L Forest Working Res 2009[Jc1][1]
- 1. Linda L. Forest_____________________________ Dallas Texas * 615.943.9622 * lindalforest@yahoo.com Business Development & Applied Technology Coach Experienced professional with expertise in corporate education, consulting, and business-to- business sales (B2B). Passion is coaching decision-makers on the applied use of computer and telecommunications technologies to improve business efficiencies, internal communications, marketing, and internet exposure. Analytical Skills Office Applications Change Management Training B2B Consultative Sales Coaching Customer Support Presentation Skills Business Process Training Curriculum Development Web-based Training PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL FINANCIAL NETWORK: Tallahassee, FL 2008-2009 Technology Coach – Network Office Leadership Team Responsible for consulting with new and existing independent insurance agents to integrate complex, corporate-provided computer software designed to improve business practices. Analyzed existing business processes to identify opportunities for improving communications and business practice efficiencies. Recommended and supervised the implementation of process changes. Provided strategic and tactical training to end-users, significantly impacting the effective utilization of Northwestern Mutual’s home-office provided software in the areas of Network Office Recruiting, Compliance Supervision, Operations, W ebsites, and agency-building activity tracking. Users reported a 20% increase in skill levels and operational improvements within the first eight months. Fast Track Sales School Instructor. Performed Network Office Intranet Administration functions to improve intra-office communications and reference material support. Facilitated change throughout various levels of management, business experience, and technology expertise. Increased integration of core business tools (PNA2.0 Personal Needs Analysis) from 20% to 40% during 2008, projected to increase the quantity and quality of sales for new representatives. FOREST AND ASSOCIATES General Manager: Dallas TX 1989-2005 Formulated and executed new business plan for a multi-line sales organization covering Texas and Oklahoma, representing from seven to twelve manufacturers of value-engineered hospitality products (including commercial lighting, carpeting, granite counters and flooring). 100% commission-based income. Able to generate revenue, manage expenses, and establish a profitable venture in less than eighteen months. Increased specifications by more than 800% in the first two years; providing excellent exposure and revenue increases for the companies we represented.
- 2. Linda L. Forest, cont. Designed and created innovative website, producing nation-wide leads for our manufacturers, at a time that many did not have their own websites. Benefit to them was credibility, market exposure, and leads that reached even beyond our territory. IBM CORPORATION: Memphis, St. Louis, and Dallas 1974-1988 Advisory Instructor/Executive Course Development and Implementation Conducted client and customer executive management education to create competitive advantage and establish how IBM’s solutions increased profits and reduced costs. Achieved exceptional customer feed-back ratings on the quality of presentations and my ability to communicate valuable, complex information in a non-technical manner, resulting in increased sales to local representatives. Selected as member of an elite sales consulting team, educating over 1400 executives, and increasing revenue to IBM account teams by $220 million in 1988. Traveled extensively throughout the U.S.A., Asia, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, and South America to implement new technology in key accounts. Attained reputation as an extraordinary cross-cultural communicator, including areas unfamiliar with women in management, building strong customer relationships. Staff Systems Engineer Developed and delivered sales support programs in a five state region. Influenced territory engineers and marketing representatives to sell advanced telecommunications products, overcoming resistance to change and reluctance to encourage clients to act. Provided expert support to key accounts in competitive sales situations. Part of the consultative sales team available to local branch offices. Sales Representative Small Computer Systems Sales. Consistently exceeded quota objectives in various territories. Obtained six 100% Clubs for exceeding annual quota. Awarded prestigious “Rookie of the Year” for surpassing sales and profit quotas in my first year of sales. Developed and delivered internal new and existing product presentations, at management’s request, to boost the knowledge and proficiency of other sales representatives and engineers. EDUCATION & LICENSES University of Texas at Arlington, Master of Arts in Organizational Design (coursework) B.A., Wittenberg University, City State. Major: Speech/Theatre IBM Presidents’ Class (by invitation, taught by IBM and Harvard Business School) Berlitz School of Language, Conversational Spanish (coursework) Series 6 and Series 63 Insurance License – State of Florida, NMIS Registered Representative COMPUTER PROFICIENCIES (Able to Instruct Users) Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point, Windows, Database Concepts, Quicken, QuickBooks Pro, ACT, Publishing & Presentations Software, Project Management Concepts, Web Design Concepts