LINDA NELSON

6551 Devonshire Drive * Chanhassen, Minnesota 55317

612-247-7441 * lnec19ec@westpost.net
~ Offering experience in 360 marketing strategies, sales partnership and proacti
ve resource development ~
Dynamic, results oriented sales and marketing professional with broad leadership
experience as a Marketing Manager, Sales Manager, Business Development Manager
and Mass-Market Retail Buyer. Seasoned in building high value B2B/B2C relationsh
ips, internal teams and driving company growth. Skilled in initiating and execut
ing cutting edge sales, branding and integrated marketing plans. Expertise in st
rategic planning, product/category management, supply chain logistics, inventory
management, innovation, product/service marketing and roll out, research and da
ta analysis, continuous process improvement, project management and critical thi
nking.
* Marketing - Proven ability to utilize market research and industry knowledge t
o identify, interpret and capitalize on market trends while delivering bottom li
ne results. Solid background in developing and executing strategic marketing pla
ns with an emphasis on innovation, customization, metrics and emerging tools.
* Management - Proactive project manager demonstrating strong analytical skills,
process improvement, emphasizing results and fiscal responsibility. Hands-on sa
les experience using consultative and relationship sales tactics, knowledge in v
endor management, leading cross-functional teams, creating dynamic presentations
, win-win negotiations, developing B2B/B2C partnerships with strong closing skil
ls.
* Communication - Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills with a flai
r for needs assessment and problem solving. Focused direction setter, change age
nt and coach that enjoys open, collaborative approach to achieving results and r
esolving issues.
* Administration - Strategic team leader that coordinates tasks, processes, peop
le and systems to maximum potential and efficiency. Strong business acumen, hand
les multiple tasks well, detail focused and follow through oriented - decisive,
yet analytical.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

CONCENTRA BUSINESS SOLUTIONS LLC, Chanhassen, Minnesota

Strategic Business Consultant * 2010-Present
Leveraging work experience and education to collaborate with clients in defining
need, targeted market and business goals, developing sales, marketing and suppl
y chain strategies. Utilizing in-depth market research to draft best business pr
actices, set corporate goals and develop operational processes and procedures. I
ntegrates traditional, multimedia and non-traditional marketing resources to upg
rade product awareness, penetrate untapped territories, and drive brand loyalty.
Proven ability to innovate corporate identity, identify branding and sales/prof
itability tactics, and improve market share for small to mid-sized business and
non-profit organizations.
* Championed the integrated marketing plan and strategic goals for a non-profit
senior housing company.
* Collaborated on business plans for Home Care and Memory Care services roll out
in senior housing company.
* Spearheaded successful new business development strategies for children's publ
ishing company.
TEACH ME TAPES INC, Minnetonka, Minnesota
Sales & Marketing Manager/General Manager * 2004-2009
Hired as a change agent and direction setter to oversee Sales and Marketing, gai
ned responsibilities in HR, Operations and IT. Directed, designed and implemente
d a comprehensive product-marketing plan including establishing business plans,
competitive strategy, pricing analysis, sales/revenue forecasts, global sales ex
pansion, ecommerce, new brand identity, market segmentation, analysis of distrib
ution issues and inventory management.
* Rocketed sales 40% < 12 months, plus 30% following year by aggressive marketin
g campaign, building a new website, implementing 24-hour order fulfillment and i
mproving customer relationships.
* Improved supply chain logistics, inventory control measures, replenishment pro
cesses, packaging and pricing structure to support segment/channel marketing and
create a reliable business reputation.
* Published 50 new products, replacing obsolete items with updated, more profita
ble products to drive revenue.

ALL ABOUT LIGHTS, Chanhassen, Minnesota

Sales & Marketing Consultant * 2002-2004
Lighting Design Consultant for residential and commercial clients dealing with n
ew construction and remodel applications. Directed product selection, procuremen
t, merchandising, product placement and visual presentation. Leveraged consultat
ive selling and diverse relationship building skills to develop high value partn
erships with key vendors, clients and The Parade of Homes to driving future sale
s and strategies against competitors.
* Increased monthly sales quotas 200%, delivering 40% of the stores total revenu
es by leveraging relationships, productive PR, event planning, trade shows and d
elivering excellent customer service.
* Improved store turnover 25% by implementing cross-selling and up-selling proce
sses and incentives.
DK PUBLISHING INC, New York, New York
Business Development Manager/National Sales Manager * 1999-2001
Recruited to develop, launch and manage a new Mass-Market Sales Division. Re-eng
ineered territory structure for 130 independent sales groups to increase account
ability, improve productivity and reduce redundancy. Used results-centered busin
ess tactics to capture non-traditional markets via aggressive research, high imp
act sales presentations, customized publishing programs and exclusive licensing
deals to exceed client expectations.
* Improved division sales from $2M to $8M < 12 months, achieving $20M within 36
months.
* Created highly productive sales presentations with integrated marketing collat
eral to support sales goals and deliver sales results at 40% gross margin.
CANDLEWICK PRESS, Sommerville, Massachusetts
National Account Manager * 1995-1998
Directed all sales and marketing activities in the U.S. mass-market, drug and gr
ocery stores for children's book publisher, plus wholesale clients and independe
nt bookstores. Handled buyer negotiations, inventory planning, forecasting and p
lanograms with detailed follow-up creating client partnerships exceeding custome
r satisfaction.
* Maintained steady sales growth at 25-30% annually, consistently exceeded profi
ts.
* Initiated custom the innovative sales and marketing presentations, monitoring
customer inventory flow.
* Assisted President and editorial team in product development and marketing of
custom book programs.
TARGET STORES, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Buyer * 1985-1995
Procurement and sourcing expert with CPG category management and merchandising r
esponsibilities, responsible for product planning, inventory control and financi
al forecasting. Developed cutting edge merchandise assortments and business stra
tegies driving sales and delivering profits, including seasonal licensing progra
ms, advertising, in-store promotions, custom vendor programs, exclusive products
, packaging, strategic pricing, merchandise flow logistics, trend analysis, vend
or negotiations, improving store in-stock ratios and partnerships.
* Doubled sales in books and magazines over three year span, exceeding sales and
profits annually.
* Initiated the "Partners in Publishing" strategy to guarantee key title availab
ility on street date, chain wide.
* Contributed to company tasks forces to develop new systems, merchandise flow p
rocesses, backroom operations, inventory planning, total quality management and
computerized planogram processes.
FORMAL EDUCATION

Master of Business Administration ~ Global Leadership, Non-Profit 2009

Bethel University, St. Paul, Minnesota ~ 4.0 GPA
Bachelor of Arts ~ Business Administration Minors: Economics and Psychology
Bethel University, St. Paul, Minnesota

TECHNICAL PROFICIENCIES

Windows and Mac OS X platforms * Microsoft Office Suite * Access/Outlook * SQL *

Peachtree Accounting * QuickBooks
SPSS * CRM * Constant Contact * iContact * Vertical Response * Google Analytics
* Social Media Apps * Photoshop