Life as an Account Executive at KODE

Whether you’re starting your career journey or contemplating a change, Steven’s insights provide a firsthand look at what it takes to excel as an Account Executive.

First, tell us a little about your background?

Originally from Scotland, I left school to study Aeronautical Engineering with the goal of joining the military. Some people identify their career path early, but it took me longer to find my niche. I spent about seven years in the RAF as an Aircraft Engineer, gaining valuable experience but yearning for faster career progression. While in the military, I earned a degree in Engineering Management, which led me to the corporate world as an engineering manager.

However, my true passion was Real Estate and Sales. I transitioned to roles in real estate expansion, acquisition, and development, and later worked in Smart Building Technology at a global real estate firm. Despite finding my passion, I sought more control over my career pace. This led me to PropTech and eventually to KODE Labs, where I finally found the perfect fit.

Can you walk us through a typical day in your life as an Account Executive at KODE Labs?

It depends on your tenure and experience, but effective pipeline management and prioritization are key.  My day, one year in, looks like this:

The evening before, I list and prioritize the next day’s tasks. In the morning, I review these tasks, focusing on deals nearing closure, proposal deadlines, client follow-ups, pipeline robustness, and meeting preparations.

I ensure I have a clear plan for each meeting and understand what both I and the participants aim to achieve. Then, I meet with the internal BD team to review the previous day’s successes and challenges, outline our plans for the day, align our direction, and provide support where needed.

With this clear execution plan, we start the day ready to tackle priorities and manage any ad-hoc issues that arise.

Which skills or qualities do you believe have contributed most to your success as a sales professional?

I would say there’s 3 key attributes for me personally.

• Failure: As salespeople, we fail often, but the key is to keep pushing forward and believing in our eventual success and in ourselves.
• Personability: Trust is the top factor in buying decisions. While a good product and market fit are crucial, building relationships is essential for scaling success.
• Passion for Tech: Being passionate, interested, and constantly learning is vital for success. Clients need to see that you truly believe in what you are selling

Looking back on your career so far, what’s one piece of advice you wish you had received when you were just starting out?

A – I was going to say “start sales earlier,” but my varied career path has provided a solid foundation for success. Working in different client positions and sectors has given me unique insights and empathy, making me more relatable and trustworthy.

My advice: no relationship is a bad relationship.  Life and career take unexpected turns, and opportunities often come from unlikely sources.

We hope this helped you understand what it takes to succeed as an Account Executive and inspired you on your career path.

Excited to join KODE Labs? Whether you’re passionate about sales or interested in other roles, connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram. Visit our careers page to apply and share your story with us.