Introducing: Patrick Tarek

Patrick has worked at Garden Connect as an account manager since December 2019. We’d like to introduce you to him in this blog!
 

Helping entrepreneurs to be more successful online

“I work as an account manager, and I always explain my work as helping entrepreneurs to be successful online. I sell Garden Connect services that match the interests and goals of our clients, and at the same time, I manage the quality of what we deliver. That means that I look at how we can solve problems when needed, and I’m the point of contact for questions from our clients. The biggest part of my work consists of listening to the client's wishes, and I translate this into technical solutions within our company.” 
 

Thrown in at the deep end

Before Patrick started working at Garden Connect, he had several jobs, such as marketeer for a Mexican takeaway chain and account manager for an affiliate marketing company. “When I started working at Garden Connect, I was thrown in at the deep end right away. Edwin was in Canada, so I didn’t speak much with him in the first weeks. I just started exploring all of our systems by myself by trying out each and every button. I accomplished a lot in the first year, and our clients were happy as well, so I got a lot of recognition from colleagues about this great start.”
 

The key to success

“Of course, a part of my role is to sell our services, but I don’t really feel like a salesperson. I try to ask the right questions, listen to our clients and translate that into what we can offer. I think that’s the key to success, and I’m still learning every day. For example, recently, I have followed a course in storytelling, so I can explain our services in a more practical way, and I can share more about what we can do for our clients. I often try new ways of explaining to our clients what they can do to be more successful and to meet their goals.” About his long-term goals, Patrick has the following to say: “I find it very important that our clients are and remain happy with what we do. Garden Connect has existed for 20 years, and some of our clients have been with us for 18 years. I’m striving to keep them with us, which means that we have to listen closely to our client’s wishes and that we grow along together.”
 

A young and dynamic company

Patrick’s first impression of Garden Connect was that it’s a young and dynamic company with a very informal atmosphere: “when I read the vacancy, I immediately thought it would be a company with a very friendly team. This was immediately confirmed when I first came to the office.” When it comes to plants, Patrick likes Alocasia Zebrina, as long as this one keeps on growing. “Besides that, I love ornamental grass such as pampass grass and ornamental ‘fountain grass’. The hydrangea is perhaps a bit standard to say, but I love this one in gardens as well.” The first thing Patrick asks himself after work is: what’s for dinner? Cooking is one of his hobbies, just like sports, going for dinner with friends, and lately padel has become one of his hobbies as well “Barry introduced this to our team, and I really want to do it more often!”