Central and Eastern Europe: Regional Sales Manager takes stock
Countries united by entrepreneurial spirit, resilience, and growth potential.
After one year as Regional Sales Manager for Central and Eastern Europe in Bratislava (Slovakia), Silvia Poralo takes stock of her success so far: “Since we’ve been collaborating more closely across borders, we’ve been creating significant added value for our customers.” Over the past twelve months, the Canadian has developed a stronger regional approach for Poland, Romania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary, taking into account the unique characteristics of each country. From the very beginning, one of her priorities has been to encourage the country teams to “share opportunities, customer insights, and best practices, rather than working in silos.”
Career in Canada, Romania, and the U.S.
Since graduating with a degree in international transportation and customs, Silvia Poralo has worked in the freight forwarding industry for nearly two decades. In 2016, she joined a. hartrodt in Toronto (Canada), became Country Manager in Bucharest (Romania), and previously served as Branch Manager in New York (USA). What inspires her about Central and Eastern Europe is “a unique combination of entrepreneurial spirit, resilience, and growth potential.”
Transparency and faster communication
The manager has continuously strengthened a. hartrodt’s customer-centric approach ensuring that customer feedback is consistently translated into tangible improvements. However, Silvia Poralo faces challenges: “Customers expect not only competitive pricing, but also greater visibility, faster communication, and tailored solutions.” Her task, she says, is to “turn the wealth of information we have into actionable insights.” She does not pursue a one-size-fits-all approach: “Diversity keeps the region dynamic and encourages innovation.”
Silvia Poralo is impressed by how “committed and resourceful” the country teams are – “always willing to go the extra mile for customers.” She believes a. hartrodt is “exceptionally well-positioned” for growth in this strategic region between Western Europe and Asia.