many founders is the successful commercialization of their ideas. Big Dog Sales Consulting was founded to funnel my passion and experience to help start ups and mid sized companies succeed.
I work with clients to identify their ideal customer, develop pricing structures create pitch decks, work towards the generation of a sales funnel, create a nurture cycle and set targets and reporting structures. My favourite part is of my job is when my clients succeed and have the big a-ha moment!
2. If you could have coffee with any business leader or industry expert, who would you choose, and why?
I’d select Kirstine Stewart because she has reinvented herself after spending many years at CBC, now heads up Twitter Canada. She is Canadian, a woman and someone who has been forthcoming with her insights and lessons learned.
3. What is the #1 business book/blog/website you would recommend?
Gaping Void (http://www.gapingvoid.com/newsletter) because business + art is awesome. Carpe diem every morning with “The Daily Cartoon.”
4. Looking at your company’s future, what are you most enthusiastic about?
The potential of a great idea to change the status quo, to knock the encumbent off a false pedestal – and working with these innovators and helping them realize their dreams
5. What excites you most about the local tech community?
The fact that it’s just getting started – there are so many companies that have had astronomical growth in the past 24 months – who knows what the next 2 years holds!
6. What causes or community activities is your company involved in?
Promotion of the local tech scene, past member of Habitat for Humanity, Current Board President of Grosvenor Nursery School and Committee Member Clara Brenton Home and School Association. Every Christmas my family adopts a family through LifeSpin and we support the Shoebox Project. I fundamentally believe that when you provide opportunity for people, when they desire change for the better they will reach out for your hand.
