Debra Blankley
Benton
Summary
Dynamic leader with extensive experience in sales operations and enablement at Verizon, adept at driving initiatives and enhancing team performance. Excelled in data analysis and relationship building, significantly improving operational efficiencies. Proven track record in project management and collaborative teamwork, achieving notable success in sales strategy execution and process improvement.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Director - Sales Ops and Enablement
Verizon
Little Rock
10.2022 - 12.2024
- Responsible for leading a team of executive operations Sr. Managers, an Operations Support Consultant, and a Communication Engagement Consultant. The team is responsible for executing initiatives in supporting the public sector sales channel while directly supporting executive leadership to drive initiatives, develop and execute strategies, and provide support to operations teams.
- Provided operational support to various teams, define and support internal processes and procedures, while facilitating the development of relationships with the executive leadership team under the SVP for the Public Sector outside sales, and support teams. Ensure accurate compilation, analysis, and reporting of data relating to the public sector outside sales channel.
- Collaborated with Product Management and Product Marketing to develop and launch sales enablement programs. Building and owning internal sales enablement communications, including graphic design aspects.
- Completed all required performance documents and conducted associated performance discussions (performance agreement/objectives, mid-year review, and year-end review) by required deadlines. Implemented metrics to ensure consistent evaluation and measurement of accreditations. Made recommendations regarding advancement, performance, promotion, or any other change of status of team members. Assessed employee performance, held employees accountable, take appropriate corrective actions, and trained, and provided ongoing direction and feedback to team members.
Manager - Sales Ops & Enablement
Verizon
Little Rock
03.2021 - 10.2022
- Executive operations manager supporting SLED outside sales. Responsible for providing operations support directly for the VP and Sr. Leadership.
- Define and support internal processes and procedures while facilitating the development of relationships with executive leaders and support teams. Ensures the accurate compilation, analysis, and/or reporting of data relating to SLED and Public Sector sales. Responsible for supporting and enabling frontline sales teams to sell more effectively and efficiently, providing information, data, materials, and tools that facilitate strategic direction, deliver on the customer experience, and strengthen the brand.
- Served as a critical link between the development and the execution of the sales strategy, and go-to-market strategy. Frequently participates in the development of sales and service strategies.
- Partnered with executive leadership to identify knowledge and skills gaps within the core sales team, conduct ongoing needs assessments, and roll out targeted programs.
- Collaborated with Product Management and Product Marketing teams to develop and launch sales enablement programs. Identifying standard methodologies for rapid dissemination across the field.
- Calibrated with the Learning and Development team to consult on technical sales and product update training needs, followed by measurement and reporting of the results of that training to executive management.
- Gained a deep knowledge and understanding of the sales organization, the company's value proposition, and our channels of distribution. Ensuring skills, knowledge, and sales readiness of the sales organization.
Marketing Manager - Public Sector Sales Operations
Verizon
Little Rock
08.2018 - 03.2021
- Communications lead for public sector operations updates. Developed and maintained a communications strategy for all public sector outside sales (FED/SLED/Wireless/Wireline). Responsible for collecting, editing, and formatting news brief articles.
- Daily responsibilities included the development and maintenance of communication templates, shared Google Drive, and distribution list management.
- Partner with multiple stakeholder groups to collect content to be sent to Public Sector sales on a bi-weekly and monthly basis.
- Partner with the Marketing organization to streamline Public Sector communications.
- Additional responsibilities during the tenure of this role include: State and Local Government sales operations lead for Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
- Daily responsibilities included reporting, communications, system support, processes, policy, contract support, and education. Point of contact for escalation support. Partnered with the State and Local Contracts team to provide upstream influence based on sales feedback.
Sr. Analyst Sales Operations - B2B
Verizon
Little Rock
09.2017 - 08.2018
- Business Transformation / Cost Reduction: Responsible for NPS reporting and analytics.
- Reviewed NPS verbatim and scores to uncover trends, and develop a project plan based on conclusions. Read out on NPS results monthly to channel leadership.
- Created a frontline recognition program based on NPS results.
- Responsible for OCC, CIR, Return Rate, and Manual Discount reporting, and analytics.
- Determined trends and read out results to channel leadership as needed to reduce costs in the business.
- Created mid-month and month-end reviews for each B2B director, as well as a market-level review for the B2B ED and Market President.
- Responsible for the collection of the voice of employee feedback from each layer of the organization.
- Formulated project plans around key opportunities found during feedback sessions. Partnered with leads in each COE within the market, as well as National HQ product and process leads, to deliver feedback and improve processes and policies when applicable.
