SPEAKER: Jim Mooney

President & CEO of References-Online

References-Online was founded seven years ago after Jim Mooney saw a need. Prior to starting References-Online, Jim had successfully driven top-line growth and bottom-line contributions for a number of technology, Internet and other high-growth companies, but he continually wanted to have a more engaging and interactive way to connect with his prospects during the reference phase of the sales cycle. Seeing a way to differentiate himself, Jim formulated a system that would organize, send and track video and audio references of customers to his new prospects to help them get a recommendation that felt like a “word of mouth” referral. He looked for a product that could do it for him and none existed. So in 2002, Jim launched References-Online to fill the gap.

By establishing References-Online, Jim not only created a new tactical approach to sales cycle optimization, he also invented a class of service in lead nurturing with customer reference management.  But Jim didn’t assume that if he built it, they would come. Instead, each iteration of the References-Online solutions has been carefully planned from direct customer and prospect feedback. He listened to the marketplace before it was cool.

Now Jim is preparing to launch yet another product born from the requests of (as well as funded by) his existing customers. This new solution boasts a feature set designed almost entirely around the requests of his customer base – many of whom are already interested in or have committed to purchasing the new product. Jim’s new endeavor also harnesses the vast power of social media principles in rating and offering valuable feedback in internal sales and marketing environments.

In addition to founding References-Online, Jim has had success at all levels of sales including the selling of complex business solutions to large corporations including Coca-Cola, American Airlines, Wal-Mart, United Airlines, Shell, Phillips, and Northwestern Mutual Life. Come hear Jim’s entrepreneurial journey, and learn how you can let the market help shape a successful business from the start.

MODERATOR: Joy Milkowski

Founder of Access Marketing Company

Joy Milkowski is the Founder of Access Marketing Company where she specializes in bringing search engine marketing and web marketing intelligence to her clients in a way they can understand and measure. She has over a decade of marketing, sales and professional copywriting experience in a variety of areas including tech, industrial, direct to consumer sales, commercial real estate ventures, professional and collegiate athletics and Internet-based marketing. In addition, Joy trains small businesses and entrepreneurs who want to leverage the power of search engines as an advertising tool to reach their audiences.

PANELIST: Ilan Shamir

Keynote Presenter, Author, Consultant and Trainer

 Ilan Shamir is a keynote presenter, author, consultant and trainer. Your True Nature, Inc. founded in Portland, Oregon in 1980 and now headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado was established to empower individuals, organizations and events to build and sustain powerful momentum and celebrate the beauty of human nature. Ilan was part of the team for 7UP during the highly successful UNCOLA campaign of the early 1970s, and continues to combine the power of business with the dynamics of fun and creativity.

Author of A Thousand Things Went Right Today!, Advice from a Tree and creator of more than thirty unique products, Your True Nature has a strong commitment to sustainability, demonstrated by the planting of over 50,000 tree to replenish 100% of the paper used by the business. In conjunction with the non profit organization Trees Water & People, Ilan has developed the 100% Replanted program to help individuals and organizations replant trees for paper used.

For his innovative approach to business and life he has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, John Naisbit, Reinventing the Corporation, National Public Radio's All Things Considered, Good Housekeeping, Money Magazine, London Times, Washington Post, Tokyo Journal and Success Magazine.

As founder of The Great Northwestern Greeting Seed Company in 1980, he introduced a unique line of gift-greeting cards with seeds, tea, potpourri, and spices inside each card. Over 15 million cards have been sold internationally.

PANELIST: Julian Gallow

Business Development for Aegis

Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Gallow has spent over 15 years leading, building and growing organizations. During this time, he has developed deep expertise in an array of industries including enterprise software, specialized hardware, finance and manufacturing. Prior to joining Aegis, Mr. Gallow served in executive leadership positions at various companies serving customers such as Reuters, HP/Compaq, Bristol-Myers Squibb, DaimlerChrysler, Siemens, Tyco, GE and Dell, as well as various military and other local and national government bodies. Mr. Gallow has lived and worked on three continents, including 15 years in Europe. He holds an MS in Management from Stanford Business School.

PANELIST: Mark E. Behrens

President of TriSynergy Consulting LLC

Mark is a successful independent consultant serving executives responsible for contact centers and customer relationship management, sales, service, and support.  He is  an architect of business solutions working with strategy, organization, business processes and technology applications.  Mark’s business and technology experience enable him to effectively develop and share visions for future solutions across IT and operational lines and from executive levels to line staff. He has an exceptional ability to rapidly synthesize many different inputs and perspectives into creative and workable solutions.

Over 25 years of experience in process and technology integration – bringing together business process analysis, multiple software applications and other technologies to create effective solutions supporting business change – benefit Mark’s current clients. Prior to founding TriSynergy Consulting in 2001, Mark was a Principal and CRM consulting practice lead at Grant Thornton, consulting Manager at Deloitte & Touche, and held corporate management positions ranging from project manager to CIO.  Mark earned his MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago after graduating summa cum laude in Accounting from Bradley University. An award-winning speaker and writer, he is a regular contributor to national customer service and contact center conferences.  His blog is published at trisynergyllc.wordpress.com and he contributes to Twitter exchanges on CRM, social media, and contact centers under the Twitter “tag” TriSynergyLLC.

HOST: Steve Baker

Senior Fellow, Business Advisor and Author

Steve Baker is a small business advocate with a passion for business and a drive for success. As a founder of successful companies, a corporate executive and business advisor, he has over 25 years of experience developing and launching new businesses. He has led companies in every phase of business cycle from startup to exit in both private and public sectors. He guided one of his startup companies through a successful public offering of stock (IPO) and achieved revenues of $500 million.

Steve directs business development and strategic marketing, and has taken companies from startup to millions of dollars in revenues in such diverse industries as international travel, financial software, franchising, manufacturing, ergonomics, medical devices, migraine headache treatment, and an international medical wellness resort.

As a small business advocate, Steve thrives on the challenge of solving problems that impede business growth and success. As a Senior Fellow at the DaVinci Institute, a futurist think-tank, he enjoys helping entrepreneurs succeed. He is the author of the award winning book Pushing Water Uphill With A Rake and is a frequent public speaker to business groups and university students, discussing entrepreneurship and ethics.