Next up in our continuing blog series on members of the OrbitMI team is Alexander Bjorkheim, our Regional Director, Nordics. After joining us earlier this year, Alexander has hit the ground running by using his extensive market experience and network to spearhead our regional sales efforts to win new business and gain additional clients.
After studying economics at the BI Norwegian business school, I graduated with a BA in International Business and Marketing from university in the UK in 1999 and then performed a year of Norwegian military service at a NATO naval base in the south of England.
Subsequently, I started with international shipping publication TradeWinds working out of the London office with advertising and subscription sales, ultimately heading up the sales team as commercial director during a stint of nearly eight years.
I then moved into commercial roles of maritime software, holding various executive sales positions at a number of companies promoting different digital solutions for commercial, technical and financial management, chartering, freight risk management and voyage management. In addition, I gained six years’ experience in marketing of large commodity trading and risk management systems.
I met OrbitMI CEO Ali Riaz three years ago, and we remained in touch until I joined the team in January. This is a great opportunity both to develop my expertise by learning from the OrbitMI management team and be part of building a company with a solid foundation of ownership, strong product and high potential for growth.
My primary responsibility is to identify and develop opportunities and new accounts across the OrbitMI SaaS platform and partner solutions within the global maritime and shipping
industry.
I also manage the entire sales and commercial cycle, including introductions, discovery/customer need assessments, meetings, calls, presentations, all the way though proposals, negotiations and contract signings.
In addition, I represent OrbitMI at industry trade shows, client events and conferences. 
Selling and relationship building is in my DNA as I am highly motivated by the entire sales process, from initiating dialogue with potential clients, understanding their needs and presenting the value of our solutions to finally winning their business. More important than just signing new contracts, it gives me a strong sense of achievement to build trusted relationships with clients.
Right now, I am solely focused on expanding our sales efforts and participating in the future success of the company. I look forward to an exciting journey.
