Taking Responsibility for My Business

Taking Responsibility for My Business
By Ashkan Tabibnia, CEO, 7 Elephants Distributing

Facing the challenge of a changing world economy head-on is the one and only solution to keep a business growing. This is always a tough job for managers whose responsibility goes beyond the façade of the business and intercepts through the life and survivability of its operation. Synergy plays a major role in this quest.
Not only does management hold the responsibility of directing its business in this economy, but also other market forces such as what the consumer electronics industry experiences today, necessitates the understanding and cooperation of every key player in the business.
Marketing, operations, finance and product sourcing all need key people who are part of a cross-functional team. This calls for further understanding from the internal cross-functional teams, to provide the best possible “snap shot” of the current situation to better focus and aim the sales team, its staff, and stakeholders.
Synergy is greater when common goals are created by all, shared and combined with multiple departments. The people then are able to own it; they “buy” into it. No one falls when work goals are created and shared as a team.
The 6th habit in Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People occurred to me as I was writing this blog. I am hoping the message of the “principles of creative cooperation” provides the ultimate solution to get market advantage and leverage despite the down turn in the economy. It is interesting to know that even the big name companies are having ‘real’ problems as well. This gives me some kind of ‘absolution’ of our own issues, easing the tension a bit.
In the process of internalizing how exactly to act on and take responsibility for my business, I came to a conclusion. I am going to take responsibility first for my teams, especially my Sales Team. I do understand that any kind of motivation to sell and reach their quota has become a Tabula Rasa when customers, who used to buy in bigger volume, have now proclaimed lower profit returns. They lost the confidence to buy the same way as before, as in that other economy.
The ultimate key to keep things moving towards growth is right before my eyes – my Sales Team. We are investing in our Sales Team with group and individual education. More than sales education, we want to improve their organizational skills and other marketing skills.
Sales people are in the market so they are really our eyes and ears and can bring back feedback from our customers and that is what helps us make good choices. 7 Elephants is fortunate to have under its wing 7 truly dedicated marketing people whose emphasis is on sales. They love our products, are knowledgeable about them, and are proud of being with 7 Elephants.
They are time disciplined; they listen to the management and work relentlessly. Yet a market slowing down can show their vulnerability. But that is no reason to slow down creativity, ingenuity, and devotion to their individual responsibilities. Actually, it’s a reason to invest. The market will prime up again, hopefully sooner than later, and everything will be alright again. They understand the nature of the business. They are the brand and so are our customers.
Customer service should never be compromised despite economic hard times. One customer from Northern California for example, called in last week, looking for Simin Tabibnia (one of our sales executives) and then purchased products to start his new business.
The customer had heard about Simin and her customer service ingenuity, and made their way from Sacramento, CA to buy our products.
7 Elephants is engaged, all-encompassing and we are not holding back. Carpe Diem, no matter what!

KONAKI KO-1207A SUBWOOFER HITS BEST REVIEW FOR HIGH SPL SYSTEM

“We did it again!”

KO-1207A 12” subwoofer had made new product review as #2 Best in the Industry, according to Subwoofers Buyer’s Guide for its 2009 Volume 11 Issue 2. SPL frequency was considered and was reviewed based on high performance competition, serous power, and great value capabilities. KO1207A came second to AUTOTEK MW12SQD4, square subwoofer reviewed to generate higher SPL than the regular round sized woofer. Once again, we have had the privilege of owning this pride as our KONAKI brands take front seat in various audio and video competitions.

In May 2008, our KONAKI 1207A won during the South Texas Heat Wave First Annual Port Wars with a resounding score of 166 dB. Thanks to the ingenuity of Joe Lozano, who combined together a pair of KO 1207A to create such amazing SPL frequency, and Ernie and Jason Zepeda of Auto Sound Solution who installed it, no closest competitor (one put together 6 subs) even came close with our KO 1207A pair of 12” subwoofers. KO 1207A stood out the BEST among the REST!

Tuned up to 2400 watts RMS peak, wrapped in linen woven paper cone with foam surround, 300 Hz frequency response, 2 ohm impedance and 91 Db sensitivity power, chances are… our KONAKI KO1207A will always take great reviews against other brands!

