Ben Acosta
Charleston,SC
Summary
To seek and maintain full-time position that offers professional challenges utilizing interpersonal skills, excellent time management and problem-solving skills. Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy. Accomplished Agent with proven track record of exceeding aggressive sales objectives. Known for strong interpersonal skills and to develop loyal customer relationships. Skilled Agent experienced in identifying the needs of the client and working to find a solution promptly and professionally.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Agent
New York Life Insurance Co
Charleston, SC
01.2024 - Current
- Built strong relationships with clients through consistent communication and excellent customer service.
- Responded to customer calls swiftly to resolve issues and answer questions.
- Developed comprehensive knowledge of various insurance products, enabling effective recommendations for clients'' unique situations.
- Established a solid reputation within the community as a knowledgeable and reliable resource for all things insurancerelated.
- Utilized CRM software to manage client relationships.
- Facilitated smooth transitions between carriers when needed, minimizing disruptions to client coverage and maintaining positive relationships with all parties involved.
- Calculated premiums and established payment methods for sales.
- Generated leads through cold-calling, networking and other outreach methods.
- Finalized sales and collected necessary deposits.
- Created sources for continuous client referrals within community and with businesses using extensive networking skills.
- Resolved complex claims issues, advocating on behalf of clients to ensure fair settlements.
- Created detailed reports for management to track performance and sales.
- Streamlined administrative tasks, improving overall office efficiency and productivity.
Insurance Specialist
Bankers Life Insurance
North Charleston, SC
08.2023 - 01.2024
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by addressing insurance-related inquiries and resolving issues promptly.
- Processed eligibility and benefits verification and authorization requests.
- Followed up on denials, late payments, extensions and other special circumstances.
- Tracked pending authorizations to resolve discrepancies and avoid revenue loss.
- Maintained high standards of customer service by building relationships with clients.
- Simplified complex insurance concepts for clients, facilitating informed decision-making regarding policy options.
- Expedited resolution of disputed claims through effective negotiation with claimants, attorneys, or third-party carriers.
- Supported underwriting department by meticulously reviewing applications for accuracy and risk assessment.
- Educated clients on insurance policies and procedures.
- Approached potential clients by using direct marketing mailings and phone contacts.
- Conducted annual reviews of existing policies to update information.
- Evaluated competitors' products and services to gain competitive advantage.
Senior Marketing Consultant
LM Communications
Charleston, SC
01.2023 - 08.2023
- Increased brand awareness by developing and implementing strategic marketing campaigns.
- Traveled nationally and internationally to meet with customers and deliver clear company messages.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure cohesive messaging and successful product launches.
- Managed relationships with external vendors for timely delivery of high-quality services within budget constraints.
- Expanded market share through competitive analysis and identification of new opportunities for growth.
- Implemented automated workflows using CRM software, improving lead nurturing efforts and increasing conversions.
- Established partnerships with complementary businesses to create mutually beneficial co-marketing initiatives.
- Achieved client vision and marketing objectives by collaborating with various departments.
- Maximized advertising efforts by developing content for media relations, corporate communications, and social media posts.
CONSULTANT
Hilliard Office Solutions
08.2022 - 12.2022
- Streamlined operational processes and workflow to increase efficiency of team performance and resource allocation
- Cut delivery times through initiative-taking tracking and monitoring of project timelines and aggressive pursuit of customer approval of digital and print files
- Well versed on Konica Minolta and HP product line, along with managed IT services and elevate phone systems
- Written 250k in revenue with 30% plus gross profit in first 3 months on employment, with a pipeline for an additional 200k in revenue to close out 2022
- Achieved monthly sales goals by promoting product benefits and enrolling new client
- Daily telemarketing for new clients
- Retain excellent client satisfaction by following up with clients throughout and after the sales process
- Met with existing and prospects to discuss business needs and evaluate to recommend optimal solutions to increase profits.
DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING
Gap Hotels
01.2022 - 06.2022
- Performed competitive analyses and adjusted sales and marketing strategies accordingly
- Analyzed sales and marketing data to improve strategies
- Organized events and product presentations related to national conferences and conventions
- Cultivated and maintained strategic alliances with key partners and vendors helping with products and services as trying to rebound form covid shutdown
- Resolved problems with high-profile clients to maintain relationships and increase return customer base
- Managed accounts to retain existing relationships and grow market share
- Increased ADR and occupancy by 30%.
