Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic

DeRon Franklin

Wethersfield,CT

Summary

Successful management career in building and maintaining strong business partnerships and teamwork as a cornerstone of success. These relationships include Fortune 500 companies, medium and small business and employees/consultants whose satisfaction was key to meeting company objectives. Enhanced good relationships and save relationships that employers were on the cusp of losing, resulting in increased revenue and value to clients. Recognized as a hard-working and committed, with strong results. Highly effective and comfortable working with people at all levels in organization.

Overview

36
36
years of professional experience

Work History

Owner/Customer Relationship Mgr./Instructor

Indomitable Fitness and Martial Arts
01.2013 - Current
  • Indomitable Fitness and Martial Arts is a small fitness and martial arts business competing against bigger, more established, and better equipped companies.
  • Because of this challenge, building and maintaining strong relationships is paramount to success
  • Indomitable Fitness and Martial Arts pride ourselves on building relationships with clients by maintaining close contact and guiding them to their next level of well-being
  • Achieve this by listening, providing expertise, insight, inspiration and instilling camaraderie with and between clients
  • This leads them to achieving their ultimate mind, body and spiritual fitness in a fun and supportive environment
  • An environment that has fostered long term relationships that far exceed industry standards and helped us succeed in business
  • Manage client relationships and retention through understanding the client's changing needs, teambuilding activities, friendly competitions and company sponsored outings
  • These activities have led to the majority of my clients being members of our studio for over 5 years, which far exceeds industry standards
  • Develop programs for clients based on ongoing conversations to determine their goals, challenges and motivation.
  • This strategy has led to a family atmosphere where clients feel part of something bigger and creates a partnership toward success
  • Oversee recruitment of new clients through referral programs, outreach and providing service worthy of “word of mouth”, which is our main recruitment tool
  • The strategy has been successful in allowing us to better manage marketing expenses.

President

Franklin Marketing Solutions
01.2002 - 01.2015
  • Franklin Marketing Solutions (FMS) assisted small and medium sized businesses with improving their sales through Consultative/Counseling Style, marketing and client retention strategies through seminars, sales training and management
  • FMS also provided marketing/public relations strategies planning, and implementation
  • Managed FMS sales executives in their outside sales efforts for clients including telecommunications, information technology, signage and advertising industries
  • Worked with Connecticut Secretary of State Office in conducting Guerrilla Sales Seminars for business owners, executives and sales managers.

Operations Manager

Computer Consulting Associates/Div2000.com
06.1996 - 05.2002
  • 1996 – 2002 Computer Consulting Associates International, Inc./DIV2000.com (One of the largest Minority Owned IT Consulting Firms in New England)
  • Southport, CT
  • Operations/Relationship Manager
  • Managed major customer accounts including proposals, ensuring contract compliance and responding to client needs
  • These activities enabled Computer Consulting Associates to be recognized as a leader in the industry and it facilitated increased partnerships with IBM, Computer Sciences Corporation and other Fortune 500 companies
  • Oversaw 4 office managers and their management relationship with their accounts
  • Member of management team that developed and implemented company management, marketing and public relations strategies
  • Directed and managed staff of 10 in-house professionals in creating and maintaining direction for optimal performance and oversaw activities and performance of 125 consultants in client offices
  • Member of management team, serving as the Operations/Marketing Manager, that assisted in the development and maintenance of Div2000.com (now OMNIKAL.com) a website that helps business development and provided opportunity for contracts between minority/women suppliers and corporations
  • DIV2000.com was voted a top 50 website in Connecticut
  • Handle all media relations for new products and services Wrote press releases and articles to encourage media coverage of Computer Consulting Associates and DIV2000.com
  • Press Releases facilitated an interview in the national publication Black Enterprise Magazine, a story in the tri-state business report by Joe Connelly on 880 AM, a guest appearance on the NBC affiliate WVIT television show Black Perspective, as well as coverage in several local newspapers
  • Created a comprehensive package to promote the president and business accomplishments
  • The finished product was presented to the U.S
  • Small Business Association (SBA) which facilitated the president being awarded the 1998 SBA Small Businessperson of the Year Award
  • Established the successful CCAii Employee Appraisal Package/Procedure
  • The Package identifies the key activities for the employee's position and enables them understand what is expected and opportunity to excel
  • Promote goodwill through such publicity efforts as speeches, exhibits and in-house functions

