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Bryanna, Channel Sales Manager & Sr. Business Development at Ambient.ai: Advize Career Interview

A career journey starting in biochemistry and public health led to unexpected success in sales, showcasing adaptability and a knack for discovering passions.

The path includes roles at Equinox and Macy's, medical sales, and a pivot into the exciting world of AI-focused tech, culminating in a dual role at Ambient.ai as Channel Sales Manager & Sr. Business Development professional.

This position combines direct sales with channel development, demanding strong people skills, communication, and organizational abilities. The work is dynamic, involving collaborations, executive outreach, and even team yoga!

The physical security AI industry offers a chance to work with forward-thinking individuals, making a real difference. Success in this field requires grit, self-motivation, and a love of challenges.

Mentorship is crucial, especially given the significant autonomy. Entry-level positions, such as business development or sales development representative roles, offer valuable experience.

Building a strong network and cultivating relationships with management are key lessons learned, particularly in navigating a male-dominated industry where seeking companies with strong female representation is vital for mentorship and advancement.

The interviewee's journey provides invaluable insights into forging a fulfilling and successful career in tech sales.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Bryanna Comilang

Channel Sales Manager & Sr. Business Development

Ambient.ai

University of Arizona, 2016

n/a

Biology & Related Sciences

Technology

Sales and Client Management

Scholarship Recipient, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member

Watch all of this Advizer's videos below

Career Path of a Channel Sales Manager and Senior Business Development at Ambient AI

Bryanna's career path is a testament to adapting to discovered interests; starting with biochemistry and public health studies, a journey into sales began with roles at Equinox and Macy's, leading to medical sales with In Fab and then a pivot into the AI-focused tech space with Vaca and currently Ambient.ai, highlighting a successful transition from "I quickly learned you can't just enter medical sales" to a thriving career in a related field.

Career Path of a Channel Sales Manager and Senior Business Development at Ambient AI

Main Responsibilities of a Channel Sales Manager and Business Development at Ambient.ai

Bryanna's role at Ambient.ai combines "senior business development for the central US" with "West Coast Channel manager," requiring outbound sales to the global 2000 in physical security, cross-functional collaboration, and building "our channel program" through new partnerships. This dual role showcases a career encompassing both direct sales and channel development expertise.

Main Responsibilities of a Channel Sales Manager and Business Development at Ambient.ai

A Day In The Life Of A Channel Sales Manager And Senior Business Development At Ambient.ai

Bryanna's day as a Channel Sales Manager & Sr. Business Development professional at Ambient.ai begins with "housekeeping," followed by meetings with the marketing team for executive outreach and prospect calls. The day also includes unique activities like sending gifts via a platform and a team yoga session, showcasing a dynamic and engaging work environment that blends business development with relationship building and team bonding.

A Day In The Life Of A Channel Sales Manager And Senior Business Development At Ambient.ai

Most Important Skills For A Channel Sales And Business Development At Ambient AI

Bryanna, a Channel Sales Manager & Sr. Business Development professional at Ambient.ai, emphasizes three crucial skills: "people skills," including rapport-building and persuasive communication; strong internal and external communication; and exceptional organizational abilities to effectively manage the autonomy and business development inherent in sales roles. The importance of building "your own book of business" highlights the independent nature of the position.

Most Important Skills For A Channel Sales And Business Development At Ambient AI

Favorite Parts Of Being A Channel Sales Manager And Business Development At Ambient.ai

Bryanna's enjoyment stems from a supportive team and management ("who you work with really affects your day-to-day"), fostering a positive work environment and allowing her to find "a deeper purpose" in Ambient.ai's AI-driven technology, which aligns with their belief in the future of AI in physical security.

Favorite Parts Of Being A Channel Sales Manager And Business Development At Ambient.ai

Biggest Challenges Faced by a Sales and Business Development Manager at Ambient.ai

Bryanna's biggest challenge as a Channel Sales Manager & Sr. Business Development professional at Ambient.ai is maintaining "consistency and grit," requiring significant self-motivation—a crucial skill after five years in sales. This highlights the demanding nature of the role and the need for persistent drive in a dynamic organizational environment.

Biggest Challenges Faced by a Sales and Business Development Manager at Ambient.ai

Favorite Parts of Working in Security AI as a Channel Sales Manager

Bryanna, a Channel Sales Manager & Sr. Business Development professional at Ambient.ai, finds the most rewarding aspect of the physical security AI industry to be collaborating with "forward thinking individuals" who are "proactive and prevent security incidences from happening," ultimately helping people and companies. This proactive approach to security, and the innovative spirit of the industry, are key aspects of what Bryanna enjoys most about her career.

Favorite Parts of Working in Security AI as a Channel Sales Manager

What Type Of Person Thrives In Sales, According To A Channel Sales Manager At Ambient.ai

Bryanna, a Channel Sales Manager & Sr. Business Development professional, highlights that success in sales requires "grit, self-motivation," a love of challenges and people, and strong persuasive skills. A common trait among successful sales professionals, according to Bryanna, is a strong drive and competitiveness, often exemplified by "ex-athletes" and those who are "very money driven".

What Type Of Person Thrives In Sales, According To A Channel Sales Manager At Ambient.ai

What a Channel Sales Manager at Ambient.ai Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the AI Industry

Bryanna, a Channel Sales Manager & Sr. Business Development professional at Ambient.ai, emphasizes the significant "autonomy" in the role, advising aspiring professionals to seek mentorship to effectively structure their workday and navigate the considerable independence. This guidance, gleaned from experience, highlights the importance of establishing strong relationships for success within the industry.

What a Channel Sales Manager at Ambient.ai Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the AI Industry

Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Business Development Representatives

Bryanna, a Channel Sales Manager & Sr. Business Development professional at Ambient.ai, suggests entry-level roles such as "business development rep, a sales development rep, or a marketing development rep," characterized by "outbound calling" and supporting senior sales staff in "account mapping." These roles provide valuable experience in the field for undergraduate students.

Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Business Development Representatives

Significant Career Lesson From a Channel Sales Manager at Ambient.ai

Bryanna's significant career lesson centers on cultivating "a great relationship with your manager," emphasizing effective communication and mutual respect, which extends to interactions with upper management as well. This strong emphasis on positive working relationships highlights the importance of interpersonal skills in career advancement.

Significant Career Lesson From a Channel Sales Manager at Ambient.ai

College Experiences That Helped a Sales and Business Development Manager at Ambient.ai Succeed

Bryanna's success stemmed from building "a pretty strong network" through various avenues in undergrad, a strategy that continues to benefit their career. College is a time to "explore, um, figure out what you like, especially what you don't like," leading to a more informed career path.

College Experiences That Helped a Sales and Business Development Manager at Ambient.ai Succeed

How Identity Has Influenced A Senior Channel Sales And Business Development Manager's Career At Ambient.ai

In a male-dominated tech sales industry, the interviewee's career path highlights the scarcity of women, describing experiences as "a team of one female and a team of 13 males," and "one of two females on a team of 20." The advice offered emphasizes the importance of seeking out companies with female representation at all levels for mentorship and career advancement, stating, "make sure there are females in management…so you have people to not only look to, um, you have internal champions."

How Identity Has Influenced A Senior Channel Sales And Business Development Manager's Career At Ambient.ai
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