James Merkel

Examiner
DISC Type : cs

Executive Director - Corporate Sales, Marketing / President - Ringmasters Joint Venture at Scot Forge

Lake Zurich, Illinois, United States

Overview

James Merkel is an executive sales and business development leader at Scot Forge with extensive experience in manufacturing. He specializes in selling highly engineered metal components to global industries like aerospace, energy, and defense. He holds a BS in Engineering and an MBA from Loyola University Chicago.

Outside of his executive duties, James is passionate about leading and mentoring sales teams to achieve success. His professional interests include branding and market development. He shared a lighthearted family-oriented Christmas card post, suggesting a focus on personal connections and holiday spirit.

Unique fact: He is an executive at Scot Forge, which is a 100% employee-owned company.

Personality Overview

Overcautious

Unexpressive

Process Oriented

The only way to convince them is by showing them examples and ample proof.  They are heavily focused on quality and prefer doing things the right way, even if it takes time. Being observant comes to them naturally.

Topics They Care About

Engineered Metal Components
His career has focused on selling complex forgings, castings, and machined components to Fortune 500 companies across various demanding industries.
Global Market Development
He has a strong track record of leading sales to global clients such as Boeing, Caterpillar, and John Deere in aerospace, off-highway, and energy sectors.
Sales Leadership
He lists leading and mentoring world-class sales organizations as a significant area of expertise and a core part of his professional focus.

Media Appearances

James has no verified media appearances

Work History

6-2011
Executive Director - Corporate Sales, Marketing / President - Ringmasters Joint Venture at Scot Forge
10-2010 - 6-2011
Executive Vice President Sales Marketing at Premier Precision Group
1-2000 - 9-2010
Vice President of Business Development / Director of Sales and Global Business Development at Wozniak Industries Inc.
6-1994 - 12-1999
Director of Sales and Marketing - Industrial at Citation Corporation (now Grede Holdings LLC - 2010)
6-1987 - 6-1994
Various - General Sales Manager / New Product Development Manager / International Sales Engineer at Wells Manufacturing Company - Castwell Division - Skokie IL

Education

MBA from Quinlan School of Business, Loyola University Chicago
BS - Engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology

More Information

Social Presence :

Prographics :

Exp : 38 Location : Lake Zurich, Illinois, United States Job Level : Senior Designation : Executive Director - Corporate Sales, Marketing / President - Ringmasters Joint Venture at Scot Forge
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Insights For Selling To James

During A Call Or A Meeting

DO's

  • Expect them to be vague in response to your questions, ask firmly and pointedly
  • Ask them which other stakeholders would be important for this purchase decision
  • Spend time addressing concerns around risk and change, they will have them even if they don't express them

DONT's

  • Avoid getting into storytelling mode, especially when they ask specific questions
  • Don't rely on relationship building even if they act pleasantly
  • Don't use phrases like 'do not worry', 'i promise' etc.

When Cold Calling

When Writing An Email

While Negotiating & Closing

    The secret to closing fast with James is

  • Low-risk, adoption by others are very important to them, followed by confidence in ROI.
  • Will you ever get a clear answer from James

  • Often, they don't say no, or keep going about it in circles.

Insights For Deal Planning

    How fast (or slow) will James move?

  • They do not like to rush and therefore can be quite slow in their decision-making.
  • Can James take some risk or not?

  • They have little risk-appetite and prefer to take measured decisions.

You And James

Personality Compatibility


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