Testimonials, Clients and Recommendations

“Since 2007 when I hired Rick Erling as my personal Career Coach, I have become a true "Value Forward Selling" ambassador.. Rick has worked with myself and sales teams at two companies now since 2007, Rick in my mind is a lifetime career mentor and a friend, I utilize the Value Forward Selling and Marketing, Business Growth U.S. CxO Group branded sales phiilosophy and best practices every day.. My sales production and CxO level relationship building results have soared over the past four years Thanks Rick, you delivered far more than you promised! Wishing you a pro$perpou$ 2012 and beyond!"

Todd Brouillette Sales Professional IT Sector

"When I first encountered Rick and The CXO Group, I was initially seeking the guidance of a Business Coach.  I had no idea I would be getting an "Extreme Makeover" of my business.  There were many facets of my business model that were dramatically improved in addition to the coaching.  Strategy, Marketing, Operations, Business Development and Corporate Identity are just some of the things he helped me establish.  I highly recommend Rick and his associates to anyone looking to take their business to another level!"

Michael Hijada, CEO - Vacant Home SELLutions

Rick provides sound advice and custom strategies to help lead your business to the next level of success. He accomplishes this through gaining an intimate understanding of the people and processes of each client he works with. Leverage Ricks knowledge and experience to move forward and compete in todays tough economy!

Doug Ayers, VP Comerica Bank

“Rick Erling brought real value to our team. He helped us formulate a go to market strategy that got us quickly past uncertainty and into implementation. Rick showed me data and tactics that have been proven profitable in similar businesses that really improved our product. And he was easy to work with. I would recommend Rick without hesitation to anyone interested in growing their business in the smartest, easiest way possible.”

David Zahaluk, MD Founder, Ultimate Practice Builder

David Buskirk, President - Colin County Blinds

"Cold-calling techniques have not only quadrupled our hit rate, they have created an environment within my team where cold-calling is actually viewed as productive time" "Paul's program is the first, and I've been through many in my 15 years in sales, that provides practical strategies and tactics you can implement immediately and see results. His cold-calling techniques have not only quadrupled our hit rate, they have created an environment within my team where cold-calling is actually viewed as productive time. The 20-minute qualifying meeting is especially timely considering that the current technology buying climate is one with many lookers and few qualified buyers. This technique allows you to quickly cycle through those lookers and identify the buyers, drastically reducing your sales cycle. Lastly, the 3 box Monty is the most effective and original technique I've used to fully involve all members of the prospect's team in the sales process."

Steve Novak, Account Executive

"Your workshops are concise, professional and very informative. I picked up some excellent information that will definitely make our sales team more efficient."

Steve Teas, Vice President - Entech Signs

"As a CEO of a growth directed company I have worked with the Value Forward Group for 3 years. During this time they have advised us on our product and service offerings, branding, pricing, marketing, sales process, operations structure and financial management P and L layout and scorecards to measure our performance. As CEO coaches, the total business knowledge and best practices thought leadership is very detailed and unusually unique. Through this guidance we have increased our total company performance and reduced our business operating expenses while simultaneously growing our business."

Joe Mosed, CEO - DSS Systems, Inc.

 

Our methods have been featured in.....

Investor’s Daily, the New York Times, Fox News, Selling Power Magazine, Sales and Marketing Magazine, CIO Magazine, CFO Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine, Training Magazine, Marketing Magazine, Transport Times, Computer World Magazine, Entrepreneur Radio, Chicago Tribune, The Cleveland Sunday Paper, Kansas City Small Business Monthly, The Manager's Intelligence Report, Agent's Sales Journal, Executive Travel Magazine, Wisconsin Professional Journal, Time Compression Technologies Magazine, Minorities and Women Magazine, Broker Agent News, World Fence News, Affluent Magazine, Value Added Partners, The Merchant Magazine, Pennsylvania Business Central Magazine, and many others.   Client business growth results...... Industry: IT Software Application to the Government Location: Northeast Revenue: $110M   Results:   Increased revenue 22% year over year Reduced expenses 3% Developed two new markets Set up a business growth scorecard   Industry: Network and Managed Services to SMB Market Location: Northeast Revenue: $30M   Results: Increased revenue 12% year over year Reduced expenses 4% Changed P and L’s & reorganized the company’s org chart Increased new total new business capture by 35%   Industry: Reseller VAR Location: Southeast Revenue: $7M   Results: Increased revenue 12% year over year Reduced expenses 4% Changed P and L’s Reorganized all marketing materials Increased inbound leads by 80% Industry: Professional Services and Project Work Location: Southeast Revenue: $2M   Results: Increased revenue 19% year over year Improved marketing penetration into 3 new markets Helped them sell their 5 new companies   Industry: IT Software Company to Global 1000 firms Location: West Coast Revenue: $8M   Results: Increased revenue 31% year over year Reduced marketing expenses by 14% but increased qualified leads by 17% Created 3 new business vertical markets   Industry: IT Software Company -- SMB market Location: West Coast Revenue: $37M   Results: Increased revenue 18% year over year Reduced marketing expenses by 4% but increased qualified leads by 79% Created 3 new business vertical markets   Industry: IT Staff Aug Location: Chicago Revenue: $89M   Results: Closed down two non-profitable divisions Increased revenue 14% year over year Reduced marketing expenses by 34% but increased qualified leads by 17%   Industry: Staff Aug, Government Sales Location: West Coast Revenue: $15M   Results: Developed 1 new business vertical Increased revenue 13% year over year Reduced marketing expenses by 21% but increased gross margin by 6%   Our clients...... The Value Forward Group works with multiple clients in marketing, sales, and strategy consulting, including privately-held firms, VC-funded companies and public companies such as:       * Microsoft Corporate * Hughes Software Worldwide     * Accenture * CBIZ     * E-LYNXX * Bullet Freight     * Safari Leadership School * Tyco     * The Matlen Silver Group * FYI Technology Solutions     * Information Dynamics * SNAPS     * Blue Shoe Technologies * Skyward     * Mercury Installation Services * Indiana Innovation Center     * Carrier Logistics * Distribution and LTL Carriers Association     * Lanier Corporate * EMSO Medical Centers     * Comodo Group * Deltek     * IBM * Patni     * Axis Computer Systems * Spherion     * Progress Software Corp. * Enterasys Networks     * Abba Technologies * Convergent Technologies     * Cornerstone * CAST Software     * xwave * Compushare     * NCS Group * Paragon Computer     * Infomatica * Aithenet     * Savant * TUSC Technology     * Mitchell Humphrey * Falconstor Software     * Alias * Marathon Data     * Alliance Technologies * Sun Systems     * Via Networks * AT&T/Technion     * Systime * CCI Triad     * Navitaire * Call Fusion Conferencing     * SouthWare * Dragonpoint Software     * Medseek * Jackson Software     * Forsythe Technologies * Merit Networks     * relationshipwellbeing.com * SL Corporation     * Aptera Software * Managed Systems, Inc.      * Arrival Communications    Our methods are recommend by..... Listen to our LIVE Radio Interview on Business Growth Strategies     quotes us in Firms, Clients Facing Business Trial by Fire     recommends our sales methods in The Hardest Job in IT     quotes us in Cold-Call Cascade Tips for dodging some of thosepesky technology pitches.     quotes us in Growing Your Business in Difficult Economic Times   features our article Practice “Consequence Management” to Close More Sales features our article Tips to Increase Your Cold Calling Success features our article Sell value first, brand second

The CxO Group is a certified partner of the Value Forward Network...