Q&A with Shariff Narayanin

Shariff Narayanin, former Jetcraft Sales Representative
Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

How long have you been at Jetcraft?

It was one year ago that I joined the Jetcraft family. After 20 years of working in flight operations (and close to 9,000 flight hours), I was lucky to be given a chance at learning the difficult world of aircraft sales.

What are your responsibilities within the global Jetcraft team?

I support the team by identifying and engaging new leads in South East Asia, mainly Indonesia (the country I call home). I work under the guidance of David Dixon whose experience and knowledge of the territory have been invaluable to me.

Describe a typical day or week in your role.

There is nothing typical about my week. I spend most of my time in Jakarta and around South East Asia chasing new prospects. A day could be made up of calling a potential lead in the morning, touching base with a contact at lunch time, then getting refreshed and ready to attend a long evening event to further an existing business relationship. I may spend several hours in traffic getting to an appointment, or experience a weekend in a remote forest, an island, or a Formula One track. I am always following that customer who never stops in one place.

What do you love most about your job?

I have enjoyed the challenge of adding a new string to my bow and learning more about this promising but enigmatic bizav market. The positivity and motivation from the Jetcraft team in support of this effort has made it a very enjoyable experience.

Describe the company culture at Jetcraft and what it means to you?

Jetcraft is driven by a group of outstanding leaders, which is a great motivator for me. Jetcraft encourages personal initiative which is rare nowadays. The sense of being a part of the Jetcraft family is coupled with accountability and a real desire to achieve the highest standards.

What do you want your customers to experience when dealing with Jetcraft?

I feel a great sense of achievement when my customers experience a high level of professionalism and technical knowledge of the products paired with the back up of a strong team.

Who or what has been your greatest professional influence?

Captain Philippe Davies is a highly recognized aviator whom I was lucky to cross paths with at the beginning of my career. He not only taught me how to properly fly a jet but also had the patience to teach me discipline and to always strive for the best. He also taught me to anticipate problems and deal with them with a cool head, which is something that I have carried all along. It helps me a great deal in facing the daily challenges inherent to aircraft sales.

Describe yourself in 3 words.

Knowledgeable, committed, reliable.

If you were to buy a business jet, which aircraft would suit your needs and why?

I am very fond of the Bombardier Global 5000. I believe it is the best compromise between comfort, performance, operational flexibility and cost of ownership.

What stands out to you as good customer service?

Good customer service extends from pre-purchase to after-sales. It goes deep into understanding the customers’ real needs and guiding them throughout the whole transaction process. It is a service that provides a smooth and painless experience, looking at long-term satisfaction and not just the immediate sale.

Finally, what is your hidden talent or hobby?

Being born and raised in Reunion Island, hand percussions are part of my culture and upbringing. Music is what keeps me “alive” and relaxes me. I was a drummer in a few bands in the past and still enjoy playing drums and composing electronic music in my home studio when I have the time. I also enjoy a nice relaxing round of golf with my sons on my days at home.