BruceBix49@gmail.com Business - Learn how to demystify LinkedIn® & leverage it for your business Job seekers - learn how to optimize your LinkedIn® profile BD & Sales - learn how to enable all of its features to find leads/sales ►YOU DON'T NEED SOMEONE WHO KNOWS EVERYTHING YOU KNOW; YOU NEED SOMEONE WHO KNOWS WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW◄ Great people should have great stories. How do you tell yours? Do you know how to attract prospective customers/recruiters? Would you/your company like to generate more leads & have a great LinkedIn® profile? I help people struggling with LinkedIn® to SOLVE their profiles. As a multi-linguist of digital media platforms, I speak LinkedIn®, Twitter, Google, & YouTube fluently. Do you need an expert perspective – someone who can educate or coach you/your team about LinkedIn profiles & lead generation in today’s marketplace, or to reach your target audiences & to create captivating, memorable profiles? Your LinkedIn® profile is not an online resume, it's your digital reputation. Together, we will collaborate to find out how you/your business are different & unique, then help you develop an outstanding profile & be that person or company on LinkedIn® Currently helping my connections focus on their company, their profiles, & being successful job seekers. Learn how to use basic (free) Linkedin® account. MOTIVATED/READY TO TALK Connect with me at BruceBix49@gmail.com if you desire a better LinkedIn® presence. OR ►Schedule me for an engagement about LinkedIn® for your company, business, conference, or your job search organization◄ Retail Buyer - How can I help you with retail? I'll combine my retail background, social media expertise, & eCommerce into one unique role towards your success. Connect with me if.... You need a buyer with extensive retail vendor experience & able to deliver success with business through building relationships, & collaborating w/cross-functional internal/external teams.

CEO | Director of Social Selling | Master Practitioner & LinkedIn® Specialist @ I started my business to help entrepreneurs, & small to midsize businesses be MARKET DIFFERENTIATORS with their LinkedIn® Company pages & profiles. We cross departmental lines to work with Human Resources, Marketing, Sales, and Operations to facilitate company-wide collaboration. Business owners are shown how to use Social Selling to improve their digital presence, to generate leads, increase ROI, to effectively market, attract, & connect with new clients to grow their businesses. I'm not your average LinkedIn expert (GP), I've distinguished myself as a LinkedIn® Specialist by helping owners, CEO's, CXO's, Directors, VP's, & executives at all levels to develop professional LinkedIn® & Social Media profiles. Connect with me to learn about social selling at bruce@hobknobery.com Do you need someone with a professional public presence, social selling expertise, experienced in commanding large audiences as a trainer and/or speaker for in-person settings? I have 5 years direct work experience in a training capacity, including external training as well as internal curriculum development & execution. Do you require a consultative approach to training? I have a demonstrated experience in successfully gaining an understanding of core customer needs, tailoring training to those needs, & assessing progress. You may not be able to buy love but you can buy experience. Call me now for a chat on 224-221-9700, perhaps my experience and more importantly my LinkedIn expertise can make a difference to your business You are taught the correct way to use digital & social media for SOCIAL SELLING with a strategy that ensures results for yourself & your company. If you know you need to be selling on LinkedIn but are not sure how, let's talk. I am confident our conversation will be full of insights and strategies to help you leverage LinkedIn more effectively. Specialties: Social Selling, LinkedIn classes From January 2011 to Present (4 years 10 months) Greater Chicago AreaExecutive LinkedIn® Master Profile Writer (Digital Architect) ✍ @ As an executive LinkedIn Master profile writer I have developed a proven blueprint to increase your profile views. I love helping people tell their story while building a Unique Value Position & specialize in structuring your online professional profile to effectively chronicle your career, achievements and key skills. Professionals & Executives learn how to take control of your digital presence & present yourself in a way that, not only inspires, but impresses & builds confidence in you, your products & services. Connect with me at bruce@hobknobery.com