Get to Know Vice President of Sales Mike McVeigh
Mike McVeigh joined Bishop-Wisecarver in 2006, just before the economy tanked and businesses all over the world had to rethink their business strategies. McVeigh's leadership and vision helped our company grow during the recession, and this forward-thinking attitude and strong work ethic earned him a promotion to Vice President of Sales in 2010. He currently manages both domestic and global sales for our linear and curvilinear motion technologies. We sat down with him recently to get the low-down on what makes him tick, what he likes about his job and what he's up to in his downtime when he's not focused on linear slides and ring guides. Got a few more questions for him? Email them to mikem@bwc.com.
Question: Tell us a about your background, your education, how long you’ve been with Bishop-Wisecarver and what you like most about being on the BWC team?
Answer: After graduating from the University of New York at Buffalo, I started my career as a bearing salesman calling on OEMs (original equipment manufacturer) and distributors. As my career progressed in the bearing industry, I became a Key Account Manager and eventually a District Sales Manager. Eventually, I found the world of linear motion and was a national sales manager and director of sales. Having joined BWC more than five years ago, my current position is VP of sales. The BWC team is intelligent, aggressive and extremely customer focused. We challenge each other which makes for a fantastic group dynamic.
Question: What do you like about sales?
Answer: I get to see all kinds of application types and meet some really brilliant people in design and manufacturing all over the United States.
Question: What do you enjoy most about working with engineers?
Answer: Engineers are truly creative people who can get you thinking outside the box.
Question: What challenges arise from selling a product based on features and benefits?
Answer: Developing a delivery style and method where the audience can see value in the features and benefits, and is not perceived as just another sales pitch. You've got to have passion for what it is you sell.
Question: What makes for a good selling relationship with a customer?
Answer: Honesty and timeliness. Do what you say you are going to do in the timeframe you said you were going to do it.
Question: If sales were a team sport, what would it be and why?
Answer: Football. It takes a number of team members to be successful. The team has a difficult time making an impact if all the players aren’t all working toward the same goal.
Question: Speaking of sports, what’s your favorite team or teams?
Answer: Living in Minnesota, where hockey is king, I root for the NHL’s Minnesota Wild but ...
Question: What do you like to do outside work?
Answer: I like to travel. I also like to read history books and biographies.
Question: What’s your favorite coffee beverage? Cream, no cream, sugar, no sugar?
Answer: Black coffee.
Question: Favorite quote?
Answer: "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.” ― John Lennon