Connecticut Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc
01.1995 - 01.1996
  • Managed all marketing and public relations activities for CMSDC including:
  • Assisted with planning, implementation and marketing of major functions (Trade show, awards banquet, networking functions)
  • Wrote, designed and produced quarterly newsletter
  • Provided information to media representatives and others interested in learning and publicizing the CMSDC, its mission and activities
  • Wrote articles and press releases to enhance awareness of the council, its functions and activities
  • Managed Kidpreneur Program to introduce at-risk youth to entreprenurialism
  • Served as member of the CMSDC Senior Executive Officer Advisory Board, which oversees the overall direction of the Council
  • Membership consists of corporate senior officers, members of the CMSDC Board of Directors and the Executive Director
  • Represented CMSDC Executive Director at Hartford legislative hearing on Foxwoods Resort Casino proposal to open an entertainment center in Bridgeport, CT
  • As well as other public, social and business functions
  • Developed CMSDC marketing brochure
  • Wrote solicitation letters for membership and participation in functions to corporate upper management, legislators, and minority business owners.

Purchasing Consultant

Aetna Life & Casualty Company
01.1988 - 01.1995
  • Managed the Aetna national photocopier fleet of 1700 units
  • Duties included interviewing potential suppliers, negotiating contracts, selecting cost effective equipment to satisfy the company needs, monitoring supplier performance and special projects
  • Oversaw major account Relationship Managers regarding the meeting and exceeding their contract goal Aetna home and field offices
  • Met with senior management of suppliers to critique their performance and coordinate future endeavors
  • This resulted in high quality supplier support to the company and enhancement of our partnership
  • Headed the Purchasing department's United Way campaign that raised over $8,000 through presentations and management of fund raising activities
  • The campaign exceeded the previous year results, despite fewer employees and low morale within the department due to recent layoffs
  • Analyzed and assisted in the negotiation to replace 700 photocopiers
  • This resulted in $1.5 million in savings over a 3-year period
  • Led the company effort to establish a Minority/Woman/Disabled Owned Business Program by forming a partnership between Purchasing, Corporate Public Involvement and Workforce Diversity departments
  • Created an information booklet which described the program
  • The booklet served as tangible proof that Aetna was addressing the minority/woman/disabled business issue, which allowed the company to be eligible to submit proposals in states where it was previously excluded
  • Promoted the program internally through departmental presentations
  • These efforts ensured a diverse and competitive supplier base
  • Served on the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc
  • Which facilitated networking with other corporations and more contract opportunities between the corporations and minority/woman/disabled owned businesses
  • Participated on a team that reviewed the compensation package for the department
  • The findings led the team to develop a new pay program that was used nationwide
  • Simplified the customer photocopier supply ordering process leading to quicker delivery and processing time and reduced cost to the Purchasing department
  • Instituted a Supplier of the Year Award to recognize top performing suppliers
  • This motivated suppliers to provide quality products, timely service and effective pricing
  • Consistently received several complimentary notes from customers and senior management for responsiveness, customer service and ingenuity, which resulted in my becoming the first recipient of the Buyer of the Month award, consistent raises and performance bonuses.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Communication/Marketing

Central Connecticut State University

Pertinent Coursework\SkillsSales Techniques and Strategies, Public Relations Strategies, Crisis Management, Communication Theory and Process, Marketing Principles, Communication Technologies, Business and Professional Speaking, Advertising and Promotions, Consumer Behavior, International Marketing, Principles of Law, Professional Negotiation and Teambuilding classes through Aetna and PowerPoint. - undefined

Skills

  • Relationship Building
  • Coaching and Mentoring
  • Account Oversight
  • Operations Management
  • Team Building
  • Sales Oversight
  • Consultative Sales

Accomplishments

· 2022 Finalist for the Whistlekick Flashlight Award for “People who make a difference in the martial arts while quietly making an impact in their community”

· Level 10/Black Sash – Jun Fan Gung Fu/Jeet Kune Do

· 3rd Degree Black Belt – Taekwondo

· Tai Chi

· Former Big Brother Program

· Former Volunteer Tae Kwon Do instructor for the Inner City Youth Martial Arts Program

Timeline

Owner/Customer Relationship Mgr./Instructor

Indomitable Fitness and Martial Arts
01.2013 - Current

President

Franklin Marketing Solutions
01.2002 - 01.2015

Operations Manager

Computer Consulting Associates/Div2000.com
06.1996 - 05.2002

Connecticut Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc
01.1995 - 01.1996

Purchasing Consultant

Aetna Life & Casualty Company
01.1988 - 01.1995

Bachelor of Arts - Communication/Marketing

Central Connecticut State University

Pertinent Coursework\SkillsSales Techniques and Strategies, Public Relations Strategies, Crisis Management, Communication Theory and Process, Marketing Principles, Communication Technologies, Business and Professional Speaking, Advertising and Promotions, Consumer Behavior, International Marketing, Principles of Law, Professional Negotiation and Teambuilding classes through Aetna and PowerPoint. - undefined

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DeRon Franklin