We recently connected with Hannah Shahriyari and have shared our conversation below.

Hannah, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the best advice you ever gave to a client? How did they benefit / what was the result?

As Director of Sales at GeoLinks, I am continuously helping customers choose the right internet speeds for their individual or business needs. One of the best pieces of advice I’ve given involved a client who wanted one gigabit of internet for their home use. They initially wanted the highest possible speed, believing it to be the best for their needs. Instead of immediately overselling, I decided to assess their usage pattern and needs.

We had a conversation about how and why they use the internet – was it for simple browsing, working from home, streaming content or gaming? Using this information, I advised that they wouldn’t need a whole gig for and 100 megabits (Mbps) would be more than enough. By following this advice, they not only saved money but also got a service more suited to their requirements.

Hannah, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My current position is the Director of Sales at GeoLinks, an award-winning enterprise telecommunications company with one of the largest fixed wireless networks in the United States. I have over 8 years of experience in sales and business development, having served Global Fortune 500 companies in Silicon Valley and innovative startups abroad. Through successfully navigating the challenges of sales and business, I have amassed an impressive track record in developing relationships with global corporations, securing sales growth, and driving successful outcomes. Before joining GeoLinks, I was the Sales Adoption Manager at Verizon, serving as the product and technical expert for the sales teams and clients, and participated in the Verizon Leadership Academy.

As GeoLinks’ Director of Sales, I am determined to propel the sales team forward. I serve as an inspirational force, crafting long-term sales plans, analyzing market trends, nurturing existing customer relationships, and regularly setting and promoting objectives. Additionally, I take the lead in developing comprehensive, precise sales reports that support and strengthen GeoLinks’ performance.

I would like readers to know that as an American Iranian woman, I have personally experienced the obstacles faced by minorities in industries like telecom, where women are still breaking barriers. My personal experiences fuel my passion to actively champion women in the workplace and leadership roles, promoting their representation and voices. One of my key passions is building platforms that enable women to display their skills, share their stories, and engage in meaningful networking.

Above all, I am proud of the genuine, lasting relationships I’ve built with clients and teams, and the impactful growth strategies I’ve spearheaded throughout my career. I am deeply passionate about not just meeting, but exceeding client expectations and building a reputation of excellence.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I experienced a significant career pivot when I transitioned to international sales roles at ResearchGate in Berlin, Germany, and Hotelchamp in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Despite my prior experience in sales, this move was a significant shift from the American market. I had to immerse myself in the Scandinavian and British markets and understand and cater to different customer personas, which required adapting to cultural nuances and business norms. This transition taught me the importance of flexibility and adaptability in the face of changing business landscapes. It also increased my experience, providing me with global market exposure and a multifaceted understanding of customer behavior and sales strategies.

Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?

One of my favorite sales stories revolves around delivering internet services to a customer located in a remote rural area. This customer urgently required a dependable internet connection, but the conventional service offerings from larger telecom providers weren’t suitable for their location. Rather than deeming their connectivity requirements too intricate or expensive to address, we engineered a custom-built service package that fulfilled their needs effectively.

Not only did this demonstrate our company’s flexibility and commitment to customer satisfaction, it also established a strong relationship with the client.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://geolinks.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahshahriyari/