2010-01-11 19:56:17 -
IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 11, 2010 -- TechBiz Connection (www.techbizconnection.org) will present a panel of Orange County-based seasoned sales professionals who will discuss how companies can prepare for the new sales challenges now confronting them on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at the law offices of Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear in Irvine.
According to Jack Bicer, TechBiz Connection president, technology, globalization, and evolving concepts of brand loyalty are changing the way business sells. “Lowered market entry barriers are pervading global competitors in every technology sector while the internet is educating your customers and prospects to the differences in product features before they contact a vendor,” Bicer explained.
“The economy, reduced head count, and the cost of travel
are greatly restricting how we communicate and build relationships with our customers. Fortunately, we have organized an outstanding panel of seasoned sales professionals to discuss how you can prepare for the sales challenges of the new normal,” he added.
The panel moderator will be Don Hicks, director of business development for Quantum Leaders, where he provides strategic business development expertise to emerging technology companies. Hicks has been a part of the Orange County technology community since 1980 and until recently, he served as executive director of TechAmerica (formerly AeA) Orange County Council, the largest association representing technology in the country. Hicks serves on the board of directors for TechBiz Connection as well as the board of advisors for TriTech SBDC and Chapman University Department of Math and Computer Science.
Panelist Thumbnail Bios
• Bill Ernisse, healthcare general manager, Xerox, supports the needs of Broadlane, Ascension, Kindred, & Tenet Hospital. Ernisse is responsible for supporting the achievement of each client by delivering value-add Xerox services and solutions. He was named to this position August 2007. Ernisse joined Xerox in 1970 as a financial analyst and has held a number of key sales and management positions, including vice president of worldwide training, vice president of field operations for Xerox’s Western Region, vice president and general manager of Xerox of Los Angeles Customer Business Unit, and most recently, vice president of marketing for western operation since 1999, earning Xerox’s top achievement award, the President’s Award.
• Tom Fedro is president and CEO, Paragon Software Group, a global software company focused on backup and disaster recovery applications as well as a portfolio of system optimization tools for servers and workstations. He has over 20 years experience in building sales and marketing teams that specialize in penetrating new markets with complex, high value software solutions. Prior to PSGC, Fedro was EVP of sales, marketing and operations at FarStone Technology and before that he served as vice president of sales and marketing for the financial services technology firm, Micro General Corporation; at the time of its acquisition by Fidelity Financial, it was the fastest growing, public, technology company in Orange County. As a chief sales officer he has been through the IPO process and 6 acquisitions worth over $700M. Fedro earned his bachelor's degree in finance and marketing from the University of Denver.
• Will Crist, CEO, Sandler Training, is a sales force developer, trainer and coach. His company, Sandler Training, is a leader in innovative sales and sales management training. For over 40 years, Sandler has taught its distinctive, non-traditional selling system and highly effective sales training methodology, which has helped salespeople and sales managers take charge of the process. Crist has worked on sales projects with Fox Home Entertainment, Samsonite, Brooks-Rx, Sonnet Technologies, Nelson Engineering, Alphabio, Naviant (an Internet software company) to name a few. He specializes in helping companies build sales teams, improve sales management with real accountability and drive sales growth.
• Carl Diamond is the founder of Diamond Hazelton, a boutique consulting firm with the promise of delivering better conversion rates to e-commerce and lead generation websites. Diamond retired as a vice president of Smith Barney in San Jose, California. In 1998 he invested in an online motorcycle accessories business as a co-founder with a minority interest. It was here that he got the "religion" of conversion optimization, ultimately founding Diamond Hazelton to spread the word. He is a strategist, by nature, and deeply enjoys helping people reach their business goals.
The TBC Forum discussion and subsequent question-and-answer session is sponsored by Daly-Swartz Public Relations; Manatt, Phelps & Phillips; InteleNet (now Latisys); Septium Corp.; Smith Micro; BuzzGap; and Knobbe Martens, Olson & Bear.
Admission to the TechBiz Connection event is $30 prepaid and $40 at the door. For further information and RSVP, visit
www.techbizconnection.org or e-mail
president@techbizconnection.org.
TechBiz Connection was created to support Southern California business and technology professionals, companies and entrepreneurs by providing timely education and networking opportunities. The organization focuses on where technology and business intersect; everything a successful high-tech company would want to do.
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Contact:
Daly-Swartz PR for TechBiz Connection
Jeffrey Swartz, 949-470-0075
jeffreyswartz@dsprel.com 
