In our latest interview, we speak with TJ Beier, the Regional Sales Manager for the Great Lakes region. Join us as we look into TJ’s experiences, motivations, and insights into the IT sector. This interview offers insight into his everyday responsibilities, noteworthy moments at Xalient, and thoughts on our distinct work culture. Read on to learn more.
What is your current role at Xalient and how long have you been part of the Xalient family?
Regional Sales Manager – Great Lakes. This is my 7th month.
What motivated you to join Xalient?
A new challenge to be an agnostic partner to Enterprise customers. Someone I trust, who happens to be a partner of Xalient, told me “You can’t pronounce their name, but we know them well – you’re being offered a seat on a rocket ship, up to you if you want to get on it.”
How does Xalient align with your career goals and values?
Perfectly. Every company has their core values and mission statements, but in my time here, I’ve seen it in action firsthand. Customer first and deliver excellence. We learn their goals and understand the business drivers and challenges before recommending any solution.
Describe a typical day in your role?
5 AM to the gym. Then each day is a little different, but the goal is the same – get the Xalient name and what we do out to the Great Lakes region and abroad. We have regular Partner events, lunch’s & dinners, meetings with customers, setting up engagements for assessments, demos and PoC’s – and reaching out to IT leaders. Each day I block out time to make new connections. Then every day around 5 PM, I’m driving my daughter to soccer practice.
What do you enjoy most about working at Xalient? Can you share a memorable or rewarding experience during your time here?
The commitment from everyone is truly remarkable, starting at the top. After only a few months in my role and working on an opportunity, 2 of our executive leaders offered to come to a client dinner while they were in the states – and help add a personal touch. I’ve worked for companies where the CEO didn’t know your name or even respond to your email, and here I was, with the CEO & COO jumping in to help. That stood out then, and it still motivates me each day to get our story and capabilities out to the world.
How would you describe the team culture at Xalient?
Everyone goes above and beyond to help. We’re mostly remote workers and at a global company that means we all make sacrifices of our time and work non-traditional hours. We’re all rowing in the same boat, in the same direction, and even when it gets rocky, we stay the course.
What’s your favourite thing about the industry Xalient operates in?
We’re specialists and have the expertise across Identity, Networking & Security to make recommendations based on strategy & architecture, not specific products. Whereas the traditional players in the networking and security world typically have expertise in those individual silos. This ability makes conversations with customers more productive and positive.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career at Xalient?
Get over here! If you want to make an impact on an organization that’s trending up, this is the place. We help global companies solve some of their biggest challenges across – Identity, Networking, Security & Cloud Posture – and we need more great people to deliver on our mission.
Share an interesting fact about yourself that others might not know.
After quitting basketball and college, I spent my early 20’s traveling and playing poker. I learned more life lessons and even lessons for sales during that time, and I still reflect on them daily.
Is there something on your personal or professional bucket list?
I don’t really have a bucket list. Personally, I seek experiences, connections, knowledge, and freedom. Not one specific place or thing, but the ability to choose how and where I spend my time. I’m not there yet but working towards it every day.
Are you into any specific tech gadgets or innovations?
Oddly enough I’m not. I talk tech and innovations all day and normally look to disconnect when I’m not working. I do still have a PS5 and play the occasional game of FIFA online.
What’s the last book you read or movie/TV show you enjoyed?
Love audio books – Green Lights & Atomic Habits were great. For TV – don’t watch much, but just finished Succession – and it was the best show since Sopranos, in my opinion.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Göbeklitepe – in Turkey. Home of the oldest megaliths ever discovered. It argues a different timeline of human civilization in that region and provides evidence for the Younger Dryas impact theory.
What are your must-have apps for productivity or relaxation?
Spotify for podcasts and audio books, Hatch app and device for sleep, and whatever app my wife has us using for yoga and meditation.
What’s an item or possession you cherish the most?
I like to cherish experiences and memories. I could say my two Lionel Messi autographed jerseys. However, I’ll cherish seeing him play in person and having that experience with my family.
