LAURA S. MARTIN
Sales/Business Development
Fort Lauderdale,FL, Florida
Summary
Dynamic Sales Executive with over 30 years of experience providing high level of customer service while increasing revenues. Successful at leveraging sales technologies, software and CRM data to identify, analyze and act upon leads, opportunities and sales funnels. Personable communicator focused on exceeding client expectations.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Language
Work History
General Manager
Revive Group International
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
01.2022 - Current
- Start-up medical equipment company.
- Introduced new methods, practices and systems.
- Identified ways to ensure high productivity, ordering parts globaly, data collection, and accounting system.
- Developed new relationships with customers and suppliers through account development.
- Developed effective business plans to align strategic decisions with long-term objectives.
- Acknowledged, interacted and built relationships with clients to stimulate loyalty.
- Increased business sales utilizing medical parts knowledge.
- Planned website development and built and styled new mobile-friendly Shopify website
Franchise Business Development/Sales Manager
Cruise Planners / American Express Travel Franchise
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
07.2008 - 09.2020
- Create and work a business plan to achieve targeted, performance goals by identifying, advancing and closing deals through multiple channels
- Develop effective sales strategies to optimize brand and grow sales
- Develop, manage and administer all sourcing and recruiting processes to develop a good lead database and close sales
- Ability to develop and foster strong client relationships with key decision makers/buyers
- Qualification of franchise sales leads from multiple lead sources
- Franchise Disclosure Document review and walkthrough with prospective franchisees
- Close franchise sales with franchise sales leads from multiple sources and through multiple channels
- Identifying, qualifying, and educating prospective franchisees
- Working knowledge of complex franchise operations and laws
- Meets/exceeds all sales goals; responsible for appointment setting, weekly sales calls, and sales conversions
- Assisted company with development and implementation of 2 new CRM tools
- Continuous high closing rates and exceeding quotas year after year
- Flexible work schedule, team player and work well independently
- Host Webinars and Zoom calls to educate clients on brand.
Charter Sales Manager
Institute For Shipboard Education
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
02.2007 - 06.2008
- Company also known as Semester At Sea headquartered in Virginia
- Responsible for selling full ship charters (840 passengers) to corporate companies, associations and travel providers
- Each charter sales equated to a $600,000 to $1,200,000 sale
- Worked with senior level decision makers through phone conversations, presentations, ship visits
- Position was eliminated due to possibility of losing not for profit status.
Director of Sales & Marketing
Atlantis Adventures
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
02.2005 - 09.2006
- Tour Company operating 48-passenger submarines, water and island tours in Aruba, Barbados, Cozumel, Curacao, Grand Cayman, St Marten, St Thomas, Hawaii and Guam
- Closed Ft. Lauderdale Regional Office in September due to budget cuts
- Responsible for a $1.5 mil goal and a $200,000 budget.
- Responsible for account relationship/business and pricing with cruise lines.
- Achieved dramatic sales increase by skillfully managing relationships and proactive sales approaches.
- Evaluated costs against expected market price points and set structures to achieve profit targets.
- Developed new business outside of cruise lines through outside marketing campaigns.
- Responsible for the booking and production of a nationally televised Penn & Teller movie centered around the Grand Cayman submarine.
Director of Sales
Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd
Alexandria, VA
10.2001 - 03.2004
- Managing a team of 20 Sales Managers with an annual revenue goal of $283M
- Achieved 108% to goal in 2002; 96% to goal in 2003; on track to surpass 2004 sales goals
- Increased passenger count by 26% from 2002 to 2003
- Maintained and developed relationships with accounts that drove revenue to 2 Brands.
- Developed synergistic relationships with sales managers, collaborating to create integrated sales and marketing campaigns that best fit clients’ needs
- Direct sales and marketing activities including sales promotions, co-op, trade shows and regional events
- Developed and implemented sales & marketing plans for accounts and region
- Consistently ranked top region in percentage to goal
- Responsible for the hiring, training and personal development of Sales Managers.
- Formulated and presented innovative strategies to team members, executives and customers to build foundation for successful sales plans.
Manager, Incentive Sales
Royal Caribbean International
Miami, FL
03.1999 - 10.2004
- Managed Incentive Sales Dept. consisting of 13 Incentive Sales Managers with an annual sales goal of $160M.
- Increased sales 21% in the first year and 27% the second year.
- Maintained and developed relationships with incentive accounts, meeting planners and corporate direct clients while growing market share resulting in increased retention rates and repeat sales.
- Increased Corporate Direct sales by 35% over 1 ½ years.
- Personally led the negotiations of multi-million dollar full ship charters
- Engaged with incentive, large group and charter customers to build relationships, loyalty and sales.
National Incentive Manager
Royal Caribbean International
Miami, FL
12.1995 - 03.1999
- Responsible for 8 National Incentive Accounts with an annual sales goal of $23M
- Negotiated and executed contracts with large Incentive Houses
- Generated $7M in new business from top account for 2001
- A 250% growth over previous year
- Reached sales goals by solidifying and cultivating relationships, conducting sales meetings, sales calls, product presentations and symposiums.
- Increased sales volume and expanded Incentive House customers through attention to details, customer service and education of product/service.
Front Office Manager
Pier 66 Resort & Marina
Fort Lauderdale, FL
09.1992 - 12.1995
- Ran the operations of the front desk, reservations, concierge and bell staff of a luxury 350-room resort
- Coordinated activities with all departments to ensure total guest satisfaction and repeat business.
- Created, prepared and delivered reports to various departments.
- Protected staff and customers and minimized legal issues by quickly resolving safety issues.
- Trained new-hires on front office procedures to better service customers.
Assistant Manager
Four Seasons Hotels
Houston And Chicago, IL
01.1990 - 06.1992
- Manager on Duty for two AAA 5-Star luxury hotel.
- Highest ranking manager in hotel after business hours.
- Responsible for all food & beverage and room operations after business hours.
- Ran the operations of the front desk, reservations, concierge and bell staff of two luxury 350+ room resort and city hotel with apartments.
- Coordinated activities with all departments to ensure total guest satisfaction and repeat business.
- Supervised team of 200+ hotel employees and helped to resolve issues arising during shifts.
- Provided exceptional service and assistance to guests while ensuring the safety of guests and staff during afternoon and evening hours..
Education
Bachelor of Science Degree - Hospitality Management
Florida International University
01.1985 - 01.1990
Skills
Strong communication skills
Polished skills in account cultivation
Efficient multi-tasker
Sales expertise
Client account management
Operations management
Effective leader
Business Development
Timeline
General Manager
Revive Group International
01.2022 - Current
Franchise Business Development/Sales Manager
Cruise Planners / American Express Travel Franchise
07.2008 - 09.2020
Charter Sales Manager
Institute For Shipboard Education
02.2007 - 06.2008
Director of Sales & Marketing
Atlantis Adventures
02.2005 - 09.2006
Director of Sales
Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd
10.2001 - 03.2004
Manager, Incentive Sales
Royal Caribbean International
03.1999 - 10.2004
National Incentive Manager
Royal Caribbean International
12.1995 - 03.1999
Front Office Manager
Pier 66 Resort & Marina
09.1992 - 12.1995
Assistant Manager
Four Seasons Hotels
01.1990 - 06.1992
Bachelor of Science Degree - Hospitality Management
Florida International University
01.1985 - 01.1990