Welcome to the first edition of The People of Tropical, our new series designed to show you the people who make Tropical tick. From sales and service to operations and production, we’ll be shining a light on the individuals behind the business. First up is John-John, our National Sales Manager.

What is your role at Tropical and what does a typical day look like?

I’m the National Sales Manager at Tropical. A typical day usually involves being out on the road meeting clients, supporting customers and spending a lot of time speaking with the sales team. A big part of my role is staying close to our customers and making sure we understand what they need from us.

How long have you been part of the Tropical team?

Four months and counting!

What did you do before joining Tropical?

Before joining Tropical, I was Sales Director for a large producer of bespoke wooden flooring. That gave me a lot of experience working within the built environment and helped me understand just how important good service and strong customer relationships really are.

What skills or experience do you bring to the team?

I bring over 20 years of sales experience within the built environment, with a strong background in business development and customer relationships. Over the years, I’ve learned that selling isn’t just about product—it’s about understanding what customers need and making sure you deliver on it.

What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned in your career to date?

People buy from people they like and trust. No matter what training, systems or technology you have, if the buyer doesn’t trust you, selling becomes much harder. Good relationships still matter more than anything.

What motivates you in your day-to-day work?

Growing the business is a big motivator for me, but so is helping customers succeed. I enjoy seeing things move forward and knowing the work we’re doing is making a difference.

What part of your job do you enjoy the most?

I really enjoy rolling out new and innovative products. There’s always excitement in bringing something new to market, especially when you know it can help customers grow their own business.

What does success look like in your role?

Success means growing sales in a way that lasts, while keeping customers happy and maintaining strong relationships. It’s about building something for the long term.

What’s something you’ve learned from your colleagues?

I’ve learned just how technical and surprisingly complex blinds can be. There’s a lot more to them than most people realise.

What do you think installers care about most when choosing a supplier?

Quality in both product and service. Installers need products they can rely on, but they also need a supplier who is dependable, responsive and easy to deal with.

What’s one small detail that makes a big difference on site?

Being tidy and organised. It sounds simple, but the small details matter and customers notice them.

What leads to better results for the end customer?

Attention to detail. It’s often the small things that make the biggest difference, whether that’s in measuring, product choice or installation.

What makes Tropical a good partner for the trade?

Our sole focus is supplying and supporting the trade, and we’ve been doing that for almost 50 years. That experience means we understand what installers need and what matters to them.

 

Quick Fire

Tea or coffee?

Coffee

Early bird or night owl?

Early bird

Dogs or cats?

Dogs

Beach or city break?

City break

Favourite weekend activity?

Watching the Six Nations

Favourite film or TV series?

Goodfellas

Dream holiday destination?

New Zealand

Three words colleagues would use to describe you?

Results-driven, reliable and collaborative