if you desire a professionally written LinkedIn® profile. You need someone who knows what you don't know! Learn how to use this business networking & marketing tool. No, it is not a place for your on-line resume it is your digital reputation. Your goal is to turn a static online profile into a dynamic virtual relationship. I know, I’ve helped hundreds of connections on how to enhance their profile to make it work for them. Let me help you. A well-built strategic LinkedIn® profile makes a difference. Showing you, not just how to get on LinkedIn, not just how to optimize your profile, but actually showing you how to manipulate and use all the features. . The executive clients I coach have been found more readily by customers or landed their ideal jobs because their profiles are strategic, keyword focused, and SEO friendly. Many of my clients are referrals as a direct result of satisfied profile reviews. Your headline is THE most important portion of your LinkedIn® profile for keyword search. I walk users through the LinkedIn® profile, outline all that can be done with the LinkedIn® platform, & map out a way forward so that you can achieve the customized solutions you need to solve your business problems. The coaching is hands on & focused on your goals. We make sure your profile demonstrates your value. Your profile is personally done by me, not outsourced to someone else, & it is not built from a template. From November 2014 to Present (1 year) Greater Chicago AreaSocial Media Speaker | Keynote Speaker | LinkedIn® Speaker ✰ @ If you need someone for speaking engagements including conferences, corporate or executive retreats, internal workshops, and more. I'm a leader in the LinkedIn professional services marketing education space, and an internationally recognized LinkedIn specialist. I enjoy working working with senior executives at the intersection of business strategy and information technology. I can present on topics like: • How to Create a High Impact, High Value LinkedIn Company page • How to Create a LinkedIn Profile for inbound marketing. • How to fully use LinkedIn’s advanced features • Marketing your LinkedIn profile • How use groups and companies for search • How to Use Social Selling for business Are you looking for a Keynote Speaker [Social Media Speaker, LinkedIn Speaker, Social Selling Speaker] that will educate & inspire your delegates on social media, social selling or influence marketing? I offer engaging & custom presentations to fit your audience! ►If you're interested in Social Media Marketing, Social Selling Training, LinkedIn Campaigns that produce massive results or having me speak at your event, email me at bruce@hobknobery.com From November 2014 to Present (1 year) Greater Chicago AreaSocial Media Manager | Social Media Community Manager | LinkedIn® Consultant/Strategist @ Transforming the way companies do business through content marketing & social selling. As a social media marketer, I manage online communities for small to midsize businesses. We show you how to navigate through the digital world & achieve measurable marketing strategies that amplify your company’s voice. If you need a social media manager connect with me at bruce@hobknobery.com I have been fortunate to manage various accounts and also fast-growing companies spanning the Technology, Training, Industrial, and Consumer Products industries. Strategic plans include social media marketing strategy, content marketing strategy as well as becoming your social media marketing coach & consultant. We will collaborate to align your company's core objectives with your individual digital marketing strategy so the unique goals defined by your company are achieved. Your business will build quality followings on their specific social networks (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and more) that they can engage with on a daily basis by sharing valuable industry related information. . ✹ I consult with senior executive clients (CEO's CFO's, CMO's, Directors, VP's) about how to improve their LinkedIn® profiles and social media platforms to drive traffic to their page, build relationships, & research companies, leveraging power of social media to find new customers and clients. ✹ Manage, interact with, and respond to social media audiences. ✹ Collaborate with internal & external partners to establish social media plans & achievable goals. ✹ Develop a social media calendar that delivers consumer engagement and marketing communications objectives and strategies including support priority marketing initiatives. ✹ Lead content development, monitor web, social media, and broadcast for