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William Sovie

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Director, Client Services, Raybec Communications

420 points

I have a history of high-profile operations, sales and client management achievement. With a deep knowledge of business operations, pipeline development and sales process management, I have consistently met or surpassed all performance objectives, while maintaining strong relationships with “C-Suite ...

I have a history of high-profile operations, sales and client management achievement. With a deep knowledge of business operations, pipeline development and sales process management, I have consistently met or surpassed all performance objectives, while maintaining strong relationships with “C-Suite” decision makers.

I am passionate about learning, leadership, coaching and mentorship. With an extensive background in business development, channel sales and contact center operations, I am accustomed to collaborating with others to create strategies that quickly effect bottom-line results. Maximizing opportunities for new and existing business, I have consistently driven high performance and improved customer satisfaction.

I am technically proficient and well-versed in the deployment of CRM/customer engagement technologies. I always exploring new ways for organizations to effectively be engaged with the communities they serve - online and offline.

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Dec. 9, 2011

William Sovie answered this question

What are some secrets to being more productive when working from home?

Hello Nicholas,
I don't know about secrets, but as someone who works from a home office on a regular basis, here are some of my suggestions.
1) Discuss working from home with your family before doing so. This is especially true if you have young ... more

Self Improvement

Aug. 25, 2011

William Sovie and 14 other people answered this question

What are the most common challenges managers face?

Hello Alex,
I would suggest that the most common challenge is the management of change. Specifically, ensuring that yourself, your team and your area of the business are clearly focused on the objectives of the organization yet also be responsive to, in fact anticipating, the ever-changing ... more

General Management

Human Resources

Aug. 3, 2011

William Sovie and 8 other people answered this question

Did we 'fail' at CRM?

Hello Caty,
Interesting question. I would not necessarily agree that we have "failed" at CRM, but would concede that CRM has not reached it potential and we risk having the same experience with "social CRM" - whatever that is - if we do not learn from ... more

Enterprise Software

July 14, 2011

William Sovie and 5 other people answered this question

When you became a new manager/leader, did you receive any training on how to manage/lead?

Brenden,
Great question. One that is gettinng a lot of attention lately.
I have successfully been managing people for about twnety (20) years. I did not receive any training when I was first promoted into a management role and have not received any since. Fortunately for my ... more

General Management

Human Resources

July 1, 2011

William Sovie and 5 other people answered this question

What is the secret to formulating a winning Sales Strategy?

Hello Brian,
I'm with Andrew in that there are no secrets here. The Sales organization must know its strenghts relative to the marketplace and then plan to position those in the most favourable manner. The Sales organization needs to be very sure about who its target ... more

Sales Enablement Tactics

Sales Management

June 13, 2011

William Sovie answered this question

Is Facebook the next MySpace?

Hello John,
While I wouldn't conclude that Facebook is on the same (or even a similar) path to MySpace, I would suggest that Facebook users, advertisers and the marketplace are looking for a meaningful answer to the question - What's next for Facebook? Facebook appears not ... more

June 9, 2011

William Sovie and 1 other person answered this question

Should recent graduates who are having trouble finding work keep trying or just go back to school?

Hello Charlie,
Great question, and not only in the current economy. As a non-college graduate, I should be upfront about my bias - which is toward getting out there. Unless you are in a specialized business field like accounting and/or finance, I would respectfully suggest that ... more

Human Resources

Candidate Experience

Graduate Programs

June 9, 2011

William Sovie and 10 other people answered this question

Should general management training be required for all 1st time managers?

Hello Caty,
I'd approach with caution. Just as being in a particular role for a period of time (or bing the "best" performer) is no indicator of management ability neither is completing some form of mandated generic management training.
I would rather see organizations take the approcah ... more

General Management

Human Resources

May 20, 2011

William Sovie and 4 other people answered this question

Do you listen in and participate in on online webcasts and webinars? Are they worth it?

Hello Michael,
I used to listen to/participate in a great deal more of this activity than I have recently. I have found that most of these venues purport to be about education, but in reality are more about prospecting and in many cases are outright promotional.
As ... more

April 27, 2011

William Sovie is now following Sindy Martin and 2 other people

April 25, 2011

William Sovie and 1 other person answered this question

Who are you as a salesperson?

Hello Norman,
I am a problem solver, who is able to view the business of my prospect/client objectively and provide advice that results in an improvement (growth) in the business. In the short-term this sometimes means taking myself, and my employer, out of the equation. In ... more

Sales Management

Sales Strategies

April 25, 2011

William Sovie answered this question

How can social media be utilized in launching of a new product ?

