Talent Seal Resume
- 1. Linda M. Hickle 704 837-1438 Davidson, North Carolina E-mail: lhickle@bellsouth.net http://www.linkedin.com/in/lhickle I am a Business Development Professional whose strength lies in my natural ability to grow revenue and profits for organizations by creating winning strategies for today’s unique challenges in our new economy. I am particularly strong in helping companies effectively get to the sales conversation through adoption of new technology applications and new media that also quicken the sales cycle by getting direct access to decision makers, influencing the sale before we even walk into the meeting room, and continuously leveraging success to attract more and more opportunity. I serve as a change agent for how companies attract and win new customers in today’s global economy. Talent Themes (StrengthFinders 2.0): Strategic <> Learner <> Maximizer <> Individualization <> Positivity Strong Business Acumen Big Picture Thinker Business Developer Natural Communicator Presenter Networker Strategic High Touch, High Tech Creative PRINT® PERSONALITY ANALYSIS: Contributions include limitless energy and enthusiasm; “can do” mentality; innovative and creative ideas; wit, humor and entertainment; inspiration and spontaneity; a talent for networking, promoting and storytelling; and excellent multitasking skills. Natural strategies are to take advantage of opportunities and options, experience life to its fullest, focus on best case possibilities, stay busy and on the go, and move at a fast pace. Selected Achievements Successful marketing experience as agency leader developing new business through strategic communications plans with targeted community initiatives (chambers and SHRM chapters). Increased market share by 35% by securing both Federal and NC State contracts. Managed successful project rollout of first HMO in mountain counties of NC working with closely with local government leaders. Actively involved in the NC Healthcare scene for the last 10 years participating in NAHU chapters in the Triad, Hickory, and Charlotte, as well as State symposiums. Outstanding written and verbal skills with substantive experience in alliance building and establishing professional expertise using compelling communication and presentation skills. Learned from the ground floor the Insurance industry and products to create effective go-to-market strategies to win new customers from ‘scratch’ territory, selling and servicing over $300K of new business over 4 years. Resourceful and adaptable to be effective ‘hunter’ to meet new business objectives while servicing and retaining 99% of client base over 7 years. Secured a high profile government client by strategically crafting the right fit benefit solution that included an expansive network of brokers, carriers, and fulfillment partners. This solution saved the client $1M in the first year of implementation. 1
- 2. Linda M. Hickle 704 837-1438 Davidson, North Carolina E-mail: lhickle@bellsouth.net http://www.linkedin.com/in/lhickle Director of Benefits and Consulting, K&P Consulting, Charlotte, NC January 2010 to Present Joined this consulting group to expand my ability to solve HR problems beyond benefits to include the services offered by the K & P consultants in both Human Resources and Training. Keeps me involved with industry trends and projections and engaged with my large network of HR professionals and vendors. I love consulting because I’m paid to go into new situations and develop new competencies quickly. In addition to this freelancing, I have had the rare and rich experience to learn and grow both personally and professionally by investing in strategic alliances that expand my career options and provide new skills for our current economic market. I am actively engaged with the Career Professionals Center at CPCC, Access Coaching with Marilyn Carpenter, EQ Mentor, ProNet Charlotte, Davidson College Presbyterian Church Career Professionals, and other faith based organizations. Group Benefits Consultant, Carolina First Associates, Hickory, NC January - December 2009 After completing my REBC designation, to weather the layoff tsunami and give the Charlotte job market a chance to rebound, I joined a small benefits agency that specialized in individual and small group solutions. CFA wanted to add a large group division to expand their practice. I created a business model, began approaching prospective clients with over 100 employees, and started expanding the knowledge base of the staff. The foundation of implementation was educating the producers and service professionals on the technology I used in the large group market. This added value to their existing clients to increase retention and attracted prospective clients. Unfortunately, reduction in client employees, business closings, and health care reform impacted their small group market so severely that adding the large group division was abandoned at the end of the first year. Senior Account Executive, Benefit Controls of the Carolinas, Charlotte, NC April 2002 –August, 2008 Having worked with brokers as a health insurance company liaison, I wanted to provide a higher level of professionalism to the rural markets being served. I became a broker with a strong regional agency that was well established with a reputation for integrity and service. I quickly developed trusted partnerships in working with employers to create better benefit solutions using insurance products, vendor services, and communication strategies to meet client objectives. I focused on complex self funded options, market analysis, plan management, vendor performance, and wellness initiatives. I combined my understanding of the benefit issues with state of the art technology (Zywave) to analyze, communicate and develop communication plans to enhance my recommendations. I educated clients so they could make their best decisions. I managed vendors to work together to stay focused on the client, and saved over $1M for one client in the first year. I also became the practice leader for worksite/ voluntary benefit solutions and successfully integrated them into many corporate long range plans. Concerns regarding full disclosures and reorganization led to a very amicable end to our employment contract. I continued to do consulting on select marketing projects with them for another year. A Decade of Opportunity and Preparation_____________________________________ “QualChoice” is a trademarked, managed care organization franchise that is designed for large teaching Hospitals to get in the insurance business and gain market share for their organization and affiliates. My experience with the Ohio model as Senior Account Executive from 1992 to 1995 promoted me to North Carolina as Assistant to the VP of Sales and Marketing when North Carolina Baptist Hospital and Wake Forest University started QualChoice of North Carolina in 1995. In both start up organizations I was committed to the vision to raise awareness of the brand and gain membership by working directly with employers, brokers, and community leaders. Significant organizational and communication skills directed the RFP process and secured Federal, and State, Public school systems bids, and Union awards. In addition, I managed the enrollment process of over 200K members increasing market share by 35%. I moved on when they closed in December 2001. Beginning my career selling technology solutions for IBM in Cleveland, Ohio in January, 1980 gave me the opportunity to develop my professional demeanor, consultative sales skills and work successfully with different industries; government, manufacturing, process, healthcare, nonprofit and banking and various size organizations; small business, Fortune 100, Fortune 500, and International. During these 12 years, I learned about business and discovered my passion for technology solutions. 2
- 3. Linda M. Hickle 704 837-1438 Davidson, North Carolina E-mail: lhickle@bellsouth.net http://www.linkedin.com/in/lhickle EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS, AND PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & AWARDS B.S., Communication Science Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio Registered Health Underwriter (RHU) American College, Bryn Mawr, Pa Registered Employee Benefit Consultant (REBC) American College, Bryn Mawr, Pa Certification in Human Resource Development, Community Leadership CPCC, Charlotte, NC Society of Human Resource Managers (SHRM) Hickory, Winston-Salem, and Salisbury Chapters Sandler Sales Institute Charlotte, NC IBM Regional Pacesetter and 100% Clubs Great Lakes Region 3