Chuyện người làm Sales - Episode 03: Quoc Bui

In the world of sales, where targets, revenue, and KPIs are the ultimate benchmarks, few pause to ask: “What creates those numbers?”

For me, each number achieved is not just the result of sales skills or strategic approaches. At a deeper level, it’s the result of trust: trust in myself, in my colleagues, in my customers and earning their trust in return.

THE FIRST STEPS

What led you to a career in sales?

I didn’t start my career in sales. I used to work for several companies in Bình Dương with a stable income, but I felt that the environments didn’t align with my values or long-term direction. I had a simple thought: if it doesn’t fit, change it. I chose to try sales because I saw its income potential and the autonomy it offers. So, I applied to Easy Dream, the predecessor of Home Credit and officially entered a new journey in consumer finance. When I joined Home Credit, I was one of the first 13 Sales employees in the Bình Dương region.

THE LESSON

Starting out, you must have faced many challenges. How did you overcome them?

What helped me stay the course, despite the pressure and newness, was the support from my colleagues and direct manager. They weren’t just there to teach me how to consult or close a deal, but also how to stay kind and ethical in a competitive field.\ “In this job, you have to be clear, responsible, and most importantly, sincere with customers.” That was one of the most valuable lessons I learned early on.

OPPORTUNITIES ALWAYS COME WITH CHALLENGES

The path from SA to Regional Sales Manager must have been tough. Can you share more about your journey?

It all started with one thing: being proactive. After about two years in Sales, I realized I wanted to grow, not just be a top seller, but a team leader. I shared this ambition openly with my manager. Luckily, I was heard and given a chance. Instead of promoting me right away, my boss assigned me to manage one of the lowest-performing stores in the region. No one wanted the role because of the pressure. I knew I’d have to take a temporary pay cut and face more responsibility, but I accepted it as a chance to prove myself. Over six months, I focused on reviving the store’s performance, changing how we approached customers and improving overall effectiveness. Once we met our KPIs, my manager arranged for me to meet the Area Director, and I was officially nominated to become a District Sales Manager (DSM).

In the following two years, I excelled in my new role, especially in the Two-Wheelers product line. I was proud to be one of the top-performing DSMs nationwide for that product. One day, the Chief Sales Officer visited Bình Dương and had a meeting with me. I openly shared both the strengths and challenges in my region, just as a regular update.\ But a week later, I got a call from his assistant, followed by an invitation to visit the company’s headquarters. After our meeting and lunch, I was unexpectedly nominated for the Regional Sales Manager (RSM) position. It was only then that I realized those meetings were actually internal interviews for the new role. I was trusted by leadership in such an organic and unexpected way.

BEHIND EVERY NUMBER IS A STORY

Is there a sales figure or business result that you remember most? What was behind that success?

If I had to pick a few numbers to reflect my journey, they would be 3 and 380.

The number 3.

At Home Credit, we regularly hold national sales competitions. The leading region each month receives a trophy. If a region holds the top spot for three consecutive months, the trophy becomes theirs permanently. I’m proud that my team led for 9 consecutive months, winning three trophies, a testament to our unity, effort, and relentless spirit.

The number 380.

That’s the number of Sales staff I currently manage. From a team of 13 in the early days, our region has grown to 220 in Bình Dương and 380 in total. Each person has a story, first time in sales, career switchers, single parents, but all of us are working toward the same goal: delivering financial solutions to customers and improving our own lives.\ Behind those numbers is a constant journey of asking: “How can we serve our customers better?” and “How can we help our team grow every day?” For me, sustainable success comes from putting customers at the center, and people centricity. When employees feel trusted and empowered, they’ll pass that energy to customers. When customers feel sincerity, they build trust. And that trust creates lasting results.

Some milestones are reached through effort. Others happen when we truly put ourselves in others’ shoes. During my time leading the sales team, I noticed something that seemed simple but proved powerful: most of our potential customers are blue-collar workers, working shifts and only free in the evening. If we kept office-hour schedules, they’d never have the chance to access the financial services we offer. So, I proposed changing the working hours, extending to late evenings. It wasn’t an easy decision. It meant adjusting team schedules and changing how we operated. But the results proved it right: our sales tripled. Today, we’re proud to achieve, Volume CLX, over 100 billion VND/month, Credit Card with over 1,000 cards/month, Two-Wheelers Volume is leading nationwide

These numbers would’ve been unimaginable had we stuck to the old way. But for me, those numbers aren’t the ultimate point of pride. What I value more is trust.

When customers feel our sincerity, they come back. They refer friends and family. They see us not as salespeople, but as trusted financial partners. And that trust is the most sustainable kind of “sales” I’ve ever earned.

What advice would you want to give to young people starting in sales or developing their sales careers?

“Don’t rush after sales. Learn to slow down, listen, and build trust. Sales will follow as a natural outcome.”

Many of my customers came from long-term post-sale care.\ I believe: “Selling is just the first step. Retaining the customer is the real goal.” Some clients I advised three years ago have returned and brought referrals. Some shop owners I supported at the beginning have now become key partners. Trust isn’t built in one conversation, it takes consistency over time.

I emphasize 3 key elements for a successful sales career:

Love the job, because you’ll be living with it every day.
Set clear goals and stay proactive. If you see a growth opportunity, speak up and go for it. If you find a solution that benefits customers or the team, propose it,that’s how you show your value.
Build strong, trustworthy relationships with customers, peers, and leaders. That’s the foundation to stay strong and go far.

Every career story begins differently. But for me, one thing connects every step: Trust in myself, and in the path I chose. That, I believe, is the most sustainable success a salesperson can achieve.

“Chuyện người làm sales” is a storytelling series by Home Credit, featuring real people and real stories to inspire those who are stepping into or already walking the path of sales, a profession that’s challenging, but absolutely worth it.

Stay tuned for the next episodes to explore more insp iring journeys from our sales team at Home Credit!