Competitors Spying at Trade Shows

A typical career path: assistant, junior sales, senior sales, sales manager, export director, entrepreneur. At each stage, focus on different skills: processes early, client development mid-career, management later.

The transition from individual contributor to manager is the hardest step. You need to learn hiring, training, goal-setting, and team motivation. Start by mentoring 1-2 juniors before taking a full management role.

High-paying roles aren't limited to sales. Procurement, supply chain management, cross-border operations, and trade data analysis all offer strong earning potential. Don't limit yourself to one path.