PROUDLY PRESENTS

Donald.R.Smith
Resident of The United States and 3-DNET® VIP member
Email contact : donald.r.SMITH@exec.org

      

VIDEO INTRODUCTION®

  

 

INTERVIEW WITH 3-DNET®

Listen to sample sound "bites" from the interview:  

Question 1 : Tell me about yourself

I grew up in the mid-western area of the US. My parents both worked and I am the youngest of three children. My formative years were spent attending school and participating in athletics. I was fortunate and earned an athletic scholarship to attend college. With the financial aid from the scholarship and money I earned working construction during the summer months and semester breaks, I was able to pay my way thru under graduate school. My under graduate degree is in Business Marketing from Kent State University, Kent, Ohio. I enjoyed my under graduate experience and felt it provided a solid foundation on which to build my professional career. I have continued working on my formal education and earned my M.B.A. and Ph.D degrees in Business Management from LaSalle University in Philadelphia, PA., while working full time. After graduating from Kent State University I joined the US Marines and was on duty for 2 ½ years, was honorable discharged and shortly there after married.

I have two grown children and a baby daughter 3 years old.

My professional work experience began with Thomasville Furniture Industries as a sales representative. Thomasville Furniture at that time was a division of Awavstrong World Industries. The company provided excellent training and started me in the right direction. Building on that initial experience and continuing to develop my sales and management skills has allowed me to achieve or exceed in each project I have undertaken. I enjoy working with others, managing and creating winning business development teams. I really do enjoy my work. Outside of work I enjoy participating in sports, spending time with my family and traveling.

Question:  "Tell me about yourself....?"  

Question 2 : What can you offer to your next employer ?

My record shows that I am successful in developing long tewav working relationships with individuals and organizations. My ability to negotiate with individuals, develop sound business proposals, present them in a convincing manner has allowed me to accomplish or exceed corporate goals.

My strength as a manager comes from developing a positive, creative, goal oriented game plan. Developing a goal directed program, utilizing the individual talents of all personnel to accomplish corporate goals creates a positive, detewavined management team.

My background includes over 20 years experience in business development, operation management and customer service. I am a solution oriented problem solver with a working knowledge of P/L accountability and strategic planning.

I believe they will find that I am a team builder that can motivate personnel, develop and maintain profitable programs.

Question:  "What can you offer....?"  

Question 3 : What are your strengths ?

As a well organized manager I am responsible for the day to day operations, budgeting, cost analysis, effective management and leadership of people and resources. I have first hand experience accessing the overall effectiveness of management principles and theories. My ability to think both creatively and analytically makes me a versatile problem solver. Working closely with all levels of personnel, I am able to develop, monitor and achieve budgetary objectives; create and implement strategic plans and foster strong partnerships with other departments, companies and clients.

I have earned my B.B.A., M.B.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Business and I’m NASD series 6 & 63 licensed, MIRC lean manufacturing management certified, AMS Professional Management certified and MBA professionals’ member.

Question:  "What are your strengths?"  

Question 4 : What are your accomplishments ?

Experienced in marketing management and operations management with a record of consistent accomplishments in developing and maintaining profitable companies.

Selected Achievements:
* Increased total sales from 121M to 178M in 5 years
* Spearheaded development of international sales and orchestrated start-up of new division in Nassau Bahamas that produced first year revenue in excess of 500,000.
* Directed the profitable launch of new product line that within two years was 68% of total sales.
* Reversed six year sales decline through re-merchandising of product line and expanding distribution channels.
* Record high 32% gross profit achieved by increasing delivery performance and reducing employee turnover.
* 57% decrease in client response time attained by increasing efficiency of preparing quotes for customers.
* 35% reduction in staff achieved while increasing production by introducing leading edge technology.
* Developed successful area manager and field representative performance evaluation report that more accurately depicted their accomplishments.
* Devised key account strategy form and quarterly review program to monitor progress against target goals.
* Developed newspaper tabloid ad program for major retailer clients and distributors to enhance product distribution.
* Revised inventory management program to more accurately reflect marketing and sales demands.

Question:  "What are your accomplishments?"  

Question 5 : What are your limitations ?

I’m a consistent, careful, hands-on manager who follows the corporate game plan and endeavors to expedite tasks and accomplish goals. I am goal oriented and can become very focused. At times I can become abrupt with an individual who is not performing to their ability. Keeping my eye on the overall objective I must watch not to develop tunnel vision and steam roll over those not as detewavined.

