Amanda Downs sits down with Matthew Huffer, UK Market Director at Taylors of Harrogate, to talk about the dynamic world of sales leadership. Their conversation covers the challenges new sales leaders face, such as transitioning from manager to leader, and the importance of empowering team members to achieve results in their own unique ways. Matthew reflects on his 13-year journey at Taylors of Harrogate, where he has played a pivotal role in expanding the Yorkshire Tea brand to a commanding 40% of the UK market. As the newly appointed UK Market Director, he's spearheading efforts to integrate sales and marketing, nurture internal talent, and foster a culture that values genuine self-expression and continuous feedback. With invaluable insights on recruitment, leadership behaviour, and team cohesion, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiring stories. So, tune in as we explore the secrets of thriving in a sales leadership role and creating an environment where both businesses and individuals can flourish.
Here are the Highlights:
01:28 Matthew Huffer's journey in sales leadership.
11:01 Transitioning to leadership: coaching, guiding, protecting.
16:40 Consciously managing and empowering team roles.
21:26 Encouraging movement between functions for career growth.
24:39 Encouraging internal recruitment and skill development.
28:48 Disagreements stem from issues, not personal feelings.
30:53 Filter pressure from above and exhibit pride to teams.
33:24 Technical skills can be coached, but behaviour matters.
Join us each month between September and January for the Uspire webinar series Build Your Commercial Leadership” and get valuable leadership frameworks and techniques to help you lead your team to sustainable revenue growth. Register here https://theuspiregroup.com/uspire-events/uspire-discover-build-your-commercial-leadership/
About Mathew Huffer
Matthew loves the grocery industry and has been happily working in it for 33 years. He’s gathered plenty of commercial experience along the way (mostly good!) and enjoys sharing his enthusiasm with others.
His career to date has seen him progress from graduate trainee (car selling lager in South-East London) to UK Market Director over a career spanning 33 years and 8 companies (namely Taylors of Harrogate, Baxters, Young's Seafood, Nestle, Burtons Foods, United Biscuits, RHM & Carlsberg).
With a blue chip background & fantastic experience, he has succeeded where cultural fit rewards time spent considering how to meet the needs of consumers and customers, and most of all building great (& fun) commercial teams.
About Amanda Downs
Amanda Downs is Uspire's Director of Commercial Leadership and a commercial training and coaching expert. She has worked extensively in Europe, EMEA, the US, and Asia and is an accredited Insights Discovery practitioner.
She produces the popular Sales Growth Expert blog and is currently writing her first sales leadership book.
Connect with Amanda:
Website: theuspiregroup.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandadowns2/
About The Uspire Partnership
Uspire challenge, energise and upskill leaders to set the stage for business transformation and commercial success. Members of the Uspire team are all industry professionals and have first-hand experience of the commercial challenges you face. We develop leadership skills and commercial capabilities; delivering profitable growth and a sustainable legacy of change.
Connect with Uspire:
Website: theuspiregroup.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uspire-ltd/
Produced by Winter Audio.
