Gear Solutions welcomes its newest sales representative to its staff, Ben Keaten, and it is a bit of a reunion. He has returned to Media Solutions after three years to head the sales of Gear Solutions. While he was here previously, he was a sales representative with Gear Solutions’ sister publications, Thermal Processing and Wind Systems. He has 10 years of experience in sales and — as he did with our other magazines — promises to bring his unique style and acumen to making sure advertisers get the best possible exposure with readers.
What about the gear-manufacturing industry most excites you?
I would say the most exciting aspect of the gear-manufacturing industry is how crucial it is to the world. It is a constantly growing industry that has so many different sectors and roles — different innovations and impacts on just about everything nowadays.
How do you approach a potential client who you feel should be advertising in Gear Solutions?
I cannot give away all my secrets here, but I always start with an introductory call and explaining what we offer here at Gear Solutions — sort of as a need, not a want. As I mentioned earlier, it is a growing industry, and Gear Solutions can provide that exposure for our clients that they need to keep up with the growth and innovations in this industry.
What part of your sales background has most prepared you for interacting with the gear-manufacturing industry?
I was a liaison for a medical company for many years and that taught me how to interact and really gauge people’s interests and needs. I’m a people person, and I love to meet new people. In this industry, you have an opportunity to really interact with so many different people with different backgrounds, so I find that interesting and exciting.
As you learn more about the many aspects of gear manufacturing, what do you see as the No. 1 need when it comes to businesses sharing what they can do with the industry at large?
I would say meeting the demands of the customer. The industry is changing every year and keeping up with evolving designs and production but also integrating these needs requires investment. Gear Solutions can really help with an advertiser’s demands and needs by showcasing them to the public. I do see a lot of our clients showcasing that they offer those needs and machines and have those available. I also notice businesses showing they have experience and a good team of engineers. There seems to be no lack of varied skillsets in this industry.
What parts of Gear Solutions do you feel have most surprised you about the gear-manufacturing industry, and why?
The most surprising parts about what Gear Solutions is teaching me is the process of gear manufacturing and the whole scope of it all. The gear-manufacturing industry is needed almost everywhere from aircraft, automobiles, robotics, and so on. The industry is always evolving every year, and it’s really exciting to see what could be introduced in the next year or even in the next few months.
What brought you back to Media Solutions after a three-year absence?
What brought me back was the opportunity to focus on one magazine and take off with it and sort of call it my own. Gear Solutions has so much potential and growth available, especially in this industry. We are the only magazine that offers 12 issues a year in print and digital formats in this industry. The subscriber base is 98 percent requested. No one else can come close to those numbers. Most importantly, I love the camaraderie and the work environment here at Media Solutions. The work/life balance is wonderful, and we have a great team here that really cares about our clientele.
