Building Smiles: Business Development Manager, Lijo Jose
Please tell us a bit about yourself.
I am Lijo – Lovable, Innocent, Joyful, the Only One; that’s what I believe myself to be. My parents are from Southern India, but I was born in Northern India and did my MBA from Western India. I moved to the Middle East in 2010 and started my career with Electronics retail as a Category Purchase Manager. In 2017, I was introduced to the world of contracting and got associated with Life Floor. This was the most unusual and interesting job as it was the first time, I saw big, smiling happy faces of kids and learned that smile is the best Incentive for a Sales professional.
My wife Sheetal is an HR professional & we have a child named Johan & he is 1.5 years old. I love travelling & enjoy volleyball.
What do you do at WhiteWater?
I am the Business Development Manager – Middle East & India at WhiteWater. In my current role I am responsible for Business Development of Interactive Play & After sales in MEI region.
What is the best career lesson you’ve learned so far?
Risk is different from hazard. The first is essential for thrill but it is our job as an aquatic area specialist to eradicate the second.
How do you think your background at Life Floor will help you succeed at WhiteWater?
Life Floor is the best aquatic flooring product and the only product with NSF/ANSI-50 safety standard. Moving to WhiteWater, the best water park equipment manufacturer, I take the knowledge of safety and knowing how to quickly communicate the benefits to Water Park, Hotel & Resort Owners, Consultants, and Architects so they don’t have to invest much time in searching for the right product.
What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?
I love selling and interacting with people. I am a firm believer that development of human resource is important to shape a better company, country and world so if I wasn’t in Sales, I probably would want to be a trainer.
Best vacation spot you’ve been to?
I am currently staying in one. I think UAE is a great vacation spot with an excellent mix of modern amenities, nature, and things to do.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
I love sports cars so I would buy a Ferrari.
If you could snap your fingers and become an expert in something, what would it be?
It would be humility. With age and experience I want to be proud of my accomplishments but also ensure that I wouldn’t be consumed by pride to think less of others. I never want to lose the quality of being humble.
What’s on your bucket list?
Covid-19 has taught me few lessons, but the most important one is ensuring that I visit all my dear ones. So, my new bucket list is full of trips to people close to me.
What are some of your hobbies outside of work?
I love playing volleyball but for now my hobby is to spend time with my son and explore his likings.
