Pregnancy can bring with it an entire spectrum of emotions, day to day, hour to hour, and even minute to minute. 

As she enters her third trimester herself, Jamie Porter knows this well. She also knows that positivity is a great one to keep in her back pocket as she juggles her profession, her personal life, and pregnancy.
Perhaps no one is better suited for the three-part gig. Her wealth of office equipment, paired with her positive demeanor (both internally and out in the field), creates an unstoppable force. When the pressure’s hot, she’s as cool as a cucumber. When things seem dim, she shines brighter than ever.

“Our jobs can be stressful at times. It’s important to find the positive in everything and lean on your teammates and coworkers,” Jamie said. “Right now, time can move very slow with pregnancy, because you’re so anxious to meet your little kiddo. It’s helped me to focus on the work in front of me and helping people wherever I can.”

Proof of Positivity.

You need only attend a Friday sales meeting, or walk the halls of the DFW office to note this. Jamie is an open collaborator, an eager helping hand, and a bearer of positive vibes for both colleague and client.

“She has a genuine passion for the job. Whether it's helping train customers on new equipment (both her accounts and other reps' accounts) or helping a new hire better understand a certain process. She is always available and will help in any way she can,” said Area Sales Manager Matt Mundfrom.

No specific deal is “cookie-cutter,” and no solution to a client issue is “cut and dry.” But a positive, eager outlook creates a much cleaner path to resolution.

“I’m a huge believer in attitude. The way that you treat people reflects a lot about you as a person,” Jamie said. “Right now, we’re working on a large deal that has pulled a lot of heads together, and we’re having to be creative and flexible to help the customer out. I just think an openness to collaboration is one of the many things that can come out of a positive approach.”

Proof of Knowledge.

Jamie arrived at Datamax in 2015. After a year working in the clientCONNECT Center, she took on a role as an office equipment trainer. She was fascinated with the technology and immersed herself in learning more about the office equipment on the demo floor. The role was a natural fit.

“My nickname became the ‘shortcut queen’ because I would love to learn about a workflow headache a client may have,  and I could create a one-touch solution for them,” Jamie said.

Her knowledge of the equipment grew. Her confidence in speaking with clients expanded. Her eventual foray into sales was already teed up for success because of her vast knowledge of the equipment itself.

Proof of Experience.

There are dozens of available examples as to how her work as a trainer has assisted Jamie in sales. But here’s one: It was about a year ago. A Top 50 Prospect at the time, the City of Roanoke was sending out bids and Datamax was fortunate to land in the top 3. What came next was a demo of the equipment.
Jamie not only organized a pre-site survey before bringing equipment on site for the demo, she utilized her skills as a trainer and carefully orchestrated a training session with staff members so they could quickly and easily realize the benefits of going with Datamax.

That demo made the difference.

“I think my experience as a trainer made me really comfortable going out and meeting with people while learning things that they struggle with their current provider and coming up with a relevant solution. It also helps with answering questions on the pot without having to go back and check specs and brochures. I know it off the top of my head from knowing the equipment.”

As she and her husband anticipate the birth of their baby girl Ellie (due Oct. 28), Jamie will lean in on her colleagues for support. She’ll deal with all the emotions that come with motherhood and managing a professional career.

Throughout, her enduring positivity will be a powerful asset to keep in her back pocket.