Hello Mohi,
I think the simple answer is "Yes." Perhaps the more important question is, "Is the market for the new product active on social media?" If your product is aimed at the B2B space, then social media is likely not the most effective launch pad. more

April 25, 2011

William Sovie answered this question

Can Google's +1 Take On The Facebook Like?

Hello J,
A lot of other questions behind your apparently simple question; Does The Facebook "Like" need to be challenged? Is challenging "Like" part of Google's strategy?
I am not convinced that the "Like" is worthy of being challenged as there is little evidence that it (
Like") ... more

Facebook Like Button

March 28, 2011

William Sovie answered this question

What leadership business strategies do you value most?

Dawna,
Thanks for the great counter to your esteemed colleague.
From my perspective, Vision is paramount. And further, I would put a premium on longitudinal vision. Am not convinced that the "worm's eye" view is as critical as you suggest as I would expect an experienced ... more

General Management

Business Strategy

March 1, 2011

William Sovie and 7 other people answered this question

What's wrong if someone buys email list from a vendor like us?

Anna,
Good email vendors can expect ongoing longevity. The national do not call registry did not kill telemarketing and/or telemarketing list vendors. and I don't believe that a similar development for email will kill that industry either. Frankly, if someone doesn't want to receive email, no ... more

Email Marketing

March 1, 2011

William Sovie and 2 other people answered this question

Is Twitter "an extension of me" or a media outlet?

Brian,
Really more a sociological question than a marketing question. It depends on how you define yourself. It also depends on your online persona. I think Kim Kardasian on Twitter is a media outlet. Bob Johnson on Twitter is probably just Bob Johnson.
Cheers,
William more

Digital Marketing

March 1, 2011

William Sovie and 15 other people answered this question

Do you think Facebook will end the era of Email? What makes Mark Zuckerberg think like that?

Anna,
Thanks for your response. Actually, doesn't happen here very often. Not only are there any number of viable/necessary uses for email as part of the ongoing promotion of social networks, there are probably more likely candidates for the role of email killer (possibly Twitter. SMS ... more

Mark Zuckerberg

Feb. 12, 2011

William Sovie is now following

Feb. 12, 2011

William Sovie is now following

Feb. 12, 2011

William Sovie is now following

Feb. 12, 2011

William Sovie is now following

Jan. 25, 2011

William Sovie and 2 other people answered this question

What are some things that you train sales reps to NEVER do/say?

Lauren,
For me there are only two (2) things that fall into this category.
1) Never bad mouth another organization - product, service, etc.
2) Never bad mouth other people.
All sales people have been in situations where it would be easy (and perhaps justifiable) ... more

Sales Training and Coaching

Dec. 22, 2010

William Sovie and 2 other people answered this question

What requirements should I explore before buying a new CRM?

Kim,
Without taking issue with what Ghassan has written above, I believe that there are more fundamental internal requirements which are more critical to your selection of an appropriate CRM.
1) Process Definition - Are the Sales, Marketing, Order Processing, Provisioning, etc processes of your ... more

Customer Service

Customer Experience

Dec. 22, 2010

William Sovie and 3 other people answered this question

How can organizations make automation feel to customers like it was designed primarily for them?

Chip,
By simply designing it primarily for them. Ask current customers about their experiences with the technology you currently employ before investing in anything new. This avoids the watsed time and cost associated with guessing and/or assuming what your customers want/need from a service automation ... more

Dec. 21, 2010

William Sovie and 14 other people answered this question

Customer service is crucial to success, so why do so many companies fail to provide quality service?

Jay,
Great question and one which I have struggled with myself. Although, as a consultant, a question from which I have personnally profited.
The only rational suggestions I can provide are
1) Leadership - The CEO is simply too far removed from customer service in ... more

Customer Service

Contact Centers

Dec. 21, 2010

William Sovie asked a question

What is the process to obtain legal authorization to work and live in the USA?

Dec. 15, 2010

William Sovie answered this question

When dealing with tech support, what communication method do you prefer?

Jeff,
I am relatively self-sufficient in the technical sphere and have preferred contact by telephone when necessary. Recently. however, I have tried chat, specifically, allowing remote connection, and have been very pleased. I have found the chat tools easy to use and remote connection has ... more

Customer Service

Communication Interface

Contact Centers

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General Management

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