promotable content for all platforms. ✹ Review social media analytics daily, weekly, and monthly to optimize platform growth. ✹ Work with internal & external partners to create engaging SEM and SEO copy. From January 2011 to Present (4 years 10 months) Greater Chicago AreaArea Product Services Retail @ Area Product Services for Retail store projects for 12 Northern Illinois area Lowe's stores for both resets and major projects & new product introductions. Coordinate with stores for new and existing products in all departments. From March 2011 to Present (4 years 8 months) Arlington Heights, ILCOO, Retail Owner, & Retail Buyer @ Internet Retail Sales - On-line retail selling. Retail Owner, COO, & Buyer of retail products, manager of sales. Effectively merchandise products, services and online campaigns on the website by helping translate Product Management and Customer Segmentation strategies into appropriate tactics that improve the online shopping experience and product category performance. ✹ Plan, execute, and optimize online merchandising campaigns by leveraging onsite merchandising zones (i.e. home page, banner ads, landing pages, etc.). ✹ Works cross-functionally with business owners to develop online merchandising solutions: Creates consistent multi-channel campaigns ✹ Ability to distill complex language into easy-to-understand, grammatically correct language in an active voice and to quickly synthesize information from a variety of sources (internal and external) into one effective output. ✹ Write (with little or no supervision) and articulate persuasive documents that compel the reader to think or act differently From April 2009 to December 2011 (2 years 9 months) IllinoisRetail Training Program Outside Garden Live Nursery @ Retail Training Lowe's Inside Lawn & Garden Retail Training Lowe's Season Sales Retail Training Lowe's Outdoor Power Equipment From April 2009 to February 2011 (1 year 11 months) Linked "In Transition" Social Media Instructor, Coach & Advisor @ Social Media Advisor, instructor, and coach helping others "In transition" to improve and enhance their Social Media and LinkedIn Profiles. Mentor, teach, and educate job seekers on the networking power of LinkedIn, Twitter, and other Social media. From June 2009 to December 2010 (1 year 7 months) Divisional Installed Sales Asst, Retail Stores @ Audited Service Providers costs, established that Product vendors were overcharging for materials, brought costs back to signed negotiated amounts saving the Home Depot more than $500,000 over the course of a year. Functioned as point of contact between two regional Service Directors (12 states) and District Service Managers, Stores Managers, & Stores. ✹ Intermediate level skill in Microsoft Excel (for example pivot tables) ✹ Implemented procurement strategies, from initial identification of procurement needs through delivery, for indirect goods and services. ✹ Assisted with execution of short-term and long-term strategies that align with the Company goals for reducing costs and company financial goals. ✹ Responsible for less complex negotiating, coordinating, and assuring that assigned indirect spend categories and services are purchased at the lowest possible cost. ✹ Assessed near-term and long term plans to establish supplier priorities balanced with business needs. ✹ Consulted with Management, and other subject experts to develop alternative solutions; advises on options, risks, total cost of ownership, and business impacts. ✹ Deliver savings to categories through sourcing initiatives, negotiations, alternative sourcing options. ✹ Meet Service Level Agreements set by company ✹ Drive contract and vendor compliance to the new and existing Enterprise agreements ✹ Strong Microsoft Office capabilities: Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint, advanced level skill in Microsoft PowerPoint, and pivot tables in Excel From 2004 to 2009 (5 years) Divisional Retail Buyer (Merchant) Assistant @ As a retail buyer assistant developed and executed resets, identified needs & changes to products and displays in assigned categories; coordinated and directed multi-functional teams - service groups & manufactures reps, and people - Import Buyer & Global Merchant that generated a 20% increase in sales for over 250 stores. Successfully opened over 150 new stores on time and under budget. ✹ Managed day-to-day on-going category supplier relations, and seeks out growth or revision opportunities. ✹ Coordinated & implemented all store directed visual presentation changes and communicates changes to Field Leadership and stores. . ✹ Under the direction of Buyer, developed and executed