Rika Harrison
Elizabethton,NC
Summary
Results-driven professional with forward-thinking approach centered on company success and competitive growth. Natural leader with exceptional skills in customer relations, administration and scheduling. Manages competing priorities with organized and resourceful approaches.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Sales and Events
Cottonwood Suites & Conference Center
12.2022 - 03.2025
- Managed team of sales representatives, providing guidance, coaching and support.
- Achieved sales goals and service targets by cultivating and securing new customer relationships.
- Forecasted sales and established processes to achieve sales objectives and related metrics.
- Established pricing strategies to maintain competitive pricing and maximize profits.
- Connected with prospects through trade shows, cold calling and local-area networking.
- Established ambitious sales targets, managed deployment strategies, and developed go-to-market plans to capitalize on every revenue opportunity.
- Worked closely with product teams to understand customer needs and requirements.
- Directed sales support staff in administrative tasks to help sales reps close deals.
- Achieved dramatic sales increase by skillfully managing relationships and proactive sales approaches.
- Collaborated with marketing teams to help sales campaigns reach target audiences.
- Consistently serviced accounts to maintain active contacts and continuously promote profitable offerings.
- Monitored and coordinated workflows to optimize resources.
- Managed accounts to retain existing relationships and grow share of business.
- Exceeded sales quotas and increased profitability through effective sales strategy and business planning.
- Built relationships with customers and community to establish long-term business growth.
- Held one-on-one meetings with sales team members to identify selling hurdles and offered insight into best remedy.
- Resolved problems with high-profile customers to maintain relationships and increase return customer base.
- Liaised with sales, marketing, and management teams to develop solutions and accomplish shared objectives.
- Prepared sales presentations for clients showing success and credibility of products.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
- Collaborated with upper management to implement continuous improvements and exceed team goals.
- Maintained financial controls, planned business operations and control expenses while identifying and pursuing opportunities to grow business operations and boost profits.
- Implemented systems and procedures to increase sales.
- Delivered recommendations to long-term accounts to promote brand awareness to key audience.
- Organized promotional events and interacted with community to increase sales volume.
- Facilitated business by implementing practical networking techniques.
Director of Guest Services
Christmount
12.2021 - 12.2022
- Collaborated with outside departments to coordinate solutions and retain guest satisfaction.
- Monitored guest services personnel for efficiency and accuracy of response to guest complaints.
- Consistently offered personalized recommendations for guest activities based on detailed conversations with clients upon arrival.
- Restructured lines of communication with housekeeping to make sure guests were satisfied with timeliness and quality of housekeeping services.
- Greeted and assisted guests by gathering information pertaining to reservations or requests.
- Oversaw day-to-day operations of 31-room hotel , with staff of 25 employees.
- Booked large groups for weddings, seminars, conferences and other events, providing best available room rates.
- Handled guest complaints and offered complimentary services to maintain high guest satisfaction rates.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
- Enhanced response and resolution systems to meet changing demands.
Owner
True Hope Publishing, Inc
10.2010 - 02.2021
- Managed day-to-day business operations.
- Experienced and well versed in paper selection and production procedures.
- Skilled eye in printing, press checks and approvals.
- Worked with internal creative departments to address client needs and fulfill creative vision.
- Promoted creative, motivational work environment.
- Effectively managed multiple projects simultaneously. Highly attentive to detail and quality.
- Established foundational processes for business operations.
- Evaluated suppliers to maintain cost controls and improve operations.
- Developed sales presentations and promotion initiatives to key accounts to drive product sales and increase brand awareness.
- Monitored market conditions to set accurate product pricing and take advantage of emerging trends.
- Organized and attended trade shows and special events to showcase products, network with other businesses and attract new customers.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Law
Regent University
Online08.2025
B.S. - Business Management
Colorado Technical University
Colorado Springs, CO2017
B.S. - Accounting
Catholic University of America
Washington, DC2001
Skills
- Experience with MAS 90, accounting software, MIP financial systems, Solomon IV, Fund EZ, Art Pro, AS400, Pro2003, CATI, SynXis PM, QuickBooks, Microsoft Office Suite
- Excellent customer relations skills
- Accomplished in building systems and services
- Accomplished in project management
- Strong work ethic
- Solid background in bookkeeping and accounting
- Possess exceptional organizational and problem solving skills
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and adhere to strict deadlines
- Excellent human relations skills, dealing with a variety of customers, vendors and employees
- Superior ability to achieve immediate and long-term goals
- Excel in team bonding, operations management, and stakeholder relations
Certification
- Customer Service Mastery, Udemy - July 2023
Timeline
Director of Sales and Events
Cottonwood Suites & Conference Center
12.2022 - 03.2025
Director of Guest Services
Christmount
12.2021 - 12.2022
Owner
True Hope Publishing, Inc
10.2010 - 02.2021
Bachelor of Arts - Law
Regent University
B.S. - Business Management
Colorado Technical University
B.S. - Accounting
Catholic University of America
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