- Responsible for the Operations Roadshow project management. Worked with Operations Managers, Sr. Analyst, and B2B leadership to schedule and host Operations Roadshows. Roadshows included system enhancements, as well as training on common tasks for SFDC/Marketo, CMS, Omni, B2B Go, iQBR, and other systems/processes as requested by Pre-Roadshow survey feedback collected directly from the field and presented by Operations COE leads. Collected questions and feedback during roadshows and sent follow-ups directly after the meeting, as well as 30, 60, and 90 days post.
Sr. Analyst Sales Operations - Retail
Verizon
Little Rock
06.2014 - 09.2017
- Responsible for Retail and Small Business Sales support.
- Daily responsibilities included reporting, communications, territory management, contest creation and tracking, inventory management, systems support, and education.
- Daily responsibilities also included responding to the market SMB outlook mailbox and handling customer escalations.
- Primary point of contact for B2B Systems (SFDC, EZ Quote, HYLA, B2B Go, CMS) support for Retail SMB teams. Support operational review reporting and presentation creation. Attend weekly calls with leadership teams to communicate operational updates.
- Partnered with the training organization for the onboarding of SMB new hires.
- Collaborated with market-level and HQ B2B operations and marketing teams, as well as systems and product owners, to improve SMB systems, communications, and policies and procedures.
- Responsible for go-to-market launch support. Daily responsibilities included the creation of launch materials, communication plans, training webinars, special communications, and project plan management.
- Responsible for resource management support. Daily responsibilities included headcount management, job openings, distribution list management, headcount reporting, and weekly/yearly headcount review with leadership. Partnership with HR, Finance, Inventory, Training, and Facilities.
Supervisor-Business Support
Verizon
Little Rock
11.2010 - 06.2014
- Lead a team of 16 business support analysts.
- Responsible for creating, supporting, and continually improving the Business Sales support and special projects team to achieve all key performance objectives.
- Developed, assigned, and monitored support and sales goals, and provided ongoing training to keep employees informed of new products, services, and procedures.
- Attended customer meetings with the team and trained on effective customer support and selling strategies by demonstrating proper techniques.
- Assisted the Manager of Business Support in developing strategies for best supporting all business sales customers within the region, as well as related analysis and planning.
- Focus on customer retention: Ensured that customers and prospective customers are treated with the highest levels of courtesy and professionalism. Resolved internal and external customer issues in a timely and empathetic manner.
- Analyzed team performance reports, and provided recommendations for increased operational efficiencies, as well as customer support and sales, during strategic/tactical planning sessions.
Associate-Business Sales
Verizon
Little Rock
07.2009 - 11.2010
- Generated leads, prospected new business, and created new service opportunities with the existing customer base.
- Responded to requests from field sales staff for information, i.e., price plan analysis and customer information, while providing administrative and sales support, i.e., proposals, marketing information, handling customer service issues, problem solving, and follow-up on customer service issues; developed and coordinated customer training, education, and support regarding wireless phones, accessories, and services.
- Provided pre-sale and post-sale support.
- Assisted with seminars, trade shows, customer on-sites, and attended when required.
- Processed all appropriate documentation for new orders, renewals, and ensured that policies and procedures were met with regard to sales activations. Ensures equipment activation and delivery.
- Participated in training opportunities on products and services, and attended sales meetings.
Associate-Business Sales
Alltel Wireless
Little Rock
07.2007 - 07.2009
- Sales support for the outside business-to-business sales team.
Retail Sales Associate
Alltel Wireless
Jonesboro
07.2004 - 07.2007
- Sales associate in retail location.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Agriculture
Arkansas State University
Jonesboro, AR05-2004
Skills
- Sales enablement
- Data analysis
- Process improvement
- Project management
- Performance metrics
- Collaborative teamwork
- Presentation skills
- Relationship building
Timeline
Associate Director - Sales Ops and Enablement
Verizon
10.2022 - 12.2024
Manager - Sales Ops & Enablement
Verizon
03.2021 - 10.2022
Marketing Manager - Public Sector Sales Operations
Verizon
08.2018 - 03.2021
Sr. Analyst Sales Operations - B2B
Verizon
09.2017 - 08.2018
Sr. Analyst Sales Operations - Retail
Verizon
06.2014 - 09.2017
Supervisor-Business Support
Verizon
11.2010 - 06.2014
Associate-Business Sales
Verizon
07.2009 - 11.2010
Associate-Business Sales
Alltel Wireless
07.2007 - 07.2009
Retail Sales Associate
Alltel Wireless
07.2004 - 07.2007
Bachelor of Science - Agriculture
Arkansas State University
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