This feature is a question-and-answer session with a new Blount County Chamber member. So, here we go with our 187th installment visiting with Franck Gillard, SAE with Sharp Business Systems of TN which is the direct sales division of Sharp’s B2B business in the U.S.

Tell me more about SBS. I am in this business simply because my passion is to help others! Sales is not about equipment or services; It is all about end-users satisfaction and, if I can lower the cost of operations along with it, then even better. My only goal is to better the businesses and lives of my customers through state of the art technology and Christian beliefs.

What else does SBS do? Our Simply Smarter technology portfolio makes us a one-stop shop for interactive & commercial displays, security-first laptops, multifunction copier and printer solutions, VoIP phone systems, Document Management Solutions and IT services.

How did you get started? My IT journey began more than 25 years ago. Even with four French degrees in accounting and finance, they didn’t help me much when I first came to the US so I decided to study IT. Since then, I have held all positions from doing it (Network Admin/MCSE), teaching it, managing it (Director of MIS/IT) and now selling it by helping organizations with their IT challenges.

Who is your mentor? Mom & Dad! I have watched my parents do what’s right all of their life, no matter the costs to them. They thought me that if you focus in helping others, everything in life falls in place.

Describe your customers. My current customers range from the small mom-and-pop shop who needs help with all aspects of their technology, to a large local organization (5000+ employees) who only need a fleet of copiers, commercial displays or laptops.

Name three things you wish you knew when you started. 1) The importance of listening skills 2) How to say “no” in business 3) Successful communication is the responsibility of the communicator not the communicatee

What do you enjoy about the business? Some of my best friends are clients and coworkers. Also, Sharp is very focused on us taking the time for what’s important outside of work. I like that!

One of my favorite quotes: “Sometimes when you’re in a dark place you think you’ve been buried, but you’ve actually been planted.” — Christine Caine