General Manager Sales

Dale Wong
604 Harmony Lane
Pleasantville, CA 94588
(925) 555-1234

GENERAL MANAGER • STATE REGIONAL MANAGER
• SALES & MARKETING SPECIALIST

Senior management professional, entrepreneur, and business strategist with a proven record for steering business turnarounds, facilitating lucrative transitions to new markets, and creating solid internal structures that are both expandable for future growth, and responsive to customer expectations. Results- and success-driven history of driving six-fold increase in revenue growth through big-picture vision, creativity, and an intuitive sense for ‘what works’ in marketing, advertising, and product development. Decisive leadership style is underscored by fiscal acuity, an appreciation for the power of teams to excel, and a genuine commitment to transparent communications with vendors, staff, and clients.

Professional strengths include:
Ÿ Product Marketing & Advertising
Ÿ Policy Development
Ÿ Team Leadership
Ÿ Key Account Management
Ÿ Consultative Sales
Ÿ Budgeting/Cost Containment
Ÿ Productivity Increases
Ÿ Contract Negotiations
Ÿ Strategic Alliance Development
Ÿ Project Management
Ÿ Product Development/Ranging
Ÿ Process Reengineering
Ÿ Conflict Mediation
Ÿ Vendor Relationships
Ÿ Market Expansion

Technology summary: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Internet, Email, Windows NT/2000/XP/ME/98/95, MYOB, Retail Manager POS, Business Plan Pro 2003, MS Project, ACT!

BENCHMARKS & MILESTONES

· Orchestrated a complete business transformation for Oasis Casual, transitioning the enterprise from a wholesale operation to a high-performing, high-growth retailer that circumvented declining markets to deliver profitable revenue streams—increasing turnover by 50% in just three-years.
· Produced 500% ROI on catalogue marketing campaign, nominated for “Best Sale Catalogue” by the Catalogue Association annual awards.
· Lost no key staff members in 3-years despite the introduction of a substantial cultural change.
· Grew client base from 50 to 300+ for Oasis Umbrellas, and infiltrated corporate sales arena supplying product to market leaders.
· Secured $350K deal with retailer Harvey Norman to stock umbrella products nationally.

EMPLOYMENT SNAPSHOT

OASIS CASUAL PTY LTD, Oakleigh
2001–Present
Managing Director

OASIS UMBRELLAS PTY LTD, Huntingdale
1995–2001
Managing Director

LEND LEASE EMPLOYER SERVICES (PAYLINE), Mulgrave
1995
Account Manager

EXPERIENCE NARRATIVE

OASIS CASUAL PTY LTD, Oakleigh
2001–Present
Managing Director
Steered revolutionary change across the entire business infrastructure. The wholesale to retail operational transition reshaped future directions and produced the launch pad for a six-fold increase in revenues in 3-years.
Initial challenges appeared daunting. Limited branding and rudimentary retail sales experience were clearly negatives, as was the operational structure employing systems and procedures removed from the retailing sector. Fundamental shifts in operations and in the mindset of the business principals were critical for long-term success.
Combated skill gaps by employing experienced retail specialists into key roles, and relocated operation to a high-traffic location. Devised new systems and procedures, revamped branding and promotional campaigns, re-negotiated supply contracts, and fostered a culture of service and quality.
Results were impressive:
· Transformed building “shell” to retail operation in 8-weeks. Coordinated fit-out and tradespersons, and delivered project on time to lean $50K budget.
· In 12-months wholesale turnover was replaced with a profitable retail revenue stream; by year 3, turnover had increased by 50% to $1.5 million.
· Spearheaded an employee-retention program that encouraged staff to participate fully in creating a harmonious workplace, and offered enhanced skills development through sales training. 3-years later, all key staff members have remained loyal to the company.
· Negotiated wholesale pricing discounts of up to 25% on an exclusive product range.
· Achieved record growth in 2002/2003 season, where Victorian competitors experienced stagnate or contracted revenues. Feedback from suppliers has commended best store presentation and well-rounded product ranges.
· Introduced leading technologies to the business incorporating point-of-sale functionality and a marketing analysis tracking system measuring “foot traffic,” conversion ratios, average and year-to-date sales to budget, and the success of advertising campaigns.
· Revamped product range and produced a manual that highlighted key product features.
· Boosted enquiry-to-sales conversion rate increases by 33% and elevated average sales by 10% through conducting solution-based sales training that aligned customer needs with product benefits.
· Pioneered industry ‘first’ by offering a 7-day satisfaction guarantee or full refund that surpassed competitor offerings.
· Delivered an exceptional 500% ROI on combination catalogue, print and media campaign. Managed 6-week catalogue development project from product selection, pricing, and photography locations, through design and theme phases.
· Invited to enter the Catalogue Association’s annual awards for Best Sale Catalogue further cementing the company’s reputation for producing quality marketing collateral.
· Pioneered a referral/reward marketing strategy that expressed gratitude to customers for personal recommendations via thank-you note, bottle of wine, and further referral incentives. Referral business grew 22% from the previous year.

