Rock climbing is not for the faint of heart. Doing it blindfolded is not for the sane of mind. Kidding! Anna Grubb discovered it is a skill and gumption she possesses, and the Gananoque, Ontario, native believes it to be a metaphor for clear communications and listening. From it, she drew the notion that effective communications is not only about speaking clearly, but also listening intently, which has served her well in addressing challenges that have come her way.
These attributes have also enabled Grubb to thrive as vice president of global sales, field division for ECI Software Solutions. Priority one entails seeing her unit succeed. From achieving financial targets to developing innovative solutions, the daily triumphs serve as motivation and encouragement to scale even greater heights.
“I’m competitive by nature and love a challenge, so I thrive on removing barriers and prioritizing tasks to ensure we’re always heading forward,” said Grubb, a 2024 ENX Magazine Difference Maker. “Plus, being a mama bear drives me to create a supportive environment where everyone can excel.”
Transparency and empathy, Grubb believes, helps to set her apart. “I’m not afraid to own up to mistakes and find solutions, which builds trust with customers and colleagues alike,” she said. “At the same time, I’m not hesitant to push back when necessary, ensuring we do what’s right for our customers and for our business.”
Professional Morphing
She hardly seemed pre-ordained to cultivate a career in office technology, but when a toner cartridge manufacturer in Gananoque advertised for an opening, Grubb pounced on the opportunity. She cut her professional teeth handling customer service, managing returns and setting prices. As the company evolved, so did Grubb’s role within it.
“My career path really took shape through hands-on experience, trust earned from my managers, and good old-fashioned hard work,” she said.
It was at PrintFleet that Grubb truly blossomed professionally, handling myriad roles from sales and marketing coordinator to MPS advisor and global major account manager. She was director of customer experience at the time PrintFleet was acquired by ECI.
Grubb hasn’t benefitted from the sage advice of any single mentor, but rather a number of individuals who have helped shape her professionally. “My peers who encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone have had the most influence,” Grubb said. “They pushed me to attend industry events and understand new technologies like ECI’s e-automate, even when I initially resisted. Their challenges have helped me grow and see the bigger picture of our industry.”
Global Expansion
The last couple of years have been quite eventful for Grubb and ECI. She oversaw the company’s 2023 expansion into Australia and New Zealand. While the challenging journey was marked by initial setbacks, it ultimately proved successful and cleared the way for substantial growth in that region. Moving ahead, she looks forward to fostering a high-performing team environment and exploring even more avenues for international growth. To that end, Grubb seeks to booster customer support and technical capabilities to better serve global customers.
For Grubb, continuous learning and adapting will pave the road to self-improvement. “I plan to track industry trends, deepen strategic partnerships and refine our operational efficiencies to stay ahead in a competitive market,” she said.
Away from the office, family time is a treasured commodity for Grubb. When it comes to vacationing, wherever she can be sans toque (Canadian slang for cap) and soak in sunshine is an optimal destination. If she’s not taking her dog for a daily walk, she enjoys listening to her musician friends perform live, or kicking back at home with her favorite tunes.
