Benjamin Parkes Email & Phone Number

London, United Kingdom

YouTuber.. creating content across social media channels in the running and fitness industry. Endurance running coach and sub-elite athlete in the marathon and ultra running scene, with a 2:25 marathon PB. Design, manufacture and sell a range of running hats worldwide.

London, United Kingdom

“As experts in business, we offer our members a wide range of vital business services including advice, financial expertise, support and a powerful voice in government. Our aim is to help smaller businesses achieve their ambitions.”OutlineOperationally leading the London and South East region, in the UK across 18 franchised self employed sales territories. With direct reporting line to MD. Selling memberships to the largest business support organisation in the UK. Key Responsibilities• Directing a team of 18 direct reports across London, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk, Berkshire.• Managing the end-to-end recruiting process of new team members on an employed/self-employed basis – telephone interviews, F2F interviews, appointing, on boarding and on-going training development on IT, product knowledge and managing a business.• Setting KPI targets and monitoring progress with daily calls to Area Sales Managers.• Performing field visits 4 days per week visiting 8 sites for appraisals.• Analysing sales performance and reporting MI to senior Management weekly/monthly/yearly with regular attendance at HO senior management meetings.Key Achievements• Complete restructure of area on appointment. Removal of under performing franchises and recruitment of 7 new franchises within first 4 months.• Development of new franchise areas, by creating new sales territories and vastly increasing potential revenue.

London, United Kingdom

OutlineOperationally leading the top-performing region (3 years consecutively) in the UK across 62 franchised territories for 2 distinct sales brands, The Book People and The Gift People. With direct reporting line to MD.Key Responsibilities• Directing a team of 110 direct reports across Suffolk, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Bedfordshire, Sussex, Berkshire, London, Kent, Surrey and Hampshire.• Managing the end-to-end recruiting process of new team members on an employed/self-employed basis – adverts, telephone interviews, F2F interviews, credit checks, employment contracts, on boarding and on-going training development on IT, product knowledge and managing a business.• Weekly forecasting, setting KPI targets and monitoring progress with daily calls to franchisees.• Performing field visits 4 days per week visiting 8 sites for appraisals.• Analysing sales performance and reporting MI to senior Management weekly/monthly/yearly with regular attendance at HO senior management meetings.Key Achievement/Projects• No.1 Regional Business Manager out of 6 nationally (2014 & 2015) and YTD 2016 with the top 2 franchisees (5 in the top 10) out of 130 nationally.• Performance managed the no.2 franchisee to incrementally increase revenue generation for the last 3 years consecutively - £454k FY2015, £485k FY2016 and tracking for £505k FY 2017.• Slashed operational costs through supplier negotiation on vehicles, sign writing and storage facilities.• Developed a monthly PDF with new products to motivate franchisees, which has been adopted companywide.• Created a newsletter targeting productivity, conversion rates, revenues, new product launches and league tables to engage and focus my team to meet all 8 KPIs.• Handpicked to perform motivational speaking and award prizes at the annual sales conference attended by over 300 people.• Achieved promotion twice, from Sales Support and RBM Scotland roles to the flagship area for the business due to excellent performance.

London, United Kingdom

Began within the field management team, recruiting and interviewing new distributors, helping organise conferences, running competitions, launching a new e-commerce website, dealing with distributor related paperwork and main link between Field Management and Head Office.This role then developed into a Field based management position working alongside existing and specifically new distributors to fully train, inspire and develop them into the ways of the company. Role based on offering on-site help, advice, direction and solutions to growing and expanding business, customer base, revenue and profits while keeping momentum flowing in the right direction. The role covered the South East, South West, North and Scotland, meaning constant travel, dedication and long working hours. Constant dialogue between Head Office, other Field Managers and myself to instill the very best working practices within all distributors to be proud to work for and be the best in direct sales. Designed, launched and moderate an online discussion forum for all distributors to congregate together. Has paved the way to distribute targeted marketing material direct to distributors, which has led to above average sales in the first quarter of 2011. Instant feedback for buying team, plus wealth of resources instantly available, including weekly sales 'Champs’ magazine which I also help to compile each week.Daily feedback reporting of distributor performence, being the ‘go-to’ person for any field problems or queries, cermenting the valuable link between the Field and Head Office and instilling confidence in the work force to believe in what they are doing, and why, for the best for the company is what my working day is based around. Working at the forefront of a national retail company has given me a great insight into the world of sales, along with the importance of forging business relationships with clients and customers.

Guildford, United Kingdom

Outline360 managed and ran 5 retail stores in the south of the UK, selling candles, giftware and seasonal items. Key Achievements• Opened 4 new sites within 2 months, allowing for best festive trading season on record.• Hired and trained all new staff, resulting in best ever monthly revenues generated of £145k.• Set and agreed all KPI’s with store managers, regular monitoring and performance management.

Guildford

OutlineFormed a SME selling distressed bespoke benches and home furnishings online and through mail order catalogues to self-fund my University degree.Key Achievements• Achieved national press coverage in Country Living, Good Housekeeping, Period Living, Period Ideas and the Evening Standard.• Developed contracts with 12 retailers around the UK as well as direct sales on a B2C basis.