There are three things Ryan Zinglersen keeps coming back to when describing what has driven him throughout his long career.

“I inspire people, I build relationships, and I drive growth.”

This is the approach he brings to his new role as International Dealer Manager at LANDMECO.

LANDMECO is expanding internationally, and Ryan Zinglersen’s primary task will be to develop and strengthen the company’s international dealer network. Initially, he will focus particularly on North-West Europe, but his remit may eventually come to cover the whole of Europe.

“One of my many and important tasks will be to provide more support and advice to the dealers we already have and, together with them, generate further growth for both them and LANDMECO,” says Ryan Zinglersen.

The role also involves identifying and developing new dealers and markets. Ongoing dialogue, seminars, and international trade fairs and events will therefore form a key part of the work.

Internally, Ryan Zinglersen will work closely with colleagues in areas such as sales and technical department, so that LANDMECO can support its dealers and create the best possible solutions for them and their customers.

For Ryan Zinglersen, dealer management is about more than just sales.

‘We need to focus even more on turning a dealer into an even better and more loyal partner. This should not be achieved by putting pressure on them, but through constructive collaboration, where we help both the dealer and LANDMECO to develop,’ he says.

Learnt international sales from scratch

Ryan Zinglersen really got to grips with international sales whilst at Calvex A/S in Skive. Among other things, the company was behind the coloQuick system for handling raw milk for newborn calves, and as export manager he worked on developing the company’s international markets.

“I learnt a great deal there about finding dealers. I travelled the world looking for dealers and worked in places such as China, England, the Netherlands and Belgium. Those were 10 very instructive years.”

He has since continued to work in international sales and exports in other sectors. Along the way, he has, amongst other things, been involved in the export of food-grade plastic and held international sales and management roles.

More than 20 years in professional handball

However, his work with people began long before his career in international sales.

For more than 20 years, Ryan Zinglersen played handball professionally at a high level, both in Denmark and abroad. His career took him to clubs including Viborg HK, Skjern Håndbold, MT Melsungen in Germany and the major Austrian club Hypo Niederösterreich.

For Ryan Zinglersen, coaching was about more than just victories, points and trophies.

“My motivation as a coach was to guide people from A to B. In the world of sport, this takes place under pressure and in the spotlight, and it is incredibly interesting to see how people react in those circumstances.”

At the same time, handball gave him experience in getting people from vastly different cultural backgrounds to work together. At Viborg HK, he worked with German, French and Dutch players, amongst others, whilst the squad at Hypo Niederösterreich comprised 12 nationalities amongst its 18 players.

“I learnt to navigate cultural differences and foster a sense of unity. How do we treat one another, and how do we communicate across cultures to achieve common goals?”

He can draw on that experience in his work with LANDMECO’s dealers. They operate in different markets, and what works in one place does not necessarily work in the same way elsewhere.

“LANDMECO has established some ground rules for the dealers, and these can of course be applied, but most important is to look at both the individual company and the culture, as the way in which we achieve our goals with the dealers may differ quite a lot. I find that work incredibly exciting.”

Ready to meet the dealers

Ryan Zinglersen is now looking forward to getting out into the markets and meeting LANDMECO’s dealers.

“I’m looking forward to getting out there and talking to the dealers. I’m delighted to have this opportunity, and I’m confident that, together with our many excellent dealers, we can take LANDMECO to even greater heights.”

Text: Journalist Mikael Sand, JVR Consult. Tel: 30561992. Email: ms@jvrconsult.dk.