After working decades in sales I decided to take a gap year and volunteer abroad. I was lucky enough to find an amazing organisation in Aberdeen - Simeon Care for the Elderly. My experience was truly life changing. Coming from a corporate management background to working one on one with people to provide care, support and activities that make a real difference to their day has been a rewarding and humbling experience. Being part of a larger group of volunteers, new friendships were formed and we all had some amazing experiences and adventures. My volunteer experience was broad:-Providing care and support to residents as part of their care plans-Supporting residents well being with daily activities, including offsite outings-Assisting with special events including set up, hosting and kitchen support-Ensuring safe moving and handling practises-Following health and safety protocols

Leading the Southern Region to deliver sales growth, customer excellence and retention through:-Business planning for effective sales and customer service improvement-Developing, executing and reviewing effectiveness of targeted marketing plans-Working with Business development for expansion and launch of new Dealer sites to capture opportunities with the market-Working with business partners to effectively capture opportunities with the prime marketing area by reviewing monthly insights for PIPO and area demographics-Implementation of State based marketing cooperative to more effectively promote offers into the market through more targetted offers and targetted mediums-Assist with the delivery of training of new products and processes-Work as a senior member of the Audi team to contribute to future month campaigns and programs that deliver results

-Account Management -Fleet Sales Solutions-Tender/ Bid preparation, response and execution-Customer sales and service-Strategic planning-Working to budgets and timelines-End to end client solutions

Working with the Dealer Network to grow profitability and improve customer satisfaction through:-strategic planning-marketing campaigns targeting the local prime marketing area-training, coaching and mentoring-end to end whole of business focus -improving service efficiency-capturing trade sale and fleet opportunities-improving sales process and systems

-Manage the end to end launch preparation and execution of product and service initiatives within Telstra's Retail Channel-Manage a team of go to market specialists to ensure that the 15 key Retail levers are executed prior to launch-Project manage the delivery of Major launches into Retail. e.g T-Hub, T-Box, Windows7, i-Phone 4, Home Bundles -Manage and lead quarterley sales planning sessions for Retail to provide input and feedback on planned initatives-Coordinate input into the retail catalogue paginations and POS creatives.-Ensure the development of sales tools and aids to compliment key in store launches.

•Identify, develop and launch marketing initiatives to drive incremental sales and revenue•Create & launch successful ‘speed to market’ sales initiatives including sprint campaigns, mobile fight back, account specific and R&R programs•Develop quarterly (and long term) strategies to sustain Partner market share•Proactively seek and identify opportunities for process improvement, and implement solutions to address training, store growth and systems improvement opportunities.•Represent and promote Dealer Channel to wider Telstra community •Identify & develop robust business cases to launch new Channel Partners •Manage risk and negotiate commercial terms for new dealerships•Responsible for critical & time sensitive projects within the Channel •Have been involved in managing staff including exposure to managing HR related matter, work reallocation and retrenchment decisions.•Analyse performance, forecast sales results and set and achieve targets•Responsible for channel event management e.g Harvey Normans staff conference•Overall ownership of the Self Service Partner model for non-account managed Independent Partners•Mentoring & training Dealer Managers & National Account ManagersAchievements:•Acting National Sales Manager for 2.5 months whilst still maintaining current role Award – Above & Beyond Award for support within Dealer Channel•Award – Successful launch of iPhone across Dealer Channel Majors such as Retravision, Fonezone, JB Hi Fi, Harvey Norman & Leading Edge•Award – for driving high levels of Siebel system usage for over 400 premises

•Serve as key head office and regional store contact for key accounts - JB HiFi, Harvey Norman & Crazy John’s•Build & maintain effective relationship with suppliers and internal stakeholders to build campaigns that focus on achieving/exceeding achieve targets.•Achieve account profitability, sales targets and revenue•Develop account strategies and execute channel marketing activity in accordance with overall channel strategy•Business development for expansion of Dealer Partner locations•Ensure dealer advertising spend results in a positive ROI for Telstra•Develop account goals and business plans with Dealer•Conduct regular reviews on business performance and promotional activities•Provide support to National Sales Manager on group reporting and analysisAchievements:•Acting National Sales Manager - managing a team of 22 Account Managers with major accounts including Harvey Norman, JB Hi Fi, Retravision, Leading Edge•Consistently exceeded KPI’s during 2006 whilst managing Crazy John’s during contract negotiations and transition. Managed this accounts exit.•Awarded Excelerate Award for performance excellence – 2007•Successfully brought on board JB HiFi account initial store roll out.•Chosen to participate in the ‘Emerging Leadership Development Program’

•Successfully managed a team or account managers who each serviced portfolio's of 14+ independent Dealers by maintaining a high level of portfolio management.•Use a highly developed contact management strategy to add value to Dealerships whilst identifying sales opportunities for Telstra.•Increase sales by initiating, developing and implementing campaigns to deliver front line performance.•Identifying training needs for dealers and retail staff and delivering training on various products, systems and campaigns.•Develop and implement 30/60/90 day marketing plans through Strategic Area Marketing (SAM) for dealerships.•Administer and managing dealers' coop and budget for various marketing initiatives for entire financial year.•Identify new business opportunities and write business development plans for dealership expansion.•Implement performance management initiatives such as contract renewals, downgrades and closures for underperforming dealers•Achieve assigned market share through effective retention, growth and win back strategies for whole of business.Achievements:•Sales Manager Award - October 2003•Special Commendation for Business Review & Development presentation - December 2003•Above & Beyond the Call’ Award - January 2003

-Management and Leadership of a team of 18+ staff members-Exceed sales and service KPI's-Regional Customer service lead-Regional Standard of Excellence assessor-Build business sales within the local areaAchievements•Top Telstra Shop Award’ for outstanding Standards of excellence score for consecutive quarters •Exceeded Customer Satisfaction Scores for 8 consecutive months •Letter of Commendation for Excellence in Customer Service from CEO of Telstra•Seconded as a Team Leader at the International Broadcast Centre during Sydney 2000 Olympics.•Initiated a sales initiative targeted at selling Telstra staff plans and products at external centres, an initiatives which is now conducted nationally from time to time.