I have been with Ansys for three and a half years. My career journey began in the automotive industry, where I worked for two Tier 1 suppliers for six and a half years, specializing in injection molding and aluminum casting. Before joining Ansys, during my studies, I gained experience in cold-calling for a software company. Three and a half years ago, I transitioned back to the software industry and joined Ansys, a move I have not regretted since. Now, I use my knowledge and insights to sell to companies in my former industry by leveraging my previous experiences.
How I’d Explain My Job to a Kindergartener
Imagine you have a large collection of toys. My job is to show these toys to others, highlighting the joy and excitement they bring. Once someone discovers their new favorite toy, I make sure they can keep it and continue having fun with it.
Our sales team at a team-building activity in my hometown, Frankfurt
What I Actually Do
My role involves connecting with our customers, understanding their unique challenges, and offering the right software solutions. Think of it as being a matchmaker for software. I help our customers navigate a jungle of options and technical jargon to find the software that will help them succeed. Whether through asking questions, initiating workshops, or closing deals, my job is to make the process feel like a fun, easy journey rather than a never-ending maze. Along the way, I build strong relationships with our customers to ensure their satisfaction.
Of course, I don't do this alone. It's a team effort involving our heroes from Ansys customer excellence (ACE), technical account management (TAM), sales and order operations specialists (SOOS), deal desk, business operations, marketing, product management, legal, finance, and every other department.
Why I Choose Ansys
What attracted me to Ansys was the opportunity to work for a company that positively impacts the environment. Honestly, I had never heard of Ansys before stumbling across it during my job search. Coming from a job selling combustion engine parts to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), I was excited to join a company that makes a difference. Ansys empowers customers to innovate more quickly, efficiently, and sustainably.
I only wish the Ansys Earth Rescue series had been out back then; it would have been the icing on the cake that initially got me hooked. I stay because I feel appreciated. My managers trust my experience and allow for room to explore new ideas. While we set challenging goals, we don’t limit how we achieve them. I get to forge my own path and be authentic while doing so. It’s a collaborative working environment with great colleagues, some of whom have become friends. I look forward to group events like sales kickoff because I truly enjoy seeing my colleagues and friends.
Our ONE Ansys Culture
What I find special about the ONE Ansys culture is that my sales role enables me to gain insights into many different companies and have meaningful conversations with their employees to truly understand how their company works. At Ansys, everyone believes in our values. These are not just words but true principles by which we all act. They are our DNA, what defines us as a company. The unique strength of Ansys is that we all work towards a common goal as one team.
Making an Impact
When I started, I faced the challenging task of closing a multi-year deal with a customer just six weeks before the end of the quarter. The challenge was that no one had yet discussed such a deal with the customer. I sought advice from my manager, and we gathered all colleagues involved in the account from different departments to devise a plan. Guess what? We crushed it, closing the deal on the last day of the quarter! This was the moment I knew that these were not only the people I wanted to work with but also the environment I wanted to be in.
Canoeing on the Lahn River in Germany
At a concert with my wife
My job enables me to make an impact by supporting the most innovative companies in the world. I get to be curious at the forefront of technology, discovering new opportunities as the limits of what is possible continue to expand. I cannot imagine a more exciting task.
Our Shared Values
While our Ansys values are important, if I had to choose one, it would be "Be Courageous." This is my favorite Ansys value, and I strive to embody it every day in my sales role. I get to know many of our customers and their ways of working. I actively promote new ideas and unconventional solutions in many companies I work with. The fear of making mistakes or trying something new is the biggest enemy of innovation.
It is so important to allow people to be courageous, to try new things, and not punish them if things don’t work out as intended. This can unlock huge potential and boost the personal growth of employees. In the end, it is the employer that stands to benefit. It’s one of the many things that makes Ansys special.
Fulfilling Our Mission
Working in sales, I am part of the bridge between the innovation that Ansys brings and our customers who actively use our products to drive human advancement. The best product doesn't contribute to human advancement if no one knows about it. It is the job of the sales team to ensure that our customers are aware of and use our latest innovations. We also ensure that there is enough revenue coming in so that we can all get paid and continue to innovate.
My Best Advice
Don't hesitate to show your true self and do things your way. The people at Ansys are genuinely supportive. Open your mind and leave behind any negative emotions from your previous job. Embrace the Ansys values. Be yourself, be open, be curious. Connect with as many people as possible and ask your teammates if you can join them during their next customer meeting. In my experience, everyone is willing to set aside time to support you.
Action shot of me presenting at the Customer Experience Centre (CEC)
Getting Involved
I am an active supporter of Wikimedia and passionate about this topic. Nowadays, it’s not always easy to separate fact from fiction, especially online. I believe that global access to unrestricted free education is imperative for a free global society. This is a great achievement and something that needs to be cultivated and protected.
In Germany, we have the unique cultural aspect of being organized in so-called “Vereine,” which translates to clubs or associations. “Vereine” have a democratic structure and focus on contributing to society, dating back to the 19th century. They also play an important role in integration. I am proud to participate in a local Vereine, TSV Sachsenhausen 1857 and FRG Germania, and give back to society by participating in various activities, such as donating blood, helping during elections, and leading a table tennis team.
What You Might Not Know
I love backpacking and save my vacation days for big trips. My most recent adventure was to the Southwest, where I saw some of the most amazing landscapes. I've visited more than 50 countries and have never owned a suitcase.
I also started my first business in elementary school, renting cassettes to my classmates.
Another passion of mine is attending music concerts and festivals, especially German rock music. The energy and excitement help me recharge. I've seen my favorite band more than 10 times and even traveled to different countries for their concerts.
I also attended a public school in Birmingham, Michigan, for three years. This really helped me with my English. Say hi if you're from the area.
“Working in sales, I am part of the bridge between the innovation that Ansys brings and our customers who actively use our products to drive human advancement.”
— Daniel Moeglich, account executive, Ansys
