Recognizing Outstanding Women in Zyxel Sales for Women's History Month

March is Women's History Month. It is a celebration of women's achievements as leaders in their community and industry.

In honor of Women's History Month, Zyxel Communications celebrates two women who are experts in the industry and passionate about their careers. Frances Shen, Senior Account Director and Jennifer Mackey, Senior Sales Director have been with Zyxel for more than a decade. In this blog post, they share their thoughts on the meaning of success, words of advice for young people, and thoughts on this month's recognition of National Women's History Month.

Frances Shen

1. When did you start your Zyxel career? Describe your career trajectory.
I joined Zyxel in 2001 as a senior product manager for Central Office Products. After a few years, I switched my role from product management to sales and ever since, I've been working in sales and I absolutely love it.

2. What have you learned personally and professionally being a team member of Zyxel for more than a decade?
I learned that Zyxel is not just a company I work for …. it also means family to me.

3. What are your principles for achieving success?
For me, success is having a great relationship with your customers .... meaning building their trust in you, making them feel valued and treating them with great respect. I always have this professional philosophy, "Always think from customers' point of view". When your customers are happy then you feel satisfied and happy. And that not only reflects on you but your company as well.

4. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
As a product manager - Think of yourself a CEO of your product lines.
As a salesperson - Be yourself.

5. If you could provide a few words of advice and encouragement to new graduates or starting their career in sales what would you say?
Treat every opportunity as the only opportunity and give it your best shot.

6. What are your thoughts on this month's recognition of National Women's History Month?
We are now living in the age where women are entrepreneurs, leaders, CEO's and philanthropists and it's great to recognize women in all aspects of the industry.

Jenniffer Mackey

1. When did you start your Zyxel career? Describe your career trajectory.
I started in marketing. Since I love building relationships with customers and forming sales strategies, I switched to sales and since then never looked back. I love what I do, so it's not really a job for me.

2. What have you learned personally and professionally being a team member of Zyxel for more than a decade?
Zyxel provides employees with a safe and healthy working environment so we can be at our best for our customers.

3. What are your principles for achieving success?
Success for me is doing what you love. The key is getting up in the morning with enthusiasm and just start working.
The key to waking up with enthusiasm is to realize that you control your own life, and that excitement has to start within you.

4. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I've ever received is "Early is on time. On time is late. Late is unacceptable."

5. If you could provide a few words of advice and encouragement to new graduates or starting their career in sales what would you say?
Listen more; talk less. Listening is not hearing. Listening builds more trust and connecting with your customers.

6. What are your thoughts on this month's recognition of National Women's History Month?
Women's month is an opportunity to celebrate and reflect on women's achievements, as well as the challenges women face for the work still to be done.