SALE REPRESENTATIVE
Zeno Office Solutions
07.2021 - 11.2021
- Increased sales by offering advice on purchases and promoting additional services
- Achieved monthly sales goals by promoting product benefits and enrolling new clients
- Retained excellent client satisfaction rating through outstanding service delivery
- Reached out to clients after completing sale to evaluate satisfaction and determine any immediate service requirements
- Increased sales by offering consultation on additional products and services
- Managed over fifty calls per day and increased book of business by 25%.
AREA DIRECTOR OF SALES
MCR Development LLC
05.2015 - 06.2021
- Performed competitive analyses to help adjust sales and marketing strategies accordingly
- Analyzed sales and marketing data to improve strategies
- Organized events and product presentations related to national conferences and conventions
- Cultivated and maintained strategic alliances with key partners and vendors
- Mentoring sales staff and motivating team to attain monthly and quarterly budgets
- Managed a sales team of seven sale managers for seven hotels in the Midland and Odessa area
- Maximized programs and promotions offered by Marriott and Hilton
- Prospecting opportunities for occupancy to help increase RevPAR and assist revenue management with laying in mix of sales
- Opening teams for Courtyard by Marriott and Homewood Suited by Hilton.
AREA SALES MANAGER
MCR Development LLC
12.2014 - 05.2015
- Built lasting relationships with clients through outstanding customer service interactions
- Exceeded targets by building, directing, and motivating high-performing sales team
- Established strong relationships with major accounts and key decision makers to increase sales in designated territory
- Monitored customer buying trends, market conditions, and competitors' actions to adjust strategies and achieve sales goals
- Reported sales activity, generated sale quotations and proposals and maintained customer contact database to achieve sales objectives and quotas.
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Konica Minolta Business Solutions US
05.2011 - 12.2014
- Maintained contact information database by keeping account details updated, clear, and relevant
- Contributed to annual revenue goals by selling new services and developing new accounts
- Obtained pricing deals, negotiated contracts, and solidified beneficial agreements
- Met with new clients to share product and service information, listen to needs and learn about their business operations
- Managed and mentored team of account executives
- Promoted company offerings to diverse customer with targeted and disciplined approaches
- Cold calling prospects to explain partnership benefits, representing company values
- Increased new client base by 10% year over year.
Media Consultant
Hearst Corporation
09.2007 - 05.2011
- Increased brand awareness through creation of innovative print and digital productions for major publications
- Led implementation of best practices to support customer service satisfaction initiatives
- Engaged in professional networking to maintain strong relationships with communications and media professionals to drive partnerships and effective dissemination of mass communications
- Prepared for public relations presentations and plans by gathering information on business objectives, vision, brand strategy, competition, and industry trends
- Oversaw professional social media messaging through content development, followers' engagement, social listening, trend analysis and by leveraging competitor research
- Studied objectives, promotional policies or needs of an organization to develop public relations strategies influencing public opinion or promoting ideas
- Created unified messaging of public relations efforts in conjunction with advertising campaigns by working closely with marketing peers.
Executive Search Consultant
SOS Professional
11.2006 - 09.2007
- Formulated sourcing campaigns in collaboration with leaders and sourcing team to attract candidates
- Used consultive selling skills and probing questions to uncover candidates motivates or needs
- Presented qualified candidates to clients by writing compelling cover letters and submitting with required information
- Screened interested candidates according to position and client parameters to evaluate qualifications for position, interest level, readiness to relocate, and community fit
- Conducted face to face meetings with candidates before client interviews to build rapport, answer questions, and prepare to make decision
- Pre-screened resumes prior to sending to corporate hiring managers for consideration
- Coordinated implementation of people-related services, policies, and programs through departmental staff
- Assisted senior management with making key decisions by developing and submitting performance and compensation reports with status updates and improvement recommendations.
