This month in the blog, meet Scott Cohen- business development and sales engineer. He came to Omega about a year before COVID and quickly went to work going to tradeshows and learning all he could about the filter business. His hard work and enthusiasm are contagious! Based out of the Boston area, he is rarely "in the office" but is always just a phone call away with good advice or a helping hand. Read more about Scott below...
Briefly describe your current position and what a typical day looks like.
My core job is business development. My duties entail everything from cold calls/cold emails to following up on website generated leads, to working with engineering on quotes, arranging for technical meetings, booking orders and following up on first article filters to assure customer satisfaction. Pre-COVID, we were doing a trade show every other month, and that required quite a bit of pre and post show work. Since COVID, I have gone back to a more grass roots approach. I am an early riser and like to be at my desk around 7:30 AM. I subscribe to a number of Life Science publications and Google Alerts and like to read those with fresh eyes. I also read number of trade magazines (Laser Focus World, Photonics Spectra, Biophotonics, The Scientist) to keep on top of new industry developments. there is always something to do to be productive and effective. With customers in Australia, Japan, and California, the work day does not end at 5 PM.
What led you to working at Omega Optical? Briefly describe your previous educational and professional experience.
Omega recruited me via the OSA (now Optica) website. I was working in outside the optic industry, and welcomed the opportunity to return. Omega reminded me of Crystal Systems (later GTAT) where I had worked previously, selling sapphire. I felt comfortable and that my contributions mattered.
What is your favorite part about working at Omega Optical?
Hands down, the customer applications. There is always a new design or product that needs filters.
What have you learned since working at Omega Optical?
I think the question is "What haven't I learned?" Selling rod, plate, unpolished or polished sapphire is a breeze compared to filters. Sapphire is all about transmission, or hardness or durability in harsh environments. Filters encompass transmission, blocking, refection, absorption, scatter, Angle of incidence, cone angles...Filters are complicated.
What has been your favorite project at Omega Optical and why?
Developing the PCR customers. It is challenging and also is good for the health of the general public.
Share a fun memory you made while working at Omega Optical.
Getting to know my peers in the sales group. We have our own brand of humor :)
What is your favorite activity to do outside of work?
Exercise and reading