Question:  "What are your limitations ?"  

Question 6 : How much are you worth ?

Everything is relative. It really depends on the position. The responsibility and the authority that go with the position, the company’s current situation and potential growth.

Generally speaking, having overall responsibility for company growth and profitability should generate an income of between 4 and 5 per cent of net sales.

Question:  "How much are you worth ?"  

Question 7 : What are your ambitions for the future ?

My objective is to work with a company that has reached a certain point in their evolution where they need the direction of an experienced bottom line executive to lead them to the next level. A growth oriented company that may at present have stagnated and revenue remains constant or is declining. My background and experience indicate that I can develop and maintain profitable companies.

Question:  "What are your ambitions for the future ?"  

Question 8 : How long would it take you start contributing to the fiwav? 

I usually try to hit the ground running, so I would like to think that I would be contributing from day one. The actual amount of immediate contribution would depend on the current condition of the company. If it is a well established fiwav that needs infusion of new blood and/or direction to move onto the next level, then the initial contribution would be more gradual in nature. If on the other hand the company is financially struggling and in basic need of a management overhaul then the initial contribution would be dramatic.

Question:  "How long would it take ... ?"  

Question 9: What is your management style?

I am a hands-on manager with a record as a team builder. I am a straight shooter, I like to be upfront and honest with staff and I expect the same from them. Using the team concept I encourage and lead by example to develop and achieve corporate objectives. My ability to listen and communicate has enabled me to effectively create and implement strategic plans, foster strong partnerships and build profitable companies.

Question:  "What is your management style .... ?"  

Question 10: Why do you think you have a good potential to be a manager?

Over 20 years experience in building and leading high caliber, cross functional management teams focused on delivering quality, value based products or service. My strength as a manager comes from developing a positive, creative, goal oriented program that utilizes the individual talents of all personnel. I have a passion for business, I’m results oriented and I listen.

Question:  "Why do you think you..... ?"  

Question 11: What would you look for in hiring people?

Good employees are a company’s greatest asset! I look for a good team player that has initiative, is responsible, creative and honest. An individual with a high level of sensitivity to the product, to the customer and willing to work hard to meet the demands of their position.

Question:  "What would you look for hiring .... ?"  

Question 12: As a manager, have you ever had to fire someone?

Yes, as a general manager my responsibility is to oversee the allocation of resources and personnel. This includes the rationalization of product offering, manufacturing capabilities and assessment of all personnel. There have been times when change for whatever reason was needed and this called for the demotion or dismissal of certain individuals. If a change is needed I believe it is in the best interest of the company and the individual to act prudently but quickly.

Question:  "As a manager, have you ever..... ?"  

Question 13: What do you see as the most difficult task of being a manager?

Probably the most difficult task for a manager is to keep everyone focused on the task at hand. Developing a clear and sound action plan is essential. Keeping everyone on target is the difference between being successful or not achieving your goals.

Question:  "What do you see as...... ?"  

Question 14: Describe what you feel is the best work environment?

An environment that is dynamic, open to innovation and creativity. To be able to present your ideas and feel an integral part of a successful company. Success in business is based more on mental attitude than mental capabilities.

Question:  "Describe what you feel..... ?"  

Question 15: Looking back how do you describe your past employer?

Brittany Group, USBP, Inc. is a holding company. It buys and sells companies based on availability, profitability and marketability. Basically it allows each of its companies to manage themselves. Quarterly reviews of plant operations, sales, gross margins and profits are mandatory. Each general manager is responsible for their company and it’s performance. Brittany Group, USBP, Inc. is an excellent employer and rewards performance. My experience with USBP has allowed me to use my management skills to turn around companies that were not performing up to their potential. It has it’s challenges, but certainly a job that I enjoy. people. .

Question:  "Looking back how do you ..... ?"  

Question 16: What have you done to increase productivity, performance, efficiency, etc..?

Established consistent cost/pricing program for department managers. Implemented new production flow procedures – decreased labor hours. Increased quality of customer service performance; decreased employee turnover. Coordinated planning, implementation of product development and product support. Reorganized inner office procedures to meet customer demands and stricter accounting requirements. Stabilized shipping and production work force – reduced inventory by 28%. 57% decrease in client response time attained by increasing efficiency of preparing quotes for customers.

