Matthew Blue

Work History

Senior Acquisitions Editor

Kendall Hunt Publishing

05.2019 - 10.2023

Communicated directly with authors to collaboratively assess work and guide editorial improvements.
Pitched content strategies and managed asset acquisition.
Achieved sales goals and service targets by cultivating and securing new customer relationships.
Negotiated and closed profitable sales contracts with new and existing customers to increase loyalty and retention.
Researched sales opportunities and possible leads to exceed sales goals and increase profits.
Increased revenue by implementing effective sales strategies in sales cycle process from prospecting leads through close
Consistently signed over 20 authors each year
Executed budget and expense reports
Approximately 25% Travel Required

Client Advocate

ITData Inc.

07.2018 - 05.2019

Experience with selling services such as: Cyber security, cloud migration, telephony services, MSP work and consultative work
Facilitating process improvement through cloud technologies solutions like Office 365 and other platforms
Responsible for researching companies that fit within my target territory and target size (mid-market to enterprise level companies in Philadelphia, New York, Delaware and New Jersey)
Researched and identified the correct IT decision makers by cold calling, emailing, using LinkedIn, face to face visits and professional events
Business Networking
Relationship Building
Created a Partner program in which I grew to 5 partners in just a 3 month span.
Attended daily and weekly prospecting and pipeline updates
Trained to use Crm system.
Monthly expense reporting.
35% Travel

General Manger Agent

American Income Life

12.2017 - 06.2018

Promoted to General Agent from Supervising Agent; exceeding $30k/month goal over a rolling 90-day period
Developed my own team of Licensed Insurance Salespeople
Accountable for all facets of the recruiting and training process to build my own team of 20 salespeople
Responsible for interviewing, hiring decisions, training and motivating new employees and prospective agents
Supervised and managed a team of sales professionals in obtaining their state insurance license
In charge of running weekly workshops, developing teams, and running meetings for the entire King of Prussia office
Trained and certified to use and teach CRM software
Handled and promptly resolved customer complaints to maintain professional relationships.
Followed up on customers' inquiries to assess satisfaction with provided solutions.
Informed clients of policies and procedures.
De-escalated and resolved customer complaints with punctual, polite and professional service.
Approximately 70% travel required.

Supervising Agent

American Income Life

06.2017 - 12.2017

Promoted to Supervising Agent from Individual Producer; exceeding a $24K/month sales objective over the course of a rolling 90-day period
Taught and mentored 8 new agents to run their own business; also trained them on the knowledge about our products and how to properly give a presentation to clients, then sell and manage sold policies
Championed all facets of ensuring the correct insurance policies were issued to clients based on their needs during a consultative hour long presentation and meeting
Built and maintained relationships with clients from the cultivation of leads to the closing of the business transaction and maintaining the account and happiness of the client
Monitored and evaluated fellow agents' performance.
Optimized customer experience by delivering superior services and effectively troubleshooting issues.
Approximately 75% travel required.

Agent

American Income Life

02.2017 - 06.2017

Obtained Insurance License
Accountable for the entire sales cycle including cold calling, door knocking, setting appointments, negotiating term and whole life insurance with clients and achieving weekly goals while maintaining current book of business.
Called prospective clients in market area to explain products offered and qualify leads.
Reviewed and executed confidential documents, contracts
Determined client needs and financial situations by listening and scheduling fact-finding appointments.
Negotiated with insurance underwriters to obtain better coverage and improved rates for clients.
Utilized CRM software to manage client relationships.
Educated clients on insurance policies and procedures.
Collected premiums on or before effective date of coverage.
Finalized sales and collected necessary deposits.
Developed and implemented promotional strategies to increase customer base.

Acquisitions Editor

Kendall Hunt Publishing

11.2011 - 02.2017

Learned and implemented a consultative sales process, understanding needs of students and professors then deciding and creating the best medium for delivery of classroom materials
Helped create and sell books, e-books, digital media , cell phone applications and other course packs
Generated leads within my multiple state territory
Served as a liaison between production/manufacturing, marketing and the author
Assessed the needs of current authors to ensure continued business
Develop relationships with bookstore managers and employees to maximize sales
Executed budget and expense reports monthly
Developed and acquired content for digital solutions.
Created excitement surrounding new products or new product content and features.
Monitored current and pending acquisitions at various stages of development.
Monitored profitability of existing products and built key brands across multiple disciplines.
Determined readiness of written pieces, made changes, and approved final versions for publication.
Led and managed multiple projects from conceptual stage through to launch.
Collaborated with writers and graphic designers to develop content schedules and plan workflows.
Conducted editorial meetings with staff members to collaborate and review proposed publication suggestions.
Generated over 1.2 million in sales over 5 years
Exceeded first 6 months goal, 1st year sales goal and ranked in top 10 out of 56 Acquisitions Editors every year in multiple categories
Was in the top 5 out of 50+ people for 5 years for number of new projects signed and profit margin

Regional Manager

University Directories

11.2009 - 10.2011

Promoted to Regional Manager from Associate Regional Manager
Initiated and developed the sales management, motivation, coaching, and mentoring of 37 sales representatives in the Keystone Region in 13 different cities.
Instrumental in securing Nascar and Video Mode as clients for UDOC, a grassroots marketing section of University Directories.
Extensive experience with company travel, proficient in CRM (salesforce.com) software and expense reporting tools.
Supervised staff to optimize brand expansion initiatives and productivity.
Forecasted sales and established processes to achieve sales objectives and related metrics.
Masterminded updates to workflows and revitalized teams to meet changing business needs and boost team member performance.
Developed sales strategy based on research of consumer buying trends and market conditions.

Sales Intern

University Directories

05.2009 - 11.2009

Supported client acquisition strategies with pipeline management and lead qualification.
Identified new business opportunities through cold calling, networking, marketing and prospective database leads.
Built relationships with customers and community to promote long term business growth.
Negotiated prices, terms of sales and service agreements.
Gained customer trust and confidence by demonstrating compelling, persuasive and composed professional demeanor.
Contributed to team objectives in fast-paced environment.
Contributed to event marketing, sales and brand promotion.
Attended monthly sales meetings and quarterly sales trainings.

Summary

Overview

Work History

Senior Acquisitions Editor

Client Advocate

General Manger Agent

Supervising Agent

Agent

Acquisitions Editor

Regional Manager

Sales Intern

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies -

Skills

Accomplishments

References Available

Work Availability

Timeline

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