What training, what diploma, what skills to hold the position?
Enter out of curiosity, then progress and evolve through experience
After a classic school curriculum, Pierre quickly enters the working life thanks to a diploma in car mechanics, with the ambition to work for beautiful Italian sports brands.
"Unfortunately, I realized that as a young graduate, it is difficult to get the trust of garages that market these brands. Logically..."
"I was offered a job at Mazura Marine in Boulogne Billancourt by the ANPE, the employment agency in the 1980s, and I must admit I was not keen to apply. Indeed, I felt I didn't have the capacity. I didn't know what a boat was. »
In this favourable environment and in a good time for motorboating, Pierre started by taking his boat licence, even before obtaining his car licence, discovered outboard marine engines and their specificities to learn marine mechanics thanks to the kindness of the workshop manager: education on the hard way when necessary, consolidated by outboard motorboat engine training which enabled him to climb the ladder and also to act as a boat-school instructor for the driving part.
"In 1986, I continued my career at Hall Méditerranée on the Ile de la Jatte in Neuilly, as a mechanic, then quickly took over responsibility for the workshop. I was thus able to try out the Zeppelin prototypes, which I liked because at the time the boss had bought back some patents from Paul Brot, a colourful character, who in his contact developed my passion for semi-rigid vehicles. »
"During this period, Hall Méditerranée lent the semi-rigid assistance to the 6 hours motorboat race in Paris, I must admit that I got a taste for seeing all these racing cars turning. »
"In order to get my feet on the stirrups even more, my bosses and respective managers asked me to participate in boat shows for the part I mastered best, i.e. the engines. So I started with the Paris boat show, then at the CNIT in La Défense. »
Pierre then gradually became a specialist in semi-rigid.
"In 1989, I joined Delattre Marine, the specialist in multi-brand RIBs, still as an expert mechanic with the task of drawing up estimates in the absence of the skipper, the beginning of my real commercial orientation, so I learnt how to look after customers. »
"When Delattre Marine ceased its activity, Zodiac called on me to test the sale of boats in the Parly 2 and Usine Center shopping centers in Vélizy. »
"In 1994, I returned to Mazura Marine to take charge of the Zodiac space, the first in France. An experience that lasted a year. »
"Water Sports in Grigny (91) hired me again as manager of the Zodiac boat/swimming pool division, a new and rather nice professional discovery. »
In 2000, when Pierre was planning to set up on the Mediterranean coast and put his relations to good use, Zodiac offered him a position as sales representative in charge of relations with part of the distribution network.
Logical choice for Pierre and Zodiac to replace the incumbent of a position left vacant.
The two parties know each other well, appreciate each other and the experience plays to the full. Pierre is sensitive to the fact that Zodiac is a French flagship of the semi-rigid.
Unfortunately, in 2015, Zodiac faces serious difficulties and separates from a large part of its staff, including Pierre, who rebounds by starting a cooperation with Lomac.
Knowledge of the market, of the customs and habits, of the product and above all multiple experiences in BtoB and BtoC, therefore immediately operational, are indeed the skills implemented today for the benefit of Lomac.
What daily life, what are the responsibilities of this profession?
Find answers to every question or problem
Running a distribution network, managing boat shows (assembly & disassembly), informing customers, supporting dealers, sending customers who contact Lomac directly, being present and finding answers to every question or problem are the first words mentioned, but also being present in the field and visiting the distribution network is a usual management of a distribution network.
"The commercial agent has to be multi-tasked, that is to say he has to manage my company administratively and check its good health on a daily basis, if I don't sell a boat, I don't get paid. »
In order not to spread himself too thin, Pierre has taken the option of working only for Lomac, which allows him to be always available.
What are the possible evolutions of this profession?
To make boating known to love and appreciate it
My career was born in the boat and I want it to end in the boat," says Pierre. Certainly the company will disappear when I retire. »
"When I am younger, I will try to diversify: distribute other brands of hulls, fittings, accessories, or leisure equipment. And why not hire a new employee and ensure the continuity of the activity and help people discover a beautiful and passionate profession. »
