Frank Williamson/Oaklyn Consulting
Oaklyn Consulting is a different kind of investment banking firm for privately-owned companies. They help clients complete mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and other strategic transactions; arrange financing; and manage investor relationships. By working as consultants, not brokers, they help in situations where other investment bankers cannot.
Gene Harrison/Business Wise
Business Wise does what no other company does: local research. For over 40 years, Business Wise has researched the markets of Atlanta, Charlotte and Dallas-Fort Worth. Daily updates of the business demographics by local researchers provides subscribers the key decision makers in the every changing business marketplace. Whether cold calls, email marketing, post mail or leveraging references and referrals, Business Wise fills the pipeline.
Joe Godfrey/Oconee State Bank
Oconee State Bank was founded in 1959 by a group of community leaders that recognized the need for a bank in Oconee County. Today Oconee State bank has 4 full-service financial centers: Athens, Bogart, Watkinsville and Gwinnett. All locations offer a full array of products that allow the bank to be essential to the lives, business and communities they serve.
In this special episode of “Simon Says, Let’s Talk Business“, host Al Simon answers listeners’ questions and offers the best tips and advice for successful sales prospecting.
Al Simon/Sandler Training by Simon
Sandler Training by Simon specializes in training and coaching in the areas of sales, leadership, sales management and customer service. They specialize in teaching business owners and sales professionals to be effective and consistent with their business development strategies, tactics and attitudes.
A graduate of Georgia Tech with a B.S. degree in Industrial Management, Al Simon has over 35 years of direct sales experience, and he has also been exposed to many different sales strategies and approaches. Consistently the top performer in sales volume for his company before starting Sandler Training by Simon, he has mastered the art of selling in both simple and complex sales cycles. He has also successfully managed salespeople in highly competitive, high-risk situations.
Nick Masino/Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce
The mission of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce is to “champion business”. It’s vision is to be the leading advocate and innovative resource for businesses to connect and thrive.
Established in 1947 as a rural chamber of commerce serving farmers and banks, the Gwinnett Chamber grew and changed alongside Gwinnett County. Today, it serves more than 2,200 members throughout metro Atlanta by delivering programs that strengthen and connect businesses locally, regionally and globally.
At the Gwinnett Chamber, there is strength in numbers. Because it represents more than 2,200 companies, it can offer significant member discounts and present a unified voice in matters of public policy that affect the business community. In addition, the Chamber provides opportunities for like-minded business people to connect with one another and expand their business network and increase the exposure of their business. It also offers opportunities to learn about issues and best practices related to running a successful business.
The Chamber’s economic development team, Partnership Gwinnett, is a public-private initiative dedicated to bringing new jobs and capital investment to Gwinnett County. Since 2007, Partnership Gwinnett has worked with its local partners to attract and retain jobs, cultivate capital investment, support educational institutions, foster workforce development, and contribute to the exceptional quality of life found in Gwinnett and the Atlanta region.
David McMullen/Luckie and Company
Luckie and Company is the marketing solutions agency that combines data, technology, strategy and creativity to bring you closer to your customer, spot new opportunities, and achieve results luck can’t explain.
Tony Rushin/Network 1
Network 1 designs, builds and supports the IT you need to run your business more securely, productively and successfully. Whether you want to outsource all of your IT needs to a reliable, responsive, service-oriented company or need to supplement the work of your internal IT staff, they will carefully evaluate where you are now, discuss where you want to go, and implement and support a plan to get you there with as little interruption as possible.
Jan Heybroek/MDoutlook
MDoutlook is the power behind life sciences brands, giving them tools and resources to achieve their full potential. They help brand experts, market research and medical affairs teams make better decisions by providing market insights, clear answers on complex questions and actionable recommendations.
They specialize in oncology, hematology and rare diseases, for both in-market treatments and new product launches. Their game-changing digital platform Lumineer™ serves as the engine to map, rank and prioritize global, national, regional and local thought leaders, clinicians, peer-to-peer connections, and influencers. Their team delivers higher value to marketing, research, sales and MSL Teams with best-in-class HCP identification, engagement, networking and territory planning, and innovative research studies, practice sharing initiatives, clinician engagement, and custom insights.
Ethan King/Zeus’ Closet
From starving artist to owning multiple million-dollar brands, Ethan King believes YOU have the power to transform your life in every area – financially, spiritually, physically, intellectually, in relationships, and in fun/lifestyle. Ethan was once a struggling artist, with no business background, who evolved to start and scale multi-million dollar companies, while helping other entrepreneurs do the same. The co-founder and CEO of Zeus’ Closet also serves as former Atlanta chapter president and global member-leader in the nonprofit Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), an organization helping over 14,000 business owners in 62 countries grow personally and professionally.
Whether you need branded apparel for your business, custom wardrobe for a production, exclusive Greek gear, or you just want to make cool personalized gifts, Zeus’ Closet is your partner for success. Partner with Zeus’ Closet to help your brand stand out in a crowded marketplace. They specialize in personalized apparel & gifts, with advanced design, no minimums, and same-day service capabilities. They’re like a tattoo shop for your clothes with locations in West Midtown and Kennesaw. Or shop online at zeuscloset.com.
Tricia Houston/MMR LIVE Experience Design
MMR LIVE is an experience design consultancy that puts human emotions at the core of their work. They believe that everything about a brand communicates, and that staying relevant requires consistent adaptation. Their focus is closing experience gaps through the integration of research, creative thinking, and operational expertise. Their process takes the mystery out of brand loyalty and ensures your vision comes to life. They help you become more valuable to the people you care about. They help you become ExperienceBuilt™.
Josh Sweeney/FounderScale
FounderScale helps B2B companies increase sales by optimizing sales and marketing operations. They turn your sales and marketing team into a sales and marketing machine.
Larry Talbert/Talbert Insurance Services
Talbert Insurance Services is an independent agency with a large number of providers with a small company service feel. Live people answering the phones is very important to them, so all the phones in the office ring until someone answers. Of course, Covid has limited this a little, but they try their best. They have won Best in Gwinnett 10 years in a row and Best in Duluth 3 years in a row. They work for the customer, not the carrier.