category sourcing strategies, including development and execution of RFI’s and RFP’s, documents bid events through correspondence to suppliers; develops selection criteria; Conducted supplier negotiations and ongoing supplier management. ✹ Assisted with development and implementation of business plans, performance goals and metrics for each assigned category. ✹ Collaborated with Operations and others as needed on cross-functional sourcing opportunities. ✹ Developed inventory control, including lifecycle of product, and assists in project management of all sourcing activities. ✹ Ensure the assortments & presentations are productive, accurate & visually supported with signs and fixtures. In concert with the buyers, developed and coordinated sign & fixture programs to support merchandise initiatives. ✹ Performed data analysis & modeling. Participated in weekly category review meetings with teams to manage category performance, Developed and coordinated sign & fixture programs to support merchandise initiatives. Communicates changes to the field, monitors execution. ✹ Participated in strategic meetings with suppliers & business leaders to ensure execution of defined strategies. Identified nonproductive inventory & margin opportunities to maximize store performance From 2000 to 2004 (4 years) Allstate Insurance Program Assistant Retail @ Maintained vendor and customer database for Insurance purchases of carpet by Allstate claimants and The Home Depot stores for the Midwest Division. Expedited carpet purchases on claims presented to The Home Depot by Allstate Insurance Co. insurance claims adjusters to provide exceptional customer service to the Home Depot customer. ✹ Aligned for an assigned group of vendors, meet/exceed customer satisfaction and targeted objectives ✹ Confirmed daily orders and conferred frequently via email, phone, and fax, to obtain status of orders, and follow through. ✹ Managed receipt variance process, initiate continual improvement through tracking and addressing concerns ✹ Reviewed daily reporting, troubleshoot and initiate opportunities for improvement. Participate on conference calls with vendors as needed ✹ Proficiency in Microsoft Office: Word, Outlook/Email, Excel (intermediate level-pivot tables) Knowledge of Access, V-lookup, and other data bases ✹ Excellent communication skills (Verbal, Written, Grammar) ✹ Strong analytical, organizational and mathematical capabilities with attention to detail and proven skills in problem solving/decision making. ✹ Ability to set priorities that meet ever changing needs of the business; can multi task in a fast paced, challenging environment ✹ Experienced within a multi-location, distribution center or warehouse environment ✹ Advanced interpersonal skills, ability to interface with all levels of management. Performed day to day with a sense of urgency and motivation towards continual improvement From August 1999 to August 2000 (1 year 1 month) Department Sales Manager @ Started career with Home Depot as sales associate, after 6 months promoted to department PRO, then promoted again after 6 months to Department Manager. Trained, developed, and mentored store associates into a cohesive team. Successfully increased sales from $3,800,000 to nearly $6,000,000 in two years. From August 1997 to August 1999 (2 years 1 month) COO & Retail Buyer @ COO, Manager, and Retail buyer for Bixler & Johnson gift Stores. ✹ Executed sales, margin and inventory plans, monitored performance versus plan to identify trend opportunities ✹ Managed all aspects of the merchandise offering – selection, negotiation, promotion and disposition ✹ Developed customer driven assortments that support the goals and key item focus ✹ Ensured the merchandise selection matches customer needs, customer orientation and satisfaction ✹ Developed line strategies, prepared for and presented products at Assortment Reviews ✹ Attended relevant trade shows, markets and events to observe market trends, gather product information, selects merchandise and establish business relationships with viable vendors ✹ Visited stores to evaluate merchandise mix, observes competition, weighs individual store needs and translate findings into executable product plans ✹ Established collaborative relationships with placement to ensure availability and the timely delivery of merchandise ✹ Developed and maintains relationships with vendors. Interacts with the vendor community ✹ Managed vendor performance to maximize profitability and achieve financial objectives ✹ Selected products to maximize return of advertising expenses. ✹ Ensures promotional execution accuracy (pricing, signage, etc.) From 