Jim Blanford
*** ****** ***** ********, **** ****3 Home: 513-***-**** Cell: 561-***-**** **********@***.***
Innovative Manager seeks position offering opportunities for new professional and personal challenges. Self-starter with a positive, can-do attitude who is driven to learn, improve and succeed.
Career Overview
Core Strengths
Accomplishments
Vendor management
Sales:
Initiated coaching and mentoring to work with others in sales and management.
Staff Development:
Worked closely with upper-management to achieve sales growth in all areas.
Customer Service:
Improved customer service satisfaction by working smarter to reduce complaints and improve customer retention.
Management:
Strong organizational skills
Creative problem solver
Excellent communication skills
Training development
Inventory control
Customer Service
Increased business in excess of $1 Million dollars annually through innovative and successful sales efforts
Interacted and lead a team of 21 sales associates.
Consistently train and motivate employees in the sales process.
Ensure quality of Customer Service.
Strong interpersonal skills.
Responsible for handling customer inquiries, accurately providing information to ensure resolution of product or service complaints and ensure customer satisfaction.
Managed successfully all day-to-day operations for a 60,000, and a 114,000 square foot showroom and warehouse.
Directed new store openings and set up main floor displays and merchandising.
Implemented hiring, scheduling, training, mentoring, coaching and growing of associates.
Provide strong leadership, Team player.
Create and maintain a positive work environment.
Supervised sales team to monitor sales activity and goal achievement.
Sales marketing
Business development
Team building skills
Management experience
Leadership skills
Morris July 2012 to
& Ashley Home Furnishings June 2014
Florence, KY General Manager Managed the day-to-day tactical and long-term strategic activities within the business.Reduced and controlled expenses by improving resource allocation.Reviewed and approved billing invoices and expense reports.Highlighted the difference between competitive brands and managed brands through innovative merchandising campaigns.Offered feedback to executive-level management on the effectiveness of strategies, selling programs and initiatives.Established knowledge-sharing processes for sales and office associates throughout the organization.
March 2011 to
Riley's Home Furnishings June 2012
Monroe, Ohio Showroom /Sales Manager
November 2009 to
Watson's of Cincinnati January 2011
Sales and Customer Service
June 2007 to
Carl's Patio Furniture/Florida September 2008
Boca Raton, FL Store Management/Sales/Customer Service
March 2005 to
Modernage Furniture/Florida January 2007
Ft.Lauderdale, FL Store Management/Sales/Customer Service
January 2003 to
City Furniture March 2005
Boca Raton, FL Store Management/Sales/Customer Service
September 1987 to
Thomasville/Furniture Fair Home Furnishings October 2002
Cincinnati, Ohio Store Management/Sales/Customer Service
Xavier University Cincinnati, OH National Seminars Assertive training for Achievers Dale Carnegie Cincinnati, OH Leadership training for managers
Professional Experience
Store Management, sales, and customer service. Leading a team of 13 plus sales associates to reach goals. Surpassed revenue goals in last three consecutive quarters.Trained, coached and mentored staff to ensure smooth adoption of new sales processes in place.Help to develop and roll out new policies to make things current and practical in todays work environment. Team leader of sales and training to coach associates to grow in all ares of responsibility.
All aspects of daily operations & Sales.
Education and Coursework