Welcome to a recent installment of The Faces of KION NA, where we are excited to sit down with Sharon Benzenberg, the Sales Growth Specialist at KION North America. Sharon is a dynamic force in driving growth and optimizing sales performance, collaborating with various teams to lead innovative projects within our organization. Despite the challenges of working in a male-dominated industry, Sharon’s resilience and confidence have paved the way for her success. 

Join us as we delve into Sharon’s journey, her recent achievements, and her insights on leadership and innovation. Find out how she navigates challenges, drives meaningful change, and what motivates her to succeed.

The materials handling industry is a male-dominated field - have you ever faced any particular challenges in your job because of this? Do you have any advice for other women wishing to work in this field? 

Working in any male-dominated industry comes with its challenges, but I’ve found that building strong relationships, demonstrating confidence, and showing consistent results have helped me overcome any obstacles. There have been moments where I had to assert my ideas more firmly to ensure they were heard, but these situations have taught me resilience and the importance of preparation.

For women wishing to work in this field, my advice is to be unapologetically curious and confident. Seek out mentors, stay adaptable, and don’t hesitate to advocate for your ideas. Your perspective is valuable and can bring fresh solutions to the table. Trust your skills and remember that diversity drives innovation.

What is a recent highlight from your work that you would like to share?  For instance, a challenge you have overcome, a team effort, an innovation, or a new approach to solving a problem? 

A recent highlight has been the remarkable progress we’ve made with Project Stock Truck in a short amount of time. This initiative has transformed how we sell inventory through both our dealer network and eCommerce platforms. By combining the strengths of internal teamwork and cross-department collaboration, we’ve developed innovative strategies to empower dealers and enhance inventory management.

Our internal teams worked tirelessly to streamline processes, analyze data, and design solutions that optimize sales channels. This collaboration, paired with the introduction of eCommerce tools, has enabled faster inventory turnover, reduced lead times, and improved customer satisfaction. It’s been incredible to see how our collective effort has driven meaningful change and set a new standard for supporting our dealer network and customers alike.

 

Is there anything else you want to add or a quote you would like to share?

One of my guiding principles is, "Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out." This reminds me that consistency and persistence are critical in achieving long-term goals. I’m also incredibly proud to work in a field where innovation meets problem-solving and to contribute to a company like KION NA that values growth and collaboration.