“In this interview, you will learn how I progressed from being a systems engineer to becoming a Sales Director at Axians and what has kept me passionate about this company for 14 years. My journey shows how much can be achieved through teamwork, a strong corporate culture, and passion for your work.”
Hello Arjon, thank you for taking the time to do this interview. Before we begin, could you please introduce yourself and tell us a little about your current position at Axians?
My name is Arjon Nikollori, and I’m 45 years old. I’m a proud father of two—Alex, who’s 12, and Sofia, who’s 6. I’ve been with the company for nearly 14 consecutive years. Over that time, I’ve consistently led the sales department, initially as a Business Development Manager and now as Sales Director. While my title has changed, my core responsibilities remain the same, focusing on managing company sales, overseeing the sales team, and maintaining strong partnerships with vendors.
Can you tell me about your career and how did you reach your current position?
I began my career in the late 1990s as a system engineer, and over time, I transitioned into network engineering. In 2004-2005, I decided to shift from the technical side to the commercial department, specifically focusing on sales. Since then, I’ve been actively involved in sales for nearly two decades.
I spent over a decade working in Greece, first for various system integrators and later at Hewlett Packard, where I spent three years. Eventually, I made the decision to return to Albania—though it felt like an instinctive choice at the time, driven by curiosity and the allure of the country.
Back when I was deciding on my studies and career path, IT was a booming field that everyone wanted to be part of, and it was a dream of mine to work in it. Over time, however, I became more fascinated by sales. I enjoyed the communication, the proactivity, and the art of promoting products and solutions. My technical background gave me an edge in sales, as it allowed me to understand and present products more effectively. Ultimately, this transition from technical to sales has been a positive and rewarding shift in my career.
And how did you join the company?
When I moved back to Albania, I initially worked for one of our major competitors for about three months. However, I wasn’t particularly satisfied with the role I had there, and I was considering either returning to Greece or seeking other opportunities. That’s when I heard from some friends that there was an open position at the company. I applied and, fortunately, I joined.
The decision to join the company was relatively easy for me. It aligned more closely with the professional standards I was used to, especially coming from my previous experience at Hewlett Packard. Moving from a local company to a company, which was part of a larger international corporate structure, felt like a more comfortable and natural fit for me.
Looking back now, after 14 years with the company, I can say it was the right decision.
How would you describe the culture at Axians?
The Axians brand is incredibly reputable, and joining the company has given me a true sense of what it means to be part of a large, global organization. When I was at my previous company, I thought I was working in a big company, but after transitioning to Axians, I realized what a truly large corporation feels like. The level of attention and support we receive from headquarters is far beyond what I experienced before, and it’s been a great motivator for me to continue growing within the company.
In terms of collaboration, we maintain close relationships with colleagues from other countries, especially in Macedonia, Croatia, and Serbia. While we don’t always work on projects together, we frequently exchange advice and support when needed. This sense of cross-country cooperation has always been part of our culture, but it’s even more pronounced now.
Another huge benefit of being with Axians is the exposure to technical events and networking opportunities. In just the past two years, I’ve met so many more colleagues than I had before, and this exchange of ideas has been invaluable. It’s reassuring to know that, whenever challenges arise, there’s a vast network of knowledgeable and willing colleagues to lean on.
Have you faced any particular challenges in your career so far?
Working in sales is always a continuous challenge, but I wouldn’t point to any single obstacle that stands out. Instead, there have been numerous smaller challenges along the way. It hasn’t been easy, but when I look at what we’ve achieved, it makes everything worth it.
For example, when I joined the company back in 2010, the company’s Albania office was generating around €1.8 million in revenue annually. Today, we’ve grown that to nearly €10 million per year. That kind of growth and success is what brings me the most satisfaction. Of course, there were many hurdles along the way, but overcoming them has led us to where we are now, and that’s something I’m really proud of.
Can you share some success stories from your time with us?
There are many happy clients I’ve worked with over the years, and it’s hard to pinpoint just one specific success story. One notable example is our ongoing work with Vodafone. Rather than a single project, it’s been a series of continuous engagements that have grown over time. Vodafone is a client with very high expectations, always seeking the best possible solutions, which pushes us to consistently deliver at a high level.
Their demands require us to be extremely precise and proactive, ensuring everything is set up perfectly. It’s been a rewarding relationship, and I take pride in how we’ve managed to meet their evolving needs while maintaining a strong partnership.
Do you have career goals for the future?
Rather than focusing on personal goals, I prefer to think in terms of the company’s growth. Over the next five years, I’d love to see Axians Albania grow into a €20 million company, becoming larger, more structured, and ultimately dominating the Balkan market. That’s my vision and dream for the future, and I’m committed to working towards that goal.
What advice would you give to new employees who are just starting with us?
My advice to new employees would be to recognize the unique opportunity they have by joining a company like Axians. There aren’t many companies like ours, especially in terms of the experience they’ll gain and the culture we foster. We’re deeply committed to creating a positive environment, one that motivates and supports our employees, particularly the younger generation.
One thing worth mentioning is that the average age of our team at Axians Albania is around 36, which helps create a dynamic and relatable atmosphere. Even as someone who’s 45, I still feel connected to this younger group. For new employees, this means they can easily integrate and communicate with colleagues who are at a similar stage in life, making it easier to adapt and grow within the company.
Beyond that, the experience of working with enterprise-level clients is invaluable. Starting your career here allows you to gain significant knowledge and exposure early on, which will be crucial for your future professional development.