Exemplary career in sales network management

Gizem Açal is one of the top 25 sales network management advisors. What is the secret to her success, and what advice does she have for other women?

Gizem, you have worked in sales network management at Generali for two years now. What brought you to Generali?

Gizem: Ending up at Generali was a happy accident. Originally, my husband had applied for the job. After the interview, when he told me about the position, we realised that I was a much better fit. So I submitted my application and one thing led to another.

Like many of my colleagues, I came to Generali from a different industry. Before that, I had never worked for an insurance company or in sales network management. It was important to me to have a job where I could apply my knowledge as a certified Business Administrator (Federal Diploma). I also wanted to pursue my passion: working with all kinds of different people. Working as an insurance consultant is the perfect combination for me.

I had a great start at Generali and got to complete an excellent training course at the Generali Academy. I spent a lot of time learning about the products and services in depth. This allows me to offer expert advice and tailor-made solutions to my customers.

What is particularly important to you when it comes to your work?

Gizem: For me, working in sales network management for an insurance company doesn’t mean selling insurance. To me, my job is to give my customers security so they can live a life without worry.

What does your average day at Generali look like and what is your recipe for success?

Gizem: What makes my job so interesting is that every day and every customer appointment is different. My recipe for success is that I approach every person as an individual and pay attention to their needs. I listen and allow plenty of time for my appointments. For me, what matters most is that I can offer every customer optimal insurance coverage.

It is also very important to me to properly prepare for every customer appointment. And I can count on a wide range of support tools from Generali to help me do that. I am also happy to take initiative. For example, during the lockdown, I created a presentation so that I could offer my customers the best possible advice.

At the end of the day, a good work-life balance is key. It is nice to come home from work at the end of the day and enjoy time with my family.

There are still very few women working in sales network management. Why is that?

Gizem: I think the reasons for that are societal. For many years, sales network management was an industry dominated by men. Many people still see it that way. I see it as a call to all women. A call to think about what kind of jobs we would enjoy doing and to move away from traditional gender roles.

It is important for us to serve as role models for other women and encourage them to step into the world of insurance advice. I would certainly recommend doing so to every woman.

Do you feel you are treated differently day to day compared to your male colleagues?

Gizem: I have not noticed any difference in how I am treated in my day-to-day work. I do not feel that I am treated any different than my male colleagues, or that I have any advantages or disadvantages as a woman. I think that competence and enjoying your work as an advisor is much more important than gender when it comes to being successful at this job. I think that what makes me stand out is that I am very natural with people and that I have considerable in-depth knowledge.

Finally, let us look to the future for a moment: what are your goals?

Gizem: Next, I want to complete a professional development course to become a financial advisor and then ultimately a financial planner, so that I can offer my customers even more comprehensive advice. I have also set myself the ambitious goal of once again being a top advisor at the next “Generali Lions Club” awards ceremony – preferably in first place!

Every year, Generali honours its top 100 advisors at a gala dinner to celebrate their excellent achievements. The top 25 out of these top 100 receive extra special recognition in the form of a group trip abroad.