Meet the Team: Darrin Kennedy, National Sales Manager
After earning his stripes as Regional Manager at Spicers NZ, Darrin (or DK, as everyone knows him), landed on his feet as our National Sales Manager at Universal.
With extensive industry knowledge and the power of a positive outlook DK is now looking forward to connecting with more customers and helping them meet their goals. Then, if the conditions are right, he’ll be getting out the back at Orewa Beach for a wave or two.
There have been considerable changes in our industry over the last decade and staying up with the play requires a growth mindset and a readiness for the challenges of fast-paced evolution.
Our new sales manager provides this capability perfectly, his forward-thinking approach and attentive focus on client-centered solutions already winning plaudits from these customers. We sat down to talk through the past, present, and future of DK and his work.
Where did you grow up?
I was born in Lincoln in Christchurch but grew up on the Shore here in Auckland. While I’ve travelled around, and spent a three-year stint in London, I have for the most part lived on the Shore and am proud to call it home.
What do you most like about the work?
I think it’s the diverse and interesting customer base which we deal with daily. the variety of markets they operate in and the people within it.
What is the secret to doing well in your job?
If you had said to me years ago that, “you will be able to do the majority of your work from a mobile phone” I would have thought you watched too many sci-fi movies! Yes, technology is increasingly impacting how we connect with people and go about our daily business. Yet the fundamentals of work have not changed. It’s will always be about listening, clear communication, and unerring consistency in our service.
Do you have any interests outside of work?
I love playing and watching tennis (although at times the body says, “just watch it”). Recently I have taken up researching our family genealogy to find out a bit more about my ancestral heritage and culture. It’s a very interesting blend!
What do you do to relax or unwind?
These days it would be walking (or being dragged by) our 3-year-old German Pointer, Rosie. I also love reading and spending time with my family and, if the swell and wind align at Orewa Beach, I’ll take the longboard out for a couple of waves. The ocean is the best stress reliever.
What’s most important to you?
Most important to me is family and, of course, mental and physical health. I think it’s vital to have a sense of purpose and to appreciate your achievements in life too – which I get through a combination of family and work.
What are you surprisingly good at?
My kids would say, apart from “being a world champion lecturer”, that “Dad can make a pretty mean Fijian chicken curry.”
“Yes, technology is increasingly impacting how we connect with people and go about our daily business. Yet the fundamentals of work have not changed. It’s will always be about listening, clear communication, and unerring consistency in our service.”
