Jim Booth
1327 Evers Avenue
Westchester, IL 60154
[Send email to request phone number] 23-0493
Jimbooth60154@gmail.com
A high-impact Business Leader in the fields of Product Development, Marketing
and Sales – with extensive emphasis on product and business development and
experience in corporate and entrepreneurial environments. Successful background
of market analysis and strategic planning: anticipating end-user demand and
creating a product or service to satisfy that demand at competitive, profitable
prices. Especially skillful at identifying business opportunities, creating
plans to achieve them, marshalling internal and external resources, and launching
with speed and efficiency. Proven ability to manage sales and marketing teams to
generate revenues beyond requirements and expectations.
Extensive professional skills & experience, including:
· Starting & Running a New Business
· Over-Achieving Revenue Targets
· Negotiating with Vendors & Suppliers
· Designing E-Commerce Strategies
· Implementing TV Marketing Campaigns
· Assuming Full P & L Accountability
· Maximizing Customer Satisfaction
· Hiring, Training & Team-Building
· Negotiating & Closing Transactions
· Aligning Partnerships with Major Players
· Conducting Insightful Market Research
· Managing Effective Turnaround Plans
· Adding Value to Products & Services
· Cutting Costs & Boosting Profits
Professional Background
General Manager The Prairie Stone Group Hillside, IL
2007 – Present
· Developed Business Strategy for a Private Equity Group consisting primarily of
Physicians.
· Conducted Market Research to determine which areas of suburban Chicago could
support new housing in the current soft housing construction market. I am
currently managing the process to bring the first parcel of farm land to be zoned
for development.
· Pinpointed specific geographic regions that are most susceptible to the
sub-prime mortgage fallout by developing an exit strategy before we began a
marketing campaign.
· Fostered relationships with commercial realtors, banks and attorneys to fund
the commercial office portion of the three pronged portfolio building strategy.
Founder & President Emagination Crafts, Inc. Elmhurst, IL
1999 – 2007
· Opened company and grew sales to $1 million within one year, producing a
$100,000 net profit.
· Became face of company as TV persona, appearing monthly on Shop-at-Home TV’s
Craft and Scrapbook Shows. Also appeared on Home Shopping Network and had
products appear on QVC.
· Oversaw development, design and layout of Web Site. Company became a strong
player in the paper crafting product industry through web growth. The Web Site
generated over 16% of 2005 revenues at full retail margins.
· Uncovered one of two US manufacturers of a product that was emerging as an
industry trend. Negotiated an exclusive supply contract, forcing competitors to
use Asian sources while enjoying six months of exclusivity.
· Analyzed consumer returns and found a common thread. Implemented new
packaging procedures which resulted in a 90% reduction in returns, and a higher
profit margin for the product.
· Investigated the most commonly asked consumer question through implementation
of detailed call logs. Prepared a web-based “tips and tricks” page, slashing
incoming consumer calls by 60%.
· Developed a new adhesive-backed vellum product (“The Vellums”) which received
the “Innovative Product of the Year” award from the Hobby Industry Association.
Vice President, Sales & Marketing McGill, Inc. Marengo, IL
1997 – 1999
· Contracted to expand McGill’s Paper Punch presence from the office products
arena into the craft market. Formulated a complete marketing plan and pricing
structure, attacking the weaknesses of the competition. Achieved the goal of
dramatic market expansion and turned the company from five consecutive years of
losses to one of profitability.
Jim Booth -- page 2 (Professional Background, continued)
· Managed 30 independent sales representative organizations, providing
nationwide coverage to both the Office Products and Craft Industries; handled
recruiting, hiring and training
National Sales Manager, Consumer Products Rittenhouse Paper Co. Park Ridge,
IL 1996 – 1997
· Charged with developing a mass market presence for an industrial printer. Led
a design and marketing team to create a product line and secure placement in five
national retailers within six months.
· Conducted a comprehensive study on the spending habits of teachers for
classroom supplies. Developed a line of teacher incentives called the “B.U.G.
Club” (Bringing Up Grades) which was successfully launched at the National
Back-to-School Show.
Director, Sales & Marketing Mailaway Division of Tape, Inc. Green Bay,
WI 1993 – 1996
· Solved a supplier monopoly dilemma by finding a manufacturer with excess
machine time. Established a new eco-friendly product that saved 20% and
immediately gained market share.
· Completed mass market contracts with Walgreen’s, Dollar General, HEB, Ames,
Hobby Lobby and Party Concepts.
Senior National Account Manager Bic Corporation Milford, CT
1981 – 1993
· Developed corporate marketing plans for national mail order accounts: Quill,
Reliable and Viking Office Products. Also assumed full P & L responsibility for
SP Richards, United Stationers and Boise Cascade Office Products.
· Created a marketing plan under which Quill Corporation gave away 100 ball
point pens to first-time customers acquired from prospect mailings. The
resulting purchase orders of one million units per order enabled Bic to keep a
machine running 24 hours. Quill Corp. realized a return rate of 8% on these
mailings, versus their previous average of 3.7%.
· Directed focus groups with teens and pre-teens on colors and patterns in
school supplies. Established a line of fashionable Bic writing instruments for
these targeted markets.
· Promoted several times, holding positions of National Account Manager, Product
Manager, Assistant Production Manager and Zone Manager. Awarded Zone Manager of
the Year once and National Account Manager of the Year twice.
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