Metrie Ambassador: Chris Tieche

Manufacturers can offer the best products, but without committed ambassadors and great distributors, they would never get those products out the door. At Metrie, we’re aware of the impact our dedicated ambassadors have on our success.

Chris Tieche has been with Metrie since 2012 and brings humor and enthusiasm to his work. Whether he’s working with Metrie’s internal team or acting as a go-to resource for our customers, he represents Metrie’s values and commitment to the marketplace in everything he does.

Rolling With It

One of the key skills any ambassador or salesperson needs to have is an ability to roll with change (especially during uncertain times, like a pandemic), and Chris has been able to do that from day one… or day two, to be exact.

“I started on October 30th,” Chris says. “My second day on the job was Halloween, and I was tricked into showing up in costume. It was a fun way to start my career.”

He was a good sport about it though and has had several chances to be the joker himself, when the opportunity presented itself over the last seven and a half years.

Finding the Balance Between Enthusiasm and Humility

A great ambassador is someone who is confident: both in themselves and in their product. But too much confidence can also get in your way. Ambassadors have to know how to balance their enthusiasm with the humility necessary to learn from their customers. 

As Chris puts it, “Many of my dealers have been in business since before I was a kid, so I definitely do not presume to know their business better than they do.”

We talked to Bob Woroch, Owner and President of Northfield Trim & Door, about what it’s like to work with Chris. Bob has been a Metrie customer for over 35 years, so he knows his business well. He’s looking for a partner who can not only introduce new products but who is also willing to take the time to understand Bob’s business needs.

“Chris is very efficient,” Bob says. “He's knowledgeable about the products that he is selling for Metrie. If he doesn't know the answer to questions or issues, he'll find them out.”

Understanding the Industry

Northfield is a pro-focused dealer, and Bob appreciates that Chris comes with an understanding of what that means and how it impacts the products Northfield sells.

“He knows our business. Some of the new products that Metrie is offering may be more targeting the retail market, which we're not. Chris pushes the products that we need and that we would be able to sell. He understands our business and our customer base.”

Chris knows that dealers struggle when it comes to pricing products competitively. Instead of focusing on the commodity and racing to the bottom with their competition, he helps them figure out the questions to ask so customers can understand the value of what they’re purchasing.

“I see price as being a challenge for a lot of dealers, regardless of what or whose product they sell. We can help them overcome price objections by focusing on the value the product provides and not price. We’ll ask questions like: ‘How much is a good night’s sleep worth? How important is the resale value of your home?'”

By focusing on the value proposition, Chris can help both dealers and builders find a quality product that will meet homeowner needs and last for years. “Many builders focus on price when they should be looking at value. Trim and doors offer one of the best bangs for your buck when it comes to perceived value in a home.”

Go the Extra Mile

A great ambassador is one who goes the extra mile, both for his team and for his customers, and Chris does exactly that.

Jason Bullock, Metrie’s Market Manager, says, “Chris’s follow-up and follow-through skills are his trademarks. He works extremely hard, and his accounts and team members have great respect for what he does.”

Bob at Northfield has seen that dedication in action, too. “I'll send him a text or an email at 7:30 at night, and he's emailed me right back. And Michael, who's my right-hand man, he's reached out to Chris on numerous occasions and gotten answers back at night.”

Early mornings aren’t a problem either. “If I needed him here Monday morning, at seven o'clock to meet a customer, I know he would make arrangements.”

In fact, Chris is ready to do that and more. Chris says, “We volunteer to essentially be an extension of our customers’ sales staff. We assist with joint sales calls, sample boards, displays and educational sessions.”

Always Be Improving

Ambassadors like Chris are always looking to educate themselves on new products, understand how changes in the marketplace - such as COVID-19 shut-downs and supply issues - are impacting their customer's businesses, and identify what’s driving demand for particular types of products.

Chris says, “I like to encourage customers to challenge the builder norm and push the envelope.” 

Whether it’s bringing in new sales and marketing materials to help dealers better communicate with builders or educating them on new product lines, Chris is ready to help.

We asked Bob if he had any areas he’d like to see Chris improve over the coming years, and his answer was very clear:

“His golf game sucks,” he laughed. “I guess maybe he was promoted for his knowledge of the job and not his golf game.”

No doubt, with humility and a passion for improvement, Chris will take this into consideration. 

Take the First Step

Metrie’s reps are here to support and educate their dealer customers, no matter what global or local situations arise. Chris and the rest of the Metrie team are passionate about helping customers differentiate themselves in a competitive building products market. 

To get started with your rep, visit the Metrie website.