Being all things to all people is a noble goal, but not always a realistic one. Sometimes, it is better to maintain a focus on the Ps and Qs of business; otherwise, the added effort and toil could have the opposite effect of what’s intended.
Early in Dan Boehmer’s leadership career, he was bent on helping as many people as possible, crossing over to various teams to lend assistance, sometimes logging 70-hour workweeks in the process. He was determined to help others forge a path to success; unwittingly, at his own team’s expense.
“I learned that, as a leader, staying true to your focus area is critical to your success,” said Boehmer, a 2020 ENX Magazine Difference Maker. “(At the time) what felt like the right thing to do resulted in my team being under its goal. We got back on track quickly, but I will never forget that experience of staying true to your focus area.”
Customer Experience
As sales operations manager for Supplies Network, Boehmer has a passion for the customer experience that dealer clients have come to expect from the supplier. He takes pride in working through the operational facets of Supplies Network’s business, which enables the sales team to remain focused on driving the business. Having previously served as a sales rep for the company, he can leverage the experience of dealer perspective as a guide to the operational initiatives being pursued by Supplies Network.
Boehmer strives to instill confidence and trust in his leadership abilities. “I’m a bit of a data junkie,” he said. “After all, data is the factual source of information for any situation or business case. I try to take all of that info and present it to others in as few data points as possible so they can understand it.
“I offer and ask for open and honest communication from others in a group setting, all while working towards a very realistic end result. I stay as simple, transparent and realistic as possible.”
A BBA holder from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri, Boehmer came to Supplies Network after spending four-plus years in the wireless industry. During his early years at Supplies Network, he was able to complete studies for his MBA at Lindenwood. He also took the opportunity to learn as much as he could about the industry while applying his MBA teachings to real-world scenarios. It paid quick dividends, as Boehmer is a four-time recipient of the company’s President’s Club award for top sales performers.
Boehmer has garnered much insight from David Concors, the senior vice president of sales for Supplies Network. He credits Concors for being able to interpret and convey complicated programs and systems in easily-accessible talking points. Boehmer considers his mentor an inspiration.
“David’s vision also reminds me that no matter how yucky it may be to get where we’re going, no matter the obstacles we face, we do not let our foot off the gas until we accomplish what we’re chasing,” he remarked.
Maintaining Momentum
Coming off a 2019 that produced double-digit growth, Boehmer notes there were many initiatives and business partnerships created that helped fuel the results. As 2020 garners steam, he will focus on process improvements that influence the customer’s buying experience.
“We’re an industry-leading distributor for many reasons, one of which is our commitment to always perfecting our craft,” Boehmer said. “I am big on reflection. It’s so important to not only map out what you’re going to do and why, but also to look back when you’ve accomplished and run through what went well, could have gone better, etc. I cherish those learnings greatly as I continue to pursue the next challenge.”
Boehmer and his wife, Courtney, have been married for eight years. They have three children: Mason, 6, and 3-year-old twins Kendall and Camden. Sports tend to keep the family busy, and Boehmer also enjoys playing golf, often with his Supplies Network teammates.