1988 to 1998 (10 years) Glen Ellyn, IL.Store Manager (Managing Director) @ Managing Director (Store Manager) for Carson Pirie Scott two Home Stores. Comprehensive managing of sales, personnel, advertising, display, deliveries, HR, and P&L. Successfully guided stores from deficit sales to profitable business units. ✹Experience establishing and maintaining relationships with individuals at all levels of the organization, in the business community and with vendors. ✹ Experience analyzing and reporting data in order to identify issues, trends, or exceptions to drive improvement of results and find solutions. ✹ Experience identifying operational issues and recommending and implementing strategies to resolve problems. ✹ Experience managing and leading cross-functional teams, including interacting at the executive level ✹ Experience planning, developing, and managing departmental expense and capital budgets. ✹ Experience directly managing people, including hiring, developing, motivating, and directing people as they work From April 1985 to July 1986 (1 year 4 months) Buyer @ Retail Buyer (Merchant) for Carson Pirie Scott flooring department all stores. Purchased and facilitated delivery of domestic and imported area rugs. Sourced and selected 2 imported skus that generated over $250,000 in sales for the chain over the period of one year. ✹ Executed sales, margin and inventory plans ✹ Monitored performance versus plan to identify trend opportunities ✹ Managed all aspects of the merchandise offering – selection, negotiation, promotion and disposition ✹ Developed customer driven assortments that support departmental goals and key item focus ✹ Provided collaborative guidance, direction and support ✹ Ensured the merchandise selection matches customer needs, customer orientation & satisfaction ✹ Confirmed merchandise mix balances quantity, style, size and price consistent with company & individual market requirements ✹ Prepared for and presents products at Assortment Reviews/ Business Reviews ✹ Attended relevant trade shows, markets and events to observe market trends, gather product information, selects merchandise and establish business relationships with viable vendors ✹ Visited stores to evaluate merchandise mix, observes competition, weighs individual store needs and translate findings into executable product plans ✹ Established collaborative relationships with placement to ensure availability and the timely delivery of merchandise ✹ Developed & maintained relationships with vendors. Interacts with the vendor community within Sears’ standards and codes of ethics ✹ Managed vendor performance to maximize profitability and achieve financial objectives ✹ Selected products to maximize return of advertising expenses. Partners with marketing team to reconcile marketing plans and promotional calendar. Monitors and maintains promotional performance ✹ Drove compliance and standards with processes, policies, tools, and associates within the group ✹ Ensured promotional execution accuracy (pricing, signage, etc.) From 1983 to 1985 (2 years) Greater Chicago Area

Marketing, With Distinction @ University of Pennsylvania - The Wharton School From 2014 to 2015 Green Belt, Six Sigma Green Belt Training @ Six Sigma Green Belt Training From 2009 to 2010 Lean Six Sigma White Belt Certified @ Lean Six Sigma White Belt Certified From 2009 to 2009 Social media workshop Instructor @ Harper College From 2010 to 2013 Business Administration and Management, General @ Northern Illinois UniversityAssociate of Science (AS), Liberal Arts @ Illinois Valley Community CollegeGraduated, General studies @ Waukegan Township High School BRUCE Bixler is skilled in: LinkedIn, LinkedIn Training, social selling, Linkedin Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Social Media, Marketing Strategy, Digital Marketing, YouTube, Internet of Things, Digital Engagement, Social Entrepreneurship, B2B Marketing, Social Media ROI, Business Advisory, Video Marketing, Twitter, Digital Strategy, Data Mining, Social Media Consulting, Information Retrieval, Inbound Lead Generation, Executive Coaching, Business Development, Networking Strategies, Social Media Best..., Retail Category..., Delivering Workshops, Social Media Measurement, Business Intelligence, New Business Development, Multi-media Marketing..., Public Speaking, Social Media Coach, Blogging, Social Networking Sites, Motivational Speaking, Social Media Education, E-commerce Consulting, Cross-functional Team..., Online Reputation..., E-commerce, Social Media Strategist, Social Networking, Multi-unit Retail..., Microsoft Office, Cloud Computing, Training, Sales Process