A CEO Without Filter Who Gets Straight to the Point
Harold Gardas, Co-Founder and CEO of Groupe KÖM, embodies the very essence of the pragmatic salesperson. His direct and straightforward answers reveal an entrepreneur who has kept his feet on the ground despite his leadership responsibilities.
"What I Love About Sales is Closing"
Right from the start, Harold reveals what drives him: the act of concluding. This response perfectly synthesizes the mentality of an authentic salesperson who finds satisfaction in the concrete result of their work.
His Spontaneous Vision of the Profession
The Instinctive Approach
"So there, we don't think too much, we don't elaborate at all. Spontaneous, boom. There we go direct"
Harold advocates an instinctive approach to sales, favoring reactivity and authenticity over over-preparation. This philosophy reveals an entrepreneur who trusts his experience.
His Perception of the Sales Sector
Today's Salespeople Are "Magical"
"Salespeople today are... Magical"
Despite the profession's challenges, Harold expresses sincere optimism about the sales profession, probably recognizing the evolution and adaptation of sector talent.
The Reality of Prospecting
"I have to admit that prospecting... Is really a pain in the ass"
With his usual frankness, he doesn't sugarcoat the difficulty of this fundamental commercial activity, while acknowledging it's still "not bad" necessary.
His Management Philosophy
The Manager-Machine
"A good manager is... A machine"
This metaphor reveals his vision of efficient and flawless management, probably based on regularity, reliability, and constant performance.
His Convictions About Motivation
The Impossibility of Salespeople Without Variables
"A salesperson without variable pay is... Impossible"
Harold expresses a firm position on the importance of variable compensation, considering it an inseparable element of sales identity.
His Vision of the Company
Humans at the Center
"A great company is... People"
Despite his stated pragmatism, Harold reveals a humanistic vision of the company, placing collaborators at the heart of organizational success.
His Relationship with Technology
AI as Complement
"AI will certainly... Complete us"
He adopts a balanced position toward artificial intelligence, seeing it as an assistance tool rather than a replacement threat.
His Failure Management
A Direct Approach
"Unachieved objectives mean... A failure"
Harold doesn't look for excuses: for him, not reaching objectives simply constitutes failure. This uncompromising approach reveals a demanding entrepreneur.
The Search for Perfection
"I like when... Everything is square"
He finds satisfaction in order and mastery, revealing a strong organizational temperament.
His Observations on Sector Practices
A Nuanced Critique
"Companies that bitch about competitors are... Geniuses. Everyone bitches about everyone, you have to own it"
Harold shows cynical but assumed realism about competitive practices, accepting this reality as an integral part of the business game.
"Ghosters": Intolerable
"Ghosters are... Merciless"
He expresses his frustration with these disappearing prospects, using a term that reveals the emotional impact of this practice.
His Daily Challenges
Administration, the Plague
"Filling my CRM is... Very annoying"
"A salesperson's biggest pain is... Admin"
Harold points to one of the profession's recurring ills: time lost on administrative tasks that take away from pure sales activity.
The Importance of Notes Despite Everything
"Taking notes in meetings is... Essential"
Despite his reluctance for administrative work, he recognizes the paramount importance of documenting commercial exchanges.
His Definition of Commercial Success
Generate Inbound Massively
"A salesperson's climax is... Generate inbound abundantly"
For Harold, ultimate accomplishment lies in the ability to create an incoming flow of prospects, revealing modern understanding of commercial marketing.
An Authentic and Direct Personality
Harold Gardas stands out for his ability to say things as he thinks them, without filter or excessive diplomacy. This authenticity, rare in the leadership milieu, makes him a valuable testimony on commercial field realities.
Conclusion
Through his straightforward answers, Harold Gardas paints the portrait of an entrepreneur who has never lost contact with sales operational realities. His pragmatism, frankness, and focus on concrete results make him a model for salespeople seeking to combine performance and authenticity. In a sector sometimes too theoretical, he reminds us that sales remains above all a question of execution and tangible results.