Lizzy relaxes and smiles as she stands in a bright, well-lit ZEISS building.

ZEISS Stories | Lizzy

Achieving more together

Sales

"ZEISS? I initially thought they just made iconic camera lenses," Lizzy tells us and smiles. But what she discovered at ZEISS went far beyond photography. "It's not just about sales here but researching, exploring and innovating. ZEISS acts like a scientist constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible." This innovation culture is what attracted the sales manager more than two years ago – and it still shapes her view of the world of optics to this day. Lizzy is a sales manager and, sells solutions for ZEISS – everything from eyeglass lenses to eye-health solutions to high-tech measuring machines like the i.Profiler Plus. Her main customers are specialist retailers of optics and national key accounts in China. For Lizzy, they're not just products. They are "gateways to highly accurate diagnoses, increasingly customized solutions and, ultimately, a clearer view of life."

Lizzy stands proudly in front of ZEISS Vision equipment in her glass-walled office with her hands casually placed in her pockets.

Team spirit as a compass

The 'ZEISS Cultural Journey,' which taught her more about the company's DNA, left a lasting impression on her: "It's never about being a lone wolf, but about formulating solutions together – I believe collaboration, goal orientation and a strong focus on people's needs are what matter the most here." She practices this philosophy every day when interacting with customers. While she's in Shanghai advising specialist retailers of optics – everyone from valued partners to national key accounts – her team acts as a vital support network. "Sure, you can solve problems on your own. But genuine innovations are developed through sharing ideas," she emphasizes. An example? Integrating consumer insights into the market strategy: "Analyzing customer needs and behavior enables us to develop highly targeted strategies. Sometimes a shift in perspective is all that's needed to realize what truly matters to customers."

Lizzy chats to a female ZEISS colleague in a bright office while holding a tablet in her left hand.

From micrometers to mankind

Her day-to-day work is also challenging: "Striking the balance between technical precision and human empathy is crucial," Lizzy explains. While the devices she manages measure lenses with micrometer precision, conversations with optometrists are often about very specific matters like "How can they increase customer satisfaction?". How can they convey the value of a ZEISS lens? Here, she relies on "solutions over sales speak" which might be training on how to operate equipment or data analyses for individual business strategies. "Trust is created when you make a noticeable contribution to your partners' success," is the idea behind her actions.

It's never about being a lone wolf, but about formulating solutions together – I believe collaboration, goal orientation and a strong focus on people's needs are what matter the most here.

Lizzy Sales Manager

Grow with the flow

When it comes to the future, Lizzy would like to keep "protecting this culture of togetherness – even when there's increasing market pressure." She draws her motivation from the team's dynamics. "You never stop learning or growing at ZEISS. Whether I'm developing new ideas with colleagues from Product Development or a customer is telling me about how our varifocals changed her day-to-day life – these moments demonstrate why we're here." 'Go with the flow' is her motto in life. She doesn't ever translate this into passiveness, but into trusting openness. "When everyone pulls together, the flow comes naturally."