Tony Eldridge

Experience

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  Charles Schwab

  Jan 1997 - May 2002

  Manager

  Assumed control of struggling team of 48 stockbrokers and initiated training plans to completely turn around performance. Collaborated with directors to implement training and development strategies while monitoring call center staffing levels, risk management, customer dispute resolution, audit adherence, and HR issues. Functioned as both Certified In-House Trainer & Sales Facilitator.• Transformed team ranked #22 (of 25) regionally into Top 8 (of 80) in nation by implementing valuable training programs. Created and conducted training on highly specialized products, including options, margins, and Series 7 preparation, often too complex for company trainers.• Coached team to consistently perform in Top 15% on Quality Assurance and Business Development measurements. Averaged $15M quarterly in new assets.• Presented Professional Selling Skills training to investment representatives and sales agents. Enhanced delivery by creating hands-on job tools, powerful probes, and supporting statements. Altered training to address critical issues such as diversity management and change management.• Invited by management to deliver 45-minute ad-hoc training overviews on specific subjects at weekly team meetings, including computer enhancements, sales techniques, and best practices.• Outstanding performance resulted in numerous awards, including Employee of the Quarter, Manager of the Month, and Chairman’s Division. Attained “National Excellence in Service” Award for developing system that increased quarterly assets from $12M to over $60M.Additional Positions: Team Lead/Supervisor & Registered Representative (1997 – 2000) Show less

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  Author

  Jan 2002 - Sept 2015

  Three Books

  • Author of the action/adventure book, The Samson Effect, that Clive Cussler calls a "first rate thriller brimming with intrigue and adventure" • Author of Twitter marketing book, Conducting Effective Twitter Contests which helps people find targeted Twitter followers• Author of the mystery/thriller novel, The Lottery Ticket• As self-published author of The Samson Effect, initiated grassroots guerilla marketing campaign that led to cover quote from best-selling author and features in 6 major market newspapers/bookstores and 30+ high-traffic websites. Created contest for subscribers, secured 25+ speaking events, and gained international exposure that resulted in Author of the Month, Reader’s Choice, Editor’s Choice, and Publisher’s Choice honors as well as selling film rights to major Hollywood producer.• All books are available on Amazon.com Show less

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  Edward Jones

  Jan 2002 - Jan 2003

  Investment Representative

  Created financial and sales/marketing plans to drive product sales to individuals and businesses. Managed office staff, entailing branch P&L accountability and advertising budget. Forged and cultivated relationships with various businesses and civic organizations. Personally contacted 100% of clients and prospects.• Planned and led seminars to educate clients, organizations, and business associations on financial planning.• Grew assets under management from $7M to $12M in 6 months.

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  Technicallead.com

  Sept 2005 - Apr 2007

  Director of Sales and Marketing

  Established Sales and Marketing organization, encompassing development of key training initiatives and launch of new products on a weekly basis. Controlled $300K annual marketing budget and two departmental budgets.• Identified short-term, mid-range, and long-term training needs by holding high-level planning sessions with owner, IT, and Product Development. • Conceptualized training covering industry, company, strategic advantage, new products, and career development.• Organized schedule and conducted training sessions via classroom, WebEx, one-on-one coaching, and seminars.• Authored product launch procedures, documented individual and departmental responsibilities in each phase of launch life cycle, and created SOPs for Sales/Marketing, vendors, and employee communications.• Formulated plans and milestones to rollout one new product each week without missing a deadline.• Implemented three-prong strategy to achieve 5-year revenue goals in 18 months. Leveraged high-traffic websites by providing free video training content and sponsored contests, growing subscriber base from 70,000 to over 500,000 in under 2 years. Bundled products with cost-effective yet high value added components, increasing base price of videos sold by over 300%• Designed web pages for products, managed/wrote for company's seven newsletters, created all ads and company collateral, managed Yahoo and Google ad campaigns. Acquired new leads for less than $.50 and achieved a 30%-50% monthly ROI on Internet ad dollars spent. Show less

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  Marketing Tips For Authors

  Feb 2009 - Sept 2015

  Social Media Marketer, Author/Blogger

  Founded company to help authors, then other business professionals learn to promote and market themselves on the web. Created website, e-commerce site, multiple newsletters and instructional videos. Reached out to industry leaders for numerous joint venture activities and launched company-created product.• Often quoted by Writer's Digest managing editor and numerous other sites for marketing insights. • Guerrilla marketing and social media expert frequently invited by other companies to deliver teleseminars/ webinars/podcasts.• Launched blog that quickly reached national prominence, launched unique video-ebook product that helps businesses create effective social media campaigns, and created a growing subscription to newsletter that delivers video tips to small business owners. Created numerous joint-venture relationships with industry leaders.• Traveled nationwide to coach and train sales/management professionals during merger between AT&T Wireless and Cingular Wireless. Show less

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  State Farm

  Dec 2015 - now

  I am the conductor of extraordinary vendor partnerships, spearheading the management of vendor work and relationships for Agency Learning. Leveraging strong relationship management and negotiation skills, I build and maintain high quality vendor relationships so we can quickly go to market with new and innovative solutions that fit our strategic vision. I apply my judgment and deep analytical thinking skills to determine the best decisions using a cost benefit analysis approach that shows the return on our budget investments. Show less

  • Vendor Relationship Manager

    Jun 2024 - now

  • Learning Analyst

    May 2020 - now

  • Learning Delivery Facilitator

    Dec 2015 - May 2020