Colorado’s Most Powerful Salespeople: Bashir Bataille

ColoradoBiz Staff //January 15, 2013//

Colorado’s Most Powerful Salespeople: Bashir Bataille

ColoradoBiz Staff //January 15, 2013//

Bashir Bataille, 42

International sales manager, Geotech Environmental Equipment Inc., Denver

WHAT HE DOES: Develops international business for Geotech, a manufacturer of environmental equipment with two international offices and distribution in 72 countries. Bataille has specific business-development expertise in groundwater and soil applications with oil, mining, landfills and environmental consulting firms.

SALES PRODUCTION: In 2011, Bataille’s team increased international sales by 40 percent and was on track for a 39 percent increase in 2012. Fluent in Spanish as well as English, Bataille singlehandedly covers all of South America for Geotech, including Brazil, the fastest-growing economy in the world.

GOING THE EXTRA MILE: Even while traveling internationally, Bataille manages all his own orders including export requirements. A major oil and gas customer in Colombia once called believing it had received incorrect equipment, so despite dangers of guerillas and the remote location between two mountains, Bataille flew to the location to troubleshoot and properly deploy the equipment.

SALES TIP: “Just having the desire to sell is not enough,” Bataille says. “We must know our products, understand the markets, laws and regulations, know our customer needs, have discipline and a touch of spontaneity mixed with creativity.”

SALES PHILOSOPHY: “Respect ourselves, our family, our country, our job and our customers. Keep our moral values always present and be disciplined.”

HANDLING A NO: “Many times a ‘no’ is inevitable, but keep in mind that a ‘no’ now should later become a ‘yes,’” Bataille says. “Many times a ‘no’ represents the necessity of understanding our customer’s real needs.”