Account Executive
Clear Channel Radio
01.2006 - 10.2006
- Built and strengthened relationships with new and existing accounts to drive revenue growth
- Prospected new clientele through networking, cold calling, canvassing and referrals
- Drove new business development through qualifying leads, building rapport, and executing strategic sales
- Strengthened customer relationships with initiative-taking and collaborative approach to managing needs
- Managed sales cycle from first contact to established customer sale and maintained solid customer base
- Reviewed accounts monthly to monitor and track customer satisfaction and complaints
- Contacted customer as issues arose to provide prompt resolution
- Identified client business needs by gaining understanding of goals, objectives, and processes
- Qualified leads, built relationships, and executed sales strategies to drive new business
- Cold calling, canvassed, and obtained referrals to develop sales pipeline.
Business to Business Account Executive
Sprint PCS
07.2005 - 01.2006
- Mastered and constantly improved sales prospecting, follow-up and upsell
- Engaged in daily cold calls in-person and via telephone and followed with small business prospects monthly to verify pipeline sufficiency
- Contributed long-term sales strategy ideas to team to promote continuing business success
- Attained deep and through knowledge of company's products and solutions to help accomplish mutual success and partnership between buyer and seller
- Developed and managed strong and growing pipelines of prospective small business customers.
Area Manager, MES Territory Manager, Field Manager
Wireless Retail Inc
06.2001 - 06.2005
- Conducted training sessions to educate employees on best practices and procedures to increase profitability
- Oversaw budget planning, strategy development, community outreach for organization
- Increased profits through effective sales training, troubleshooting P&L areas, and training new managers on web-based collecting systems and key sales tactics
- Resolved conflicts promptly to promote positive environment for customers
- Directed workforce planning, customer retention, and customer service management for multiple locations
- Transformed underperforming teams into productive, profitable teams
- Coordinated and scheduled field personnel to cover operations throughout assigned regional area
- Drove revenues and team morale by developing and deploying sales contest
- Helped with developing and rolling out sister companies (Hi-tech and Trio Wireless) of Wireless Retail Inc.
Store Manager
Cellular Warehouse
07.1999 - 07.2001
- Managed inventory control, cash control, and store opening and closing procedures
- Managed store employees successfully in challenging environment through initiative-taking communication and positive feedback
- Completed point of sale opening and closing procedures
- Maximized sales and minimized shrinkage through excellent customer service and adherence to standard practices.
Education
Accounting And Business Management
University of North Texas
Denton, TXHigh School Diploma -
Robert E Lee High School
Midland, TX05.1996
Skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Positive Attitude
- Customer service and care
- Relationship Building
- Customer service abilities
- Organizational Skills
- Polite communication skills
- Sales closing
- Schedule Management
- Professional Networking
- Meeting Coordination
- Contract Negotiations
- Sales strategy development
- Sales team training
- Motivational Skills
- Product Knowledge
- Account Management
- Rapport and relationship building
- Market Research
- Brand-building strategies
- Key Account Management
- Revenue Forecasting
- Document Management
- Business Analytics
Timeline
Agent
New York Life Insurance Co
01.2024 - Current
Insurance Specialist
Bankers Life Insurance
08.2023 - 01.2024
Senior Marketing Consultant
LM Communications
01.2023 - 08.2023
CONSULTANT
Hilliard Office Solutions
08.2022 - 12.2022
DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING
Gap Hotels
01.2022 - 06.2022
SALE REPRESENTATIVE
Zeno Office Solutions
07.2021 - 11.2021
AREA DIRECTOR OF SALES
MCR Development LLC
05.2015 - 06.2021
AREA SALES MANAGER
MCR Development LLC
12.2014 - 05.2015
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Konica Minolta Business Solutions US
05.2011 - 12.2014
Media Consultant
Hearst Corporation
09.2007 - 05.2011
Executive Search Consultant
SOS Professional
11.2006 - 09.2007
Account Executive
Clear Channel Radio
01.2006 - 10.2006
Business to Business Account Executive
Sprint PCS
07.2005 - 01.2006
Area Manager, MES Territory Manager, Field Manager
Wireless Retail Inc
06.2001 - 06.2005
Store Manager
Cellular Warehouse
07.1999 - 07.2001
Accounting And Business Management
University of North Texas
High School Diploma -
Robert E Lee High School