Amir, Arbnor – you've both risen from customer advisor to sales manager. How did it come about?

Amir: "My career at Helvetia began in 2017 at the Lake Zurich general agency in Horgen, where I trained new employees – and I realized that the job of sales manager could be an exciting option for me. Helvetia gave me the opportunity: I've been the sales manager of a team of six at the Rapperswil general agency since October 2021."

Arbnor: "Amir's career was my inspiration. After my training I worked in sales at a retail and wholesale company. Amir was already working as a customer advisor by then. His stories about the varied tasks fascinated me. I decided to take the plunge and apply to Helvetia as well. And it worked: after just under four years as a customer advisor at the Lake Zurich General Agency in Horgen, I was made sales manager with a six-person team on 1 January 2023."

You both became sales managers – are you happy with this decision? What is special about Helvetia?

Amir: "When the opportunity arose, I didn't hesitate – I applied directly for the sales manager position. Today I'm absolutely happy with this decision. It makes me proud to be able to pass on the experience I've gained. I'm very grateful to Helvetia – and also to my supervisor, Pascal Diethelm. We have the opportunity here to develop and achieve great things. Helvetia has many employees who do their job with passion – and our customers sense that.

Arbnor: "The promotion to sales manager was also the biggest step in my professional career so far. Young employees have to prove themselves first, of course. Amir and I were able to convince our managers and Helvetia that we were the right people for the job. I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank André Albisser, General Agent at the Lake Zurich General Agency in Horgen. I've been given the opportunity to take on more responsibility, and now I want to give something back. That's my goal."

What fascinates you about your job?

Arbnor: "In our job we make decisions that drive not only us, but also our customers. We're very free to organize our activities however we like – and in addition we have the opportunity to pass on our knowledge and our passion to others. For me, leadership means being a role model and exemplifying values. That motivates me every day."

Amir: "I agree with Arbnor. I consider the relationship with the staff to be just as important as the relationship with the customers. For me, the development of my customer advisors is therefore a top priority. I can count on a young, dynamic and target-oriented team with an average age of 30, who all dedicate themselves to Helvetia and our customers. That makes me proud.

With your brother in the same company – what are the advantages?

Arbnor: "Amir and I have the same friends, and we both work at the same insurance company – two years ago it was even the same agency. We shared an office, and we always motivated and supported each other. At the same time we could also give each other honest feedback and criticize each other openly."

Amir: "I'm convinced that this has brought us to where we are today. We were also driven by competition, of course – in the form of a monthly challenge. But in my opinion that's also one reason why we've developed into successful customer advisors in so short a time."

Are there disadvantages too?

Arbnor: "Amir and I grew up together, and we're members of the same network. Since I joined as an account manager two years after my brother, I knew that our friends were already insured with him. Amir had a clear advantage there. But I was always aware that if you enjoy dialogue and dealing with people, you'll soon build up your own network. So it's all the nicer today to see that we both manage a valuable customer base."

Amir: "We also talk about work in our free time – it's not always easy to switch off. But the pluses outweigh the minuses.

What advice can you give to people who also want to become sales managers?

Arbnor: "It's important to always keep your objective in mind, to fight for your dream. To face the future with courage and simply give the assessment a try. Anyone who has worked in the service industry and wants to make a new start in their career can also try the Helvetia customer advisor game. It soon tells you whether advising customers is a job that suits you.

Amir: "Exactly. If you want to become a sales manager, you should be determined, hard-working and team-oriented. You need an inner fire to develop relationships. My experience: set your sights high, that spurs you on! The question is always: are you ready to go the extra mile?”