Thomas Oliphant Email & Phone Number

Responsible for all operations, finance, sales and customer relations, day to day.In early stages, decided upon the organization form, and conducted marketing research for a year traveling extensively to music stores across the USA to access the nature of their operations and their product needs.With results of the marketing research, designed the product to correspond to store needs, and traveled to supply sources in China to establish manufacturing relationships and contracts. Setup logistics operations with a distribution center in Austin, Texas to provide third party order fulfillment and inventory storage on a variable cost basis.Traveled to most music stores in most states with samples, cold calling to present the product and company operational philosophy. Established a network of over 300 independent music stores representing us in all continental USA states.Handled all customer contact and relationships personally, as well as all orders, making certain all dealers were contacted at least on a monthly basis.Responsible for the creation and procurement of the company catalog, the company web site, and all retail advertising, as well as managing our presence and booth designs at the industry trade shows.Traveled extensively to China at least twice a year to work on new product and designs, as well as to further strong relationships with our manufacturers.With the use of Quick Books handled all company accounting personally. Worked with a CPA firm in Austin for required government reports and tax returns.Managed arrangements for container shipping and customs brokerage for door to door shipping from China to Austin, and required US government import reports.Consulted with dealers on store designs and proven product mixes for retail success, not just with Ventura product, but with music product and brands in general. Also provided consultation on store lesson and repair operations as well.

Mckinney, Texas, United States

Responsible for all operations, finance, sales and customer relations, day to day.In early stages, decided upon the organization form, and conducted marketing research for a year traveling extensively to music stores across the USA to access the nature of their operations and their product needs.With results of the marketing research, designed the product to correspond to store needs, and traveled to supply sources in China to establish manufacturing relationships and contracts. Setup logistics operations with a distribution center in Austin, Texas to provide third party order fulfillment and inventory storage on a variable cost basis.Traveled to most music stores in most states with samples, cold calling to present the product and company operational philosophy. Established a network of over 300 independent music stores representing us in all continental USA states.Handled all customer contact and relationships personally, as well as all orders, making certain all dealers were contacted at least on a monthly basis.Responsible for the creation and procurement of the company catalog, the company web site, and all retail advertising, as well as managing our presence and booth designs at the industry trade shows.Traveled extensively to China at least twice a year to work on new product and designs, as well as to further strong relationships with our manufacturers.With the use of Quick Books handled all company accounting personally. Worked with a CPA firm in Austin for required government reports and tax returns.Managed arrangements for container shipping and customs brokerage for door to door shipping from China to Austin, and required US government import reports.Consulted with dealers on store designs and proven product mixes for retail success, not just with Ventura product, but with music product and brands in general. Also provided consultation on store lesson and repair operations as well.

Fort Worth, Texas, United States

Responsibility for the day-to-day management of all functions and activities, as well as for providing direction, a budget, and the frequent monitoring of results.After extensive analytical study of the method of sales force compensation and its results, developed, suggested and executed a variable commission plan on profit that played a key role in increasing GP in excess of three points over two yearsPreviously the firm had no annual operating plan and budget. Developed and executed an operating plan and budget annually, along with extensive monitoring and reporting of actual results against plan, with several key financial ratiosOversaw the planning and execution of a complete warehousing reorganization that significantly increased productivity, maximized storage capacity, and assured our ability to ship orders the same day, in a highly variable seasonal business.Developed a considerable variety of sales promotional programs that had the desired impact of recharging enthusiasm in the sales force and increasing results.Performed intricate and various analytical studies of costs, especially ever rising freight costs, and suggested and executed changes in compensation methods and customer service charges to help recover some of the increased company cost.Suggested, planned and oversaw an annual company trade show for customers that was an industry first in scope, had heavy supplier participation, and generally was regarded as the most successfully executed in the industry.Initiated and oversaw dramatic changes in content and presentation of company advertising, flyers, and catalogs. Such was regarded as industry leading, and led to considerably greater customer interest in, and attention to the publications.Developed several performance-based bonus plans for management and the sales force. In the case of the warehouse, such bonus plans included both management and individual employees, and significantly increased productivity and quality of operations.

Fort Worth, Texas, United States

Responsibility for the day-to-day management of all functions and activities, as well as for providing direction, a budget, and the frequent monitoring of results.After extensive analytical study of the method of sales force compensation and its results, developed, suggested and executed a variable commission plan on profit that played a key role in increasing GP in excess of three points over two yearsPreviously the firm had no annual operating plan and budget. Developed and executed an operating plan and budget annually, along with extensive monitoring and reporting of actual results against plan, with several key financial ratiosOversaw the planning and execution of a complete warehousing reorganization that significantly increased productivity, maximized storage capacity, and assured our ability to ship orders the same day, in a highly variable seasonal business.Developed a considerable variety of sales promotional programs that had the desired impact of recharging enthusiasm in the sales force and increasing results.Performed intricate and various analytical studies of costs, especially ever rising freight costs, and suggested and executed changes in compensation methods and customer service charges to help recover some of the increased company cost.Suggested, planned and oversaw an annual company trade show for customers that was an industry first in scope, had heavy supplier participation, and generally was regarded as the most successfully executed in the industry.Initiated and oversaw dramatic changes in content and presentation of company advertising, flyers, and catalogs. Such was regarded as industry leading, and led to considerably greater customer interest in, and attention to the publications.Developed several performance-based bonus plans for management and the sales force. In the case of the warehouse, such bonus plans included both management and individual employees, and significantly increased productivity and quality of operations.