“I started my career working for British Telecom,” Andy Brunt, Global Sales Manager at Telavox recalls, his early days marked by a hands-on approach to technology.
It was a time of burgeoning possibilities, where the seeds of digital transformation were just being sown. “I then proceeded to spend a number of years working for contact centre and workforce optimisation companies,” he says, highlighting his focus on projects that would redefine the industry’s landscape.
The emergence of cloud communications in the UK marked a significant shift, and Brunt was at the forefront, witnessing the pivot from IP communications to a more dynamic, hosted hybrid model. “It got me back into telecommunications,” he notes, acknowledging the sector’s rapid evolution over the last decade.
Brunt’s unique blend of technical expertise and sales acumen has set him apart. Trained in IT at Oaklands College in the '90s, he found his niche not in the back-end intricacies of technology but in the art of sales—a rare crossover that has served him well. “It’s quite a unique journey when you have a technical background and then you move into the sales space,” he reflects.
This duality has been a cornerstone of his success, allowing him to engage with customers and C-suite executives on both a technical and commercial level. “Having a good understanding of the technology and how it worked puts you in an advantageous position,” Brunt asserts.
Andy Brunt’s Ascent in Telavox
For Andy, the path to sales mastery was not paved with conventional milestones. His career trajectory took a detour from the technical realm to the unpredictable world of sales—a transition that was as challenging as it was rewarding.
Reflecting on his early days, Brunt shares, “I didn’t start with a sales/business background, so I started at the bottom from a sales career perspective.” His first foray into sales was a grassroots experience, selling alarm systems door-to-door for 85 Security.
The shift from technical expertise to sales was not a straightforward one for Brunt. “It was difficult for me to get a sales position,” he admits. To bridge the gap, Brunt stepped outside his comfort zone, taking a sales role in an entirely different industry. It was a move that paid off, providing him with invaluable core sales training and experience that would later bolster his return to the telecoms sector.
Brunt’s philosophy on sales extends beyond mere technical knowledge or product familiarity. “A good salesperson doesn’t necessarily need to have the technical understanding or the knowledge of the product,” he asserts. Instead, he places a premium on the right attitude, drive, and enthusiasm—qualities he deems essential and irreplaceable. “You can teach them the skills but the attitude can’t be taught,” Brunt emphasises.
This belief has guided his approach to hiring and team-building throughout his career. For Brunt, the ideal candidate possesses a strong moral and ethical compass, committed to doing things the right way. These core values are what he looks for in his colleagues and are the standards he sets for himself.
Leadership Through the Lens of Andy Brunt
Andy has witnessed a spectrum of leadership styles. His experience has allowed him to distil the essence of effective leadership, shaping his own approach to guiding his team.
Brunt’s leadership philosophy is a tapestry woven from the best practices he has observed. “I’ve always liked to take the best bits from each of those leaders that I’ve worked with and blend that in with my own unique style,” he explains. He has seen leaders who are fixated on numbers and lack regard for their staff, creating a challenging environment that fails to harness the full potential of the team.
Contrastingly, Brunt’s tenure at Virgin Business Solutions offered a glimpse into a people-centric approach. “At the core of everything that Virgin did was the staff,” he recalls. This experience reinforced his belief in valuing individuals over roles and aligning personal values with the team’s ethos.
For Brunt, leadership is not about wielding power but fostering a culture of respect, dignity, and encouragement. He believes in nurturing personal relationships within professional boundaries, striking a balance that respects individuality while maintaining a cohesive team dynamic. “You still have to respect that professional boundary, but if you treat people with dignity and respect that’s always going to be the way to get the best out of them,” Brunt asserts.
Crafting a Legacy in Telecoms
As Andy reflects on his tenure at Telavox, it’s evident that his mid-career move to the company was more than just a job change; it was a strategic decision to align with a firm that shared his values and vision.
Brunt’s journey with Telavox began just as he relocated to the Isle of Wight, a transition that coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This period marked a pivotal point in his life, prompting him to seek a company that not only led the market but also cared deeply for its staff and delivered quality products. “I was fortunate to find my role at Telavox,” Brunt shares, emphasising the company’s focus on staff and quality as key factors that drew him in.
Under Brunt’s leadership, the wholesale department at Telavox has flourished from non-existence to becoming the company’s strategic spearhead in Europe. “We’ve built this from the ground up,” Brunt states with pride, highlighting the expansion into 11 countries and partnership with 25 wholesalers as significant milestones. His vision doesn’t stop there; Brunt is determined to see Telavox’s growth on a global scale, aiming to establish the brand as a household name worldwide.
The technological evolution of Telavox’s platform is another aspect Brunt finds exhilarating. From a UCaaS platform to an upcoming Omni channel platform, he has been at the forefront of innovation, steering the company’s direction with a clear vision and a hands-on approach. “We’re at the tip of the spear, at the cutting edge,” he says, acknowledging the dedicated team of developers who keep the platform current and competitive.
All things considered, Blunt’s legacy and the continuing success of Telavox are deeply intertwined. With aligned values and a vision for growth, it’s a story that will continue to evolve.
