James (Jim) Rantanen

Location
marquette, MI (US)
Work Category
Business Development

About Me

My career has been quite diverse: from territory sales for a regional dairy to medical service sales/marketing/personnel management for an upstart on-site medical diagnostics provider to personal sales/sales management for an insurance company to business development/management for marketing agencies. All have provided a level of accomplishment for me, as well as personal growth and enjoyment.

I am currently looking for a career vehicle to apply this accrued skill set in my favorite place on the planet, Marquette, MI.

My degree in Speech Communications provided me the foundation to deal with the process of working with people, allowing me to sell/market intangibles, services, and consumer goods, providing solutions for a wide range of clients. Within this framework, I have developed teams to ensure that follow through has been complete, needs met, and satifaction achieved. It is a process that I have sincerely found enjoyable.

I am NOT one to merely settle for a job done, I strive for a job WELL done, something that I'm proud to put my name to. That is important to me -- getting the job done RIGHT. If an employer is interested in that sort of drive, that sort of mind-set, then I'm the person to come to.

I'll see to it that we'll set goals and standards for tangible, sustainable growth. I believe that with the correct approach, sustainable growth is not only achievable, but inevitable, as needs will be met and a relationship forged to grow upon.

I consider myself an astute individual, well-read, intellegent, able and willing to grow and learn to expand my horizons. My experience and background would be an asset to any serious company looking to excel.

I enjoy the outdoors and the simpler things in life. The scent of freshly bloomed lilacs. The soothing sound of a babbling creek. The excitement of coming across a bear or moose while stream fishing. The calmness of a walk during a gentle snowfall. Taking time to enjoy a good book. The joy of cooking. Keeping in touch with friends, old and new. All of which I take the time to do, and it centers me.

Work Experience

  • Jun 2005 - present
    appleton, WI (US)
    Business Development/Marketing Coordinator
    Treehouse Concepts (a marketing agency)
    Essential duties:
    Business development, prospecting, developed sales approach/sales collateral, cold calling, sales presentations (B2B), project management, personnel management, customer relations, marketing concepts, marketing strategy, ideation, project implementation and follow through.
  • Mar 2004 - Jun 2005
    neenah, WI (US)
    Business Development/Market Development
    EPOGE Marketing, Inc.
    Essential duties:
    Business development, prospecting, cold calling, sales presentations (B2B), sales management, customer relations, developed marketing approach/sales collateral, marketing strategy, and personnel management.
  • Jun 2001 - Jun 2002
    petoskey, MI (US)
    Store Manager
    Mackinac Mattress
    Essential duties:
    Sales presentations (B2C), store operations, personnel management, inventory management, showroom development/display.
  • Feb 1995 - Jun 2001
    marquette, MI (US)
    Sales Representative/District Sales Coordinator
    Aflac
    Essential duties:
    Business development, sales presentations (B2B/B2C), prospecting, cold calling, customer service, sales management, personnel management, employee recruiting, project management. Won awards for Top Sales in Michigan.
  • Feb 1993 - Feb 1995
    marquette, MI (US)
    Business Development/Sales Management
    Superior Mobile Inc.
    Essential duties:
    Prospecting, cold calling, sales presentations (B2B), project management, personnel management, credit management, developed sales approach/sales collateral and implementation, trade shows.
  • Feb 1985 - Feb 1993
    marquette, MI (US)
    Territory Field Sales Representative
    Marigold Foods Inc.
    Essential duties:
    Territory management, new product launches, customer service, credit management, retail space management, inventory management, competition management, store resets, POP/marketing collateral, set up promotion schedules (B2B), set up promotional opportunities (B2C), participated in client events, trade shows, and troubleshooting.

Education

  • 1979 - 1983
    Bachelor's - Speech Communication
    Northern Michigan University
    I also minored in the area of Business and Marketing.