Meet Mats Ståhl

Defining ambitious short-term and long-term sales goals is what leads to constant development and growth, says Mats Ståhl, sales manager at TV4 in Sweden. Ståhl, who started at TV4 in 2005, has continually focused on the bigger picture within the company and the media market. "Make sure you read and understand the company's goals for the next years," he says. "Develop a clear plan and clear goals one, two and three years ahead."

Ståhl and fellow nominee Johan Fernqvist are in charge of national sales for TV4, TV4 Plus, TV4 Fakta, TV11 and TV4 Film. Ståhl's leadership style is to let the people he manages develop and then increase responsibilities as competency increases. "Your own leadership development should be in line with the development of your group," he says. "Involve your staff in the plans, so that they have the same goals as you. Our task is to coach our sales team according to the company's goals."

Being nominated for the Bonnier Sales Awards Sales Manager of the Year makes Ståhl extremely happy, but he knows it was a collective effort from the whole team. "I'm proud of being nominated because it means we've delivered what our management has expected of us during 2010," he says. "To be honest, if one of our sales team wins the Bonnier Sales Awards, we're all happy and proud."