We are blessed to be able to work with a number of great company reps, mostly men, but in recent times, we’ve noticed women starting to filter through our industry, which is fantastic! In our experience in building and renovating, we often find that it’s the woman of the family who will make the final call during the selection process so having the chance to deal with female reps can help create a more comfortable experience for our customers if they need assistance in their design choices.
We’ve recently started working with Emily from Reece, Norwood. Emily is an excellent rep for Reece, she is hard-working and nothing is ever too much trouble. She installs confidence in her customers and with her sunny disposition, you know each meeting will be fun! We sat down with Emily to give you a little more insight into Reece and her role:
Tell us a bit about your role with Reece?
I first started working for Reece in St Agnes where I was Sales Consultant for 2 years, I’m now situated at Reece Norwood as an Assistant Manager. Basically, I coordinate everything! From the selection process for customers and clients of our account holders, ordering, presentations, delivery scheduling, producing product packs, warranty presentations and more.
We work one on one with our account holders with each Reece girl here handling around 10-15 accounts so it certainly keeps us on our toes! We are essentially an extension of our client’s businesses, handling variation orders, dispatch, delivery and all the logistics that come with building & renovating bathrooms.
We even get asked selection advice from our customers so there’s a little bit of an interior design aspect to our jobs. All of our showroom displays are organised and designed in house so we’re not just suppliers, we offer 3D planning and our knowledge within the industry to all of our customers.
What made you want to join this industry?
I’m originally from Clare, so apart from wine making, for what I wanted to do, there wasn’t much growth. My job prior to Reece was actually in fashion design, I used to travel Australia selling clothes for businesses but I needed a change of pace and a change of industry so I moved to Adelaide and started working at Reece.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Definitely the customer service. I’m a big people personality, I could get a conversation out of a stone! So, meeting people from all walks of life with different stories keeps my job interesting, each day there is something new. You’d be surprised how many different questions I’ve been asked about taps!
I also love seeing the journey people go through with our products. From being on display in-store, to turning into a 3D image and finally, being the subtle touches that a bathroom needs, regardless of the style, is truly a delight to witness. We often get customers coming back in-store to thank us for helping them create a space where they can relax and wash away the day’s troubles.
What’s it like working in a male dominated industry?
Interesting to say the least! I guess, from the showroom, we don’t actually see as many plumbers as you might think. We predominantly work with builders at Norwood but I remember when I worked at St Agnes, we’d often get visits from plumbers who would always notice if I’d changed my hair or they’d ask me what colour I was thinking of getting at my next nail appointment! One of my favourite plumbers, who has since retired, got excited once when he noticed I had glitter on my nails. There’s a bit of a stigma related to trades, especially plumbers, so it was nice to see the softer side of that.
My partner is actually a plumber whom I met through Reece, and I often challenge him on his selection decisions with his customer’s. I can’t say I don’t enjoy being a part of the banter. It’s a huge benefit for our customers though, to receive that feminine point of view during their renovation journey, especially when most of the plumber’s we come across tend to go for practicality over look, which isn’t always a bad thing!
What are the biggest trends you’re seeing right now?
Black tap ware is a huge trend right now. We all thought it wouldn’t last but it seems to be hanging around which says something. Brushed gold is another colour that’s coming through lately with a lot of our customers opting for that vintage, country charm that brushed gold can bring.
Toilets are continually changing. Our biggest seller has been our range of clean flush toilets. We constantly get asked about the water usage on our sanitary ware so environmentally friendly products are very popular at the moment.
What trends can you see looking to the future?
Advanced technology being a huge part of bathrooms. We receive new products every 3 months and the technology that comes with some of our systems is impressive. The two big things we’re starting to notice are our smart flush toilet systems (automatic bidets) and thermostatic mixers which can control the heat and pressure of your water.
Bathrooms have changed dramatically over the years, they’re now more than just a place to have a shower and get ready for the day. They’re a luxurious space of tranquility and are becoming just as important as kitchens when it comes to selling. So, with the continued growth of technology, it’s going to be essential to have innovative aspects to your bathroom.
What could we catch you doing on your days off?
When I’m not at work, I’m just your everyday kind of girl. I love walking my dogs, entertaining and drinking wine (coming from Clare, I think that’s a given!). I currently live with my amazing other half and we often spend our dinner dates with friends helping them design and plan their bathroom renovations!
Well, the plumbing industry certainly must be interesting! We love seeing the wonderful talent women like Emily are bringing to our side of the construction industry. It truly is a pleasure knowing that our customers will be well looked after at Reece, Norwood. Thanks, Emily!