Becoming a Sales Professional: An Apprentice’s Diary
Hi, I’m Maria Deben Amparan.
Looking back: More than numbers
When I look back at Q3 *, I see more than numbers, I see a challenge that shaped me. It revealed my resilience and inner strength, and for that, I’m proud. There were personal and professional circumstances, but none of them stopped me.
My purpose? To prove that I can do anything when I commit.
* Q3 refers to October–December. My company follows a financial year from 1 April to 30 March, so our quarters are aligned to that structure, while some organisations use the calendar year instead.
The mini goal challenge
Our mini goal challenge was simple in theory: each apprentice in New Business set their own targets for the quarter.
My goal? 10 closed won, 10 referred, and 10 implementations.
Why ten? I am still not sure. Honestly, I just felt it was the right number: not too low to play safe, not too high to be unrealistic. It was ambitious but achievable, and I was ready.
Planning for success
I planned carefully; ten calls a day became my mantra. I managed my time, attended ISP webinars, organised my pipeline, and focused on Switch opportunities (as an apprentice, I’m not allowed to claim revenue, so any growth or new opportunities needed to be referred to New Business Team when uncovered after conversation with customers) .
And I wasn’t alone. A special thank you to Dil, Andy, and Billy, who supported me every step of the way, especially with learning onboarding processes. You guys made a difference!
Reality check: Peak season hits
Then reality stepped in. Q3 runs from October to December, which is peak season. Add organisational changes, bad weather, onboarding platform issues, and the whole company and sales teams preparing to leave office to support delivery operations.
To top it off, my name had just changed in the system, and my phone number was wrong. That small error caused big delays: accounts didn’t progress to onboarding, which meant customers weren’t contacted for posting support, Direct Debit setup, or collection arrangements.
The Positive? I worked across offices and departments, met amazing people who guided me and discovered the reason why my accounts weren’t progressing and fixed it. Still, five opportunities were stuck as December holidays approached.
A surprise win along the way
While I was focused on my mini goal, something else was happening in the background: a competition between teams. Both New Business offices were competing in a special campaign, and even though my priority was my own targets, I was still linked to that competition in my category: Apprentices.
Guess who won for the apprentices? Yes, you’re right; me!
It was unexpected, but it completely proves that when you commit to your goals and give your best, rewards often find you along the way.
The results
So, how did I do?
- Closed won: 6/10
- Implementation: 9/10
- Referred: 10/10
Did I hit every target? No. But here’s the truth: I didn’t miss because I lacked effort or preparation. I missed because of circumstances beyond my control, and that matters. When I look at those numbers, I see persistence. I see someone who gave 100%, adapted, and kept going even when things got tough.
Honestly, if those circumstances hadn’t happened, I know I would have achieved every goal.
The bigger picture
The best part? Those delayed opportunities are closing now in Q4. So, in the end, the work I did wasn’t wasted; it’s paying off.
This challenge taught me something powerful: success isn’t just about hitting a number. It’s about learning, growing, and proving to yourself that you can rise to the occasion.
My takeaway
If you’re facing a challenge, remember this: focus on what you can control, give your best, and let the rest follow. Effort always counts, and sometimes, it counts more than the outcome.
Ignore the noise of the world, it steals your peace and your focus.
People may doubt you or try to hold you back, but their voices don’t define your path. Stay true to your goals, both personal and professional, and trust the process. When you protect your focus and keep moving forward, results will come, often when you least expect them.
I have grown, and I’m ready for what’s next.
“Persistence beats perfection. Progress beats pressure. Purpose beats everything.”
Keep showing up, keep learning, and trust that every step forward matters.
Because growth isn’t just about hitting targets, it’s about learning every step of the way.
Want to dive deeper into the skills that helped me through Q3? Check out these modules from the ISP NextGen Sales Foundations Learning Track:
- Managing Your Pipeline
- Maintaining Momentum
- Managing Your Time
- Continuing Professional Development