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1. Linda L. Forest_____________________________
Dallas Texas * 615.943.9622 * lindalforest@yahoo.com
Business Development & Applied Technology Coach
Experienced professional with expertise in corporate education, consulting, and business-to-
business sales (B2B). Passion is coaching decision-makers on the applied use of computer and
telecommunications technologies to improve business efficiencies, internal communications,
marketing, and internet exposure.
Analytical Skills Office Applications
Change Management Training
B2B Consultative Sales Coaching
Customer Support Presentation Skills
Business Process Training Curriculum Development
Web-based Training
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL FINANCIAL NETWORK: Tallahassee, FL 2008-2009
Technology Coach – Network Office Leadership Team
Responsible for consulting with new and existing independent insurance agents to integrate
complex, corporate-provided computer software designed to improve business practices.
Analyzed existing business processes to identify opportunities for improving
communications and business practice efficiencies. Recommended and supervised
the implementation of process changes.
Provided strategic and tactical training to end-users, significantly impacting the
effective utilization of Northwestern Mutual’s home-office provided software in the
areas of Network Office Recruiting, Compliance Supervision, Operations, W ebsites,
and agency-building activity tracking. Users reported a 20% increase in skill levels
and operational improvements within the first eight months.
Fast Track Sales School Instructor.
Performed Network Office Intranet Administration functions to improve intra-office
communications and reference material support.
Facilitated change throughout various levels of management, business experience,
and technology expertise.
Increased integration of core business tools (PNA2.0 Personal Needs Analysis) from
20% to 40% during 2008, projected to increase the quantity and quality of sales for
new representatives.
FOREST AND ASSOCIATES
General Manager: Dallas TX 1989-2005
Formulated and executed new business plan for a multi-line sales organization covering Texas
and Oklahoma, representing from seven to twelve manufacturers of value-engineered hospitality
products (including commercial lighting, carpeting, granite counters and flooring).
100% commission-based income. Able to generate revenue, manage expenses, and
establish a profitable venture in less than eighteen months.
Increased specifications by more than 800% in the first two years; providing excellent
exposure and revenue increases for the companies we represented.

2. Linda L. Forest, cont.
Designed and created innovative website, producing nation-wide leads for our
manufacturers, at a time that many did not have their own websites. Benefit to them
was credibility, market exposure, and leads that reached even beyond our territory.
IBM CORPORATION: Memphis, St. Louis, and Dallas 1974-1988
Advisory Instructor/Executive Course Development and Implementation
Conducted client and customer executive management education to create competitive
advantage and establish how IBM’s solutions increased profits and reduced costs.
Achieved exceptional customer feed-back ratings on the quality of presentations and
my ability to communicate valuable, complex information in a non-technical manner,
resulting in increased sales to local representatives.
Selected as member of an elite sales consulting team, educating over 1400
executives, and increasing revenue to IBM account teams by $220 million in 1988.
Traveled extensively throughout the U.S.A., Asia, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand,
and South America to implement new technology in key accounts. Attained
reputation as an extraordinary cross-cultural communicator, including areas
unfamiliar with women in management, building strong customer relationships.
Staff Systems Engineer
Developed and delivered sales support programs in a five state region.
Influenced territory engineers and marketing representatives to sell advanced
telecommunications products, overcoming resistance to change and reluctance to
encourage clients to act.
Provided expert support to key accounts in competitive sales situations. Part of the
consultative sales team available to local branch offices.
Sales Representative
Small Computer Systems Sales. Consistently exceeded quota objectives in various territories.
Obtained six 100% Clubs for exceeding annual quota.
Awarded prestigious “Rookie of the Year” for surpassing sales and profit quotas in
my first year of sales.
Developed and delivered internal new and existing product presentations, at
management’s request, to boost the knowledge and proficiency of other sales
representatives and engineers.
EDUCATION & LICENSES
University of Texas at Arlington, Master of Arts in Organizational Design (coursework)
B.A., Wittenberg University, City State. Major: Speech/Theatre
IBM Presidents’ Class (by invitation, taught by IBM and Harvard Business School)
Berlitz School of Language, Conversational Spanish (coursework)
Series 6 and Series 63
Insurance License – State of Florida, NMIS Registered Representative
COMPUTER PROFICIENCIES (Able to Instruct Users)
Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point, Windows, Database Concepts, Quicken,
QuickBooks Pro, ACT, Publishing & Presentations Software, Project Management
Concepts, Web Design Concepts