7 Elephants Enjoys Year 15

Vernon CA, August 2009 - 7 Elephants, designer, importer and distributor of high quality and high performance mobile electronics may be considered to have made its greatest contribution to the consumer electronics industry in the last 15 years. The 7 Elephants’ brands, Konaki, MD Sound, NT Power and Konaki Digital have captured a significant share of market upon which many of its customers have come to depend for their profitable business growth. For 15 years, 7 Elephants has been noted for the quality, integrity, and performance of their products which include car audio and video systems, digital media player, cameras, and personal electronics.

Credits go to two of the most energy-driven, and potent minds in the design and technology of advanced mobile electronics – Sharam Tabibnia and Ashkan Tabibnia.Together they delivered the life-blood of the company – products delivered to market via a disciplined business plan that helps to generate top line sales and bottom line profit for their customers. Creating a solid near and long term future out of prudent, gainful hard work and determination is second nature to Sharam and Ashkan Tabibnia. Critical to the 7 Elephants business plan is integrity and predictability, which are fundamental aspects of 7 Elephants’ core values.

Car audio and video retailers, trade shows exhibitors, Digital Media Player retailers and imaging enthusiasts have linked our brands with good profit, enviable electronics technology, and high-end brand image.

Holiday's 7 Elephant Style

7 ELEPHANTS AND SPOKES MODEL CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS 7 ELEPHANTS STYLE

Los Angeles CA, December 10, 2009; Whitney Harchanko (7 Elephants’ spokes model) and 7 Elephants are pleased to have teamed up with Holidays From The Heart a Los Angeles Children’s Hospital charity for another magicial year of Holiday giving . The charity helps the families of terminally or chronically ill children and their families, to make the holidays seem brighter although they face harsh realities everyday battling their illnesses. “Through this program” says Whitney Harchanko, “we are able to sponsor an enjoyable holiday for two families, getting them gifts, necessities and warm clothes and blankets.

Last Christmas 7 Elephants donated digital cameras, mp4 players, digital photo frames, blankets, jackets and much more. Ms Harchanko started with a list of names, ages and a wish list. Next 7 Elephants donated cash for each family and then Whitney and her friends set out shopping! “We had to pick out baby diapers, school supplies, Spiderman toys and makeup”. Once each item on the list was crossed off it was time to get wrapping! Knowing that the families would be setting these presents out on Christmas Eve and Christmas day gave Whitney and the 7 Elephants’ folks even more inspiration to make sure these gifts looked like the real thing, bows and all!

On December 12th, 2008 Whitney, Ashkan, Sharam, Raul and crew set out in their "sleighs" and arrived at the hospital where family number one was just preparing for their daughter's chemotherapy to begin, she is 15 years old and she has spinal cancer. She looked strong, like a fighter. “Seeing how brave she was brought tears to my eyes. I was so happy I could bring them a few items that would make their holidays merrier” said Whitney. After some pictures and happy holiday wishes, the group left the family to prepare for the hardest day of their lives, only it replays every day for them. “I pray for them still” explained Whitney.
Then Whitney and crew were back in their "sleighs" and headed to the home of the second family. The 7 year old boy was terminally ill and very shy, but he was waiting at the stoop with the door open, waiting for Ms. Harchanko and the crew. “My heart swelled”, continued Whitney, “I was thrilled to have brightened his day! We brought in all the gifts and met the family including their single mother and an adorable 2 month old baby. I knew they were planning on keeping the presents for under the tree, but I also knew that the little boy loves Spiderman and I had picked out a special present that I wanted him to see right away. He started to carefully un-wrap the box and his older brother and sister urged him to rip it off quick so he could see what it was! He was very excited and although the shopping had been a little confusing and the wrapping and delivery exhausting, it was all so worth it!”

7 Elephants is happy to be doing this again this year and expanding the number of families they will sponsor.
“On behalf of 7 Elephants” said Ms Harchanko”, “especially Ashkan, Sharam and Raul for helping to deliver presents I'd like to say thank you to the Holidays From The Heart program for making it possible for us to help these families, it truly is a magical and fulfilling feeling!”
For more information on Holidays From The Heart visit http://www.holidaysfromtheheart.org/ and for 7 Elephants visit http://www.7elephants.com/ or call 800-977-9779.

Happy Holidays From the 7 Elephants Family