Lotta, inhouse sales at WFI: “I grew up with the saying customer focus constantly present”

Lotta Carlsson started her journey at WFI AB in October 2012, and soon to be ten years later she still thrives just as good at the office in Gnosjö. Over the years, she has changed work tasks internally and gone from being a buyer to becoming an inhouse salesperson with the customer in focus. Not entirely unfounded, given that her childhood was marked by the family-run grocery store that was inherited for several generations. Where Lotta herself stood as one of the owners for about ten years. Experience and competence that makes her a brilliant fit for the role she has today – and we are so happy to be able to celebrate ten-year anniversary together this year!

Background as a store owner
When Lotta grew up, her grandfather founded the grocery store Samuelssons in Gnosjö. A store that he built from a small scale to seven different stores in communities around Småland. The business went through generational change within the family, not just once but twice, and when Lotta took over with her brother and cousin, customer service was already deeply imprinted.

– We ran the business for several years and I did a little bit of everything to get the daily operations run smoothly, it included everything from customer contact and purchasing to personnel issues and extra shifts. Samuelssons has been with me my entire life since my grandfather laid the foundation, and it has been very important for me. Therefore, it was not an easy decision when we chose to sell, but as it grew and became a little too big, we felt ready to leave in some kind of way, Lotta begins.

Inhouse sales with great customer focus
After the end of the era with the store, Lotta worked at another company for about six years before stepping inside the doors at WFI. Initially, she was employed as a buyer, something that shifted in a growth phase when she switched roles with her colleague Fia (read more about that and Fia here!). Since then, she works as an inhouse salesperson, to some extent also an all-round role where she describes the variation as the most fun part.

– A normal working day is basically determined by the email flow, inbox, and incoming calls. In addition to that, I handle in- and outflows, order registration and order recognition, delivery check-ups, balance issues, and to some extent invoicing. I collaborate a lot with everyone, but especially with Irene. We both have worked here for such a long time that we know most of it, but when new things happen it is nice to be able to discuss with each other, Lotta says.

And what is at the top of the priority list every day is of course, the customer in focus.

– For me, the most important thing it to be able to solve problems and create the best outcome for the customer. It is something that has been with me since all the years in the store and that is also why I work with what I do still today! Lotta continues.

Closeness that contributes to forward thinking
Lotta goes on to say that there are two main reasons for why she has stayed at WFI for a full ten years. Partly that it is a company that looks ahead and has a driving force in creating development, partly that she still thrives with her colleagues at the office.

– We really are a nice bunch of people. For it to function with that kind of tight workflow we have inside these walls, it is necessary that you get along. We work with and for each other all the time. While we thrive very well together, we are also close enough to lift confusions and push each other to move forward. And that is what I appreciate most about this job, there is always something going on and new projects around the corner! Lotta concludes.

Three fast questions with Lotta!

What is your best memory from WFI so far?
– It is difficult to choose but something that stands out are our trips to Berlin and Barcelona, there is a lot of fun memories from there.

How would you describe WFI as a workplace?
– Summed up: a nice place with wonderful colleagues!

What do you prefer to do in your free time?
– Cooking, my grandchildren, and travel are things that lies close to the heart. One of my favourite dishes to cook is a boeuf bourguignon with a lot of good stuff in it and a glass of red wine, there are few things that can beat that. And on the travel front, Porto in Portugal is my next dream destination. I would love to go there to discover, drink port wine and eat cheese!