Diversified Search Group logoChief Operating Officer, ConsultingChief Operating Officer, ConsultingDiversified Search Group · Full-timeDiversified Search Group · Full-time2018 - Jan 2024 · 6 yrs 1 mo2018 to Jan 2024 · 6 yrs 1 moAtlanta, Georgia, United States · RemoteAtlanta, Georgia, United States · RemoteAcquired by Diversified Search Group in January 2023Yardstick Management was named Inc. Magazine’s BEST Management Consulting firm in Americain December 2022. We support Organizational Strategy, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belongingand Talent Acquisition at the world’s most recognizable companies. We were also named the 2023#10 Professional Services Firm in the World by Real Leaders Magazine and the 2022 and 2021 BestConsulting Firm in Georgia by the Georgia Business Journal and named Inc Magazine’s 2021 BestIn Business in America for HR Firms. Our comprehensive services help organizations transform theirculture as well as attract and retain the most senior-level diverse executives to their C-Suites andBoards. Yardstick has a proven track record of successful transformation and is trusted by the most influential organizations in the world.

Yardstick Management is the nation’s leading Black-Owned Management Consulting firm supporting Organizational Strategy, Executive Search, Talent Acquisition Strategies, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging consulting at the world’s most recognizable companies. Our comprehensive services help organizations transform their culture as well as attract and retain the most senior-level diverse executives to their C-Suites and Boards.Yardstick has a proven track record of successful transformation and is trusted by the largest companies in the world.

• Provided oversight and adjudicated applications for Alien Employment Certification in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, standard operating procedures, and directives issued from the National Office of Foreign Labor Certification• Staffed the contract to fully support the business needs of the Office of Foreign Labor Certification• Streamlined the RFP process for maximum productivity and efficiency; suggest optional services; adherence to timelines for maximum productivity• Lead a team of Operational Support Analyst performing analysis and adjudicating applications for Alien Employment Certification• Implemented an outsourcing strategy to maximize internal utilization of resources• Ensured that all projects and deliverables were completed timely, and exceeded all client expectations• Conducted project post-mortems and created recommendations to identify successful and unsuccessful project elements• Responsible for documenting and creating business rules including stated objectives, incentive duration, vendor requirements, and budgetary expectations; managed client action plans and delivery compliance• Established strategic partnerships with Federal counterparts at the Department of Labor/ National Office of Foreign Labor Certification

• Conversion of new business/sales opportunities into year-over-year profit improvement of 6% YTD• Manage/Develop a team of account managers with on-boarding and retention activities for customer accounts• Exceeded sales quota by 65% quarterly for 2 consecutive quarters in 2014, grew sales to $14 million within 6 months• Negotiate new sales contracts yielding $4 million in quarterly sales• Grew existing customer base by an average of 20 accounts annually through fundamental sales practices: prospecting, competitive pricing, and networking• Building and maintaining key strategic relationships with our paper clients• Servicing the targeted customer base in a way that profitably anticipates and satisfies their needs • Provide inputs/recommendations for pricing strategy development and profitable deployment • Prioritize and deploy the organization’s resources consistent with Business Unit objectives • Apply continuous improvement to the sales process to improve business execution and results• Mentored other members of the sales team, providing guidance and sales coaching methodology

• Managed a multi-million dollar project to develop global consumer risk assessment plans for call centers.• Developed a scorecard for monitoring and assessing associate performance, leading to improved customer interactions.• Reduced average handle times by 12% through a proficiency model to enhance associate knowledge and skills.

• Managed $180 million direct import business for 2,200 stores, exceeding 2009 sales plan by $18MM.• Increased gross margin by 20% through strategic pricing strategies and vendor negotiations.• Ensured 98% fill-rates with on-time delivery by coordinating with vendors, logistics, and distribution centers.

• Managed a $13MM drama DVD category, maximizing capacity and sales during peak seasons through strategic initiatives.• Cultivated long-term relationships with major movie studios to ensure industry-leading transactional excellence.• Developed effective product placement strategies to capitalize on assortments and negotiated pricing proposals.