Richard Heaven

I have a 20 year history of double-digit growth in the major appliance and furniture industries, with the proven ability to quickly evaluate a customer’s challenges and goals and offer solutions that create true partnerships. Successes include: --Launching BrandSource as a new national retail brand in Canada, becoming the first coast-to-coast Canadian independent retailer banner with shared advertising and a website to compete with national accounts. --Pioneering furniture sales into the U.S., obtaining 20 new customers and generating revenues of $1.2M in just one year. --Spearheading the launch team that introduced three-door refrigerators into Canada, exceeding the market penetration goal by 5%. With an outstanding track record of motivating, coaching, and developing high-performing sales teams, I develop “challenge” sales cultures that engage the sales team to exceed stretch targets. My efforts have included the following: --Realigning a sales team’s focus to be more customer-service oriented, providing them with the training, clear expectations, and processes to ensure their personal and professional success. --Empowering sales managers with opportunities for career and personal growth to reduce turnover by 80%. --Mentoring and developing a sales executive who subsequently received the 2012 British Columbia Furniture Sales Representative of the Year award. I have been responsible for sales in excess of $400M, managed multi million dollar budgets and led teams of as many as 13. I have consistently grown revenues despite economic conditions and other extenuating circumstances, because the word “can’t” is not in my vocabulary. I manage to stay a step ahead in the industry, so that I can see—and capitalize on—changes in the market place and emerging opportunities. My business acumen is well-respected by my employers, who have made sure that I’m at the table when companywide decisions are being made. I’m a great sales leader – and so much more.