“What differentiates SaskTel Business from the competition is that our customers get access to our entire team. There is a business support line, our wireless team, in house sales associates & reps like me. It's all located right here in Saskatchewan,” said Goodman. “Our customers always have that local support, more than what I alone can give.”

Goodman has been with SaskTel since 2015, first as an external channel relations manager overseeing mobility stores. It was here he gained an understanding of authorized mobility dealers and the role they play in supporting SaskTel. Then he spent five years as an account rep on the corporate side, perfecting his solution-selling skill set and becoming more focused on customer solutions. He recently moved into his new role as an account executive in SMB and concentrates his time on finding solutions that will genuinely help his customers.

“I definitely think asking the right questions, getting to understand our customers and how they operate their business, and trying to identify the issues they have really helps with finding the right solution for them,” said Goodman, “whether that’s the right phone solution or how it’s configured with the right bandwidth, internet, and security, things like that.” Goodman believes asking the right questions first and foremost is key to understanding customers and ultimately building relationships.

“I like the relationship building side of things and getting to know our customers and the problems they face, and then finding solutions using our products and solutions for them,” said Goodman. “I enjoy providing a service to our customers. Anyone can sell someone something once, but it’s the service aspect that I enjoy as well, supporting our customers on a daily basis."

According to Goodman, many customers don’t realize the vast range of services provided by SaskTel. “We’ve evolved from being a traditional telephony-providing company with cell phones and desk phones,” he commented. “We’re a data centre provider, we’re fibre internet, we have dedicated internet, we have so many different products and services that we can offer.”

When asked why he liked working for SaskTel, Goodman’s thoughts immediately turned to community involvement. “I think the number was about $2.7 million that we gave back to the province last year,” said Goodman, “to nonprofits and community organizations. That’s something that sticks out to me outside of directly working with SaskTel. Our involvement within the communities makes an impact and everyone recognizes SaskTel as a leader within Saskatchewan, not only in telecom but what we give back to the province. That makes me proud to be here."

As praiseworthy as community involvement is, that’s not what pulls Goodman into the office every day. “I have a whole team that supports me and my customers” declared Goodman. “I have a great leader he is my director and a mentor of mine, Sheldon Allison. It's great knowing I’m coming into work with him and a collaborative team, a positive team. It’s a positive environment and we’re on the cutting edge of technology. It’s the people and the products we sell that makes me excited about coming to work."

If you’re interested in a telco that asks questions first, Russell Goodman or someone from his team will be happy to help. Please call 1-844-SaskTel to speak with a sales representative who can connect you.