The VTS team consists of folks with a diverse set of personalities, talents, and perspectives, and we want you to meet them! That’s why we’ve created this #WeAreVTS blog series to highlight some of the many outstanding people we have at VTS, get a closer look at the dynamic lives they have, and continue to create an environment where each VTSer can be their authentic self.
Without further ado, here's our interview with Michael Scoville, Principal Solutions Consultant!
In a sentence or two, can you explain what you do here at VTS?
Hi Louisa! I’m a Principal Solutions Consultant, which means I’m brought in at any point during the sales process. It could be a new customer or an existing customer who is evaluating expanding their use of VTS by adding VTS Market or upgrading to VTS 4.
My first responsibility is to figure out what outcomes they want to drive by bringing on software. From there, I tailor product demonstrations and conversations throughout the evaluation process. Some pursuits involve a full RFP process, where we go head-to-head with competitors and match their goals to specific product features.
It is my job to be a jack of all trades and answer any question about what we do, how we do it, and why we do it.
Where are you based right now?
New York City.
Can you describe your professional journey and how it led you to VTS?
VTS was the first job I ever had - I started as a Customer Success Associate in 2015.
I then dipped my toe into Sales, working as SDR for a quarter until we merged with Hightower, at which point I went back into Customer Success as an Implementation Associate. During that time I learned how to roll out a customer holistically, from integrations to workflows. I started from the ground floor and grew all the way to a Principal role on the implementation team.
I did that for about seven years, then last year I moved onto the Solutions team as a Principal Solutions Consultant.
What excites you about what you do at VTS? Is there a moment in your time here that made you especially proud to work at VTS?
I’ve been here for a lot of the big milestones at VTS which have been really exciting. I’ve been through multiple rounds of funding (Series B through E), our merger with Hightower, and the acquisition of three companies. Not many people can say they’ve seen all that in a career, much less the first few years. It’s been awesome to be involved in such big milestones at a time where I could make a real impact.
The recent round of funding was big since we saw customers investing in us. They are putting their name out there, showing they believe in what we’re working on and see us as more than just a software vendor.
On to more personal topics - what was your dream job growing up?
I wanted to be a professional baseball player (go Reds). When I realized that wasn’t a realistic goal, I then wanted to be a sports agent…but I didn’t want to go to law school, which was necessary to become one.
What do you like to do in your free time? Any hobbies?
I love going to sporting events and watching sports! I’m a big Villanova basketball, Bengals, and Reds fan...I’ve also adopted the New York Yankees and Rangers as teams so I can go to games with my fiancée Katie. I also love to hang out with my dog, Fishy, and take him on walks in the park.
If you could wave a magic wand to solve any problem in the world, what would it be?
Considering all of the events that are happening in the world, world peace would be a great place to start (I promise I’m not trying to be Miss America).
What’s your advice for someone who wants to be in a role similar to yours?
Focus on the customer and the business. I spent so much time early on learning and understanding what we do as a company, what our clients need, what they expect, and how they operate. I spent seven years rolling out our platform to our customers and hearing what outcomes they need from it. There is no greater way to get into a solutions mindset than helping people roll out solutions to their problems.
Because of that, I can speak about our offerings in an educated way based on real customer examples and things that I have done with clients that I know work.
You don’t have to have experience implementing technology and overcoming related challenges to be in a Solutions role - but to have that mindset is incredibly important as you look to help drive outcomes. You have to understand how you get there.