OASIS UMBRELLAS PTY LTD, Huntingdale
1995–2001
Managing Director
Immediately identified core issues affecting growth, and introduced competitive solutions that reaped handsome dividends. Delivered a profit for the first time in 2-years, quadrupled revenues, and grew the client base by 500%.
Key contributions:
· Eliminated oversupply of uninspiring, substandard, and overpriced products via a “direct to the public” clearance centre, and simultaneously sourced new and expanded ranges from diverse supply channels set to appeal to quality customers with an eye for innovation and competitive pricing.
· Appointed sales agents throughout Australia to expand brand recognition and elevate product reputation nation-wide. Client base grew from just 50 to 300+ including Harvey Norman and Barbeques Galore.
· Personally created marketing collateral to support products and attract a new client base. Critically scrutinized competitor offerings and invested many hours in surveying customer expectations.
· Distinguished as the first company selected by high-profile retailer Harvey Norman to supply market umbrellas nationally—a deal that delivered $350,000 in additional company revenues.
· Cut warranty and faulty stock claims by 90% in first year of operation by introducing a quality control system that carefully reviewed end-product stability, safe operation and superior presentation against key criteria.
· Recruited team of specialists to oversee fulfillment and ordering.
· Streamlined operations and broadened infrastructure to facilitate growth.
· Infiltrated the corporate sales arena, supplying printed market umbrellas to market leaders including: Carlton and United Breweries for Lite Ice, Carlton Gold and Stella Artoir brands ($50K); Danone International for the Evian Spring Water brand ($25K); Valcorp Holdings for La Vazza Coffee ($10K), Luna Park outdoor dining ($15K), South Australian Thoroughbred Racing Association for TAB branded umbrellas ($25K).

LEND LEASE EMPLOYER SERVICES (PAYLINE), Mulgrave
1995
Account Manager
Recruited to source new business opportunities by securing audiences with business owners and financial controllers, and promoting the benefits of outsourced payroll services in reducing the financial and administrative burdens associated with processing.
Took a lead role in revamping employee induction training considered a contributing factor to high staff turnover; considered disjointed and ad hoc by management and trainees alike, the information sessions were releasing staff to deal with customers with little conviction or advanced product knowledge.
Successfully built case for a more intensive training program that would fast track new sales recruits and reverse prolonged period of unproductive selling.
Progressed into a dual role implementing the training program, and securing new business contacts prior to launching into small business enterprise.

LINK TELECOMMUNICATIONS, Melbourne
1992–1995
Sales Corporate Account Manager
Source new business opportunities from a designated territory/portfolio.
· Won company’s first and only “Sales Achievers” trip to Hong Kong, recognizing achievement of 110% to budget.
· Promoted twice in 1994 to positions of increasing complexity and authority.
· Achieved budget every year.
· Acknowledged for lowest ratio of cancelled contracts within the state attributed to high levels of customer service.

EDUCATION | CREDENTIALS

Advanced Certificate, Accounting
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (1992)

Training highlights include: Professional Selling Skills • Advanced Development Strategies
PRWRA
Gayle M. Howard -getinterviews@topmargin.com - Top Margin - http://www.topmargin.com