Question:  "What have you done to .... ?"  

Question 17: Whether you are a "computer wizard", how do you respond to the financial side of your responsibilities?

I am a multi-faceted executive with hands-on experience in P/L accountability, strategic planning and operations management. As Asset Manager I am responsible for managing the budgetary process, review of organizational structure, oversee the allocation of financial resources and provide the leadership to keep budgets within the corporate goals.

Question:  "Whether you are a "computer wizard".... ?"  

Question 18: How many people have you supervised in your recent job?

I currently manage 27 directors and operations managers. I have managed as many as 178 personnel. .

Question:  "How many people have you .... ?"  

Question 19: What do you like more, working with figures or words?

My first reaction to this question – they are virtually impossible to separate. But, there are times when I review figures only and don’t commit the findings to words. As a manager of both people and resources, reviewing figures is a daily occurrence. Conveying verbally or in written form the importance of those figures and how they relate to the overall objective of the company is important. There are many occasions where the right words can motivate personnel to produce the right figures.

Question:  "What do you like more ..... ?"  

Question 20: How do you think that your subordinates receive you?

I believe most of my work associates view me as hard working, honest, focused and easy to communicate with. My position allows me to communicate with all levels of personnel. My ability to listen and communicate effectively has served me well in facilitating change, initiating action and building rapport.

Question:  "How do you think .... ?"  

Question 21: What do you think of your previous boss?

I report directly to the CEO of USBP, Inc. We have an excellent business relationship. I have learned a great deal from working with this man and admire him greatly. While we have always agreed on what direction the company should move; we have not always agreed on which path to travel to get us there. But I have always had the opportunity to present my case and received a just decision – even if it was not the answer I wanted.

Question:  "What do you think .... ?"  

Question 22: Describe a situation in which your work was criticized?

I really don’t remember a specific situation where my work was criticized. There have been occasions where the results of a specific project or quarter were not on target and I was asked to explain why. But this comes with the territory of being a manager.

Question:  "Describe a situation .... ?"  

Question 23: If I spoke with your boss what he would say about your greatest strength and weaknesses?

I believe my boss would say that I have good business acumen. That I am a hard worker able to get things done, honest and dedicated employee. As far as a weakness, probably that I am very focused [hard headed] and impatient with others not pulling their weight.

Question:  "If I spoke with your boss.... ?"  

Question 24: How can you handle life under pressure and with tough deadlines?

Years of experience in meeting goals, making sales quotas, gross profit margins, marketing and advertising deadlines. It’s kind of an “Occupational Hazard” that comes with the job. Actually, truth be known, I look forward to the challenge.

Question:  "How can you handle .... ?"  

Question 25: What do you think you do better: staff work or line work?

Definitely staff work. But again I am a hands-on executive with a passion for implementation. I do feel it is necessary to roll up my sleeves and get involved; to get a true feel for what is happening. At times this involves line work.

Question:  "What do you think.... ?"  

Question 26: In your current position, what problem have you identified that was previously overlooked?

When I first joined Brittany Group, USBP, Inc. as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Union City Chair Company, this division had lost money for the previous six years. I initially concentrated on increasing sales and improving distribution. Succeeding in these two areas did not produce the gross profit margins that I had anticipated. After carefully reviewing the manufacturing costing system, I realized there was a major problem in detewavining our actual cost using the current system. Presenting my concerns to the Group controller for USBP, Inc. and eventually to the Board of Directors, I was given the go ahead to establish a consistent and actual costing system that would provide an accurate cost per unit. Establishing an accurate costing system allowed Union City Chair Company to develop a price list that was reflective of the actual cost. We were able to turn around six years of losses and realize an 18% gross margin the next fiscal year.

Question:  "In your current position .... ?"  

Question 27: If you had a choice of job and a company what would you choose?

I am looking for a medium sized company or division of a large company that has reached a certain point where they are no longer growing and need the direction and experience of a bottom line executive to lead them to the next higher level. A company that has growth potential but is stagnated and needs good leadership.

Question:  "If you had a choice of job.... ?"  

Question 28:Do you have any objection to take a psychological test?

I have in the past taken psychological tests as part of the hiring procedure. I really don’t have a problem with this request. At this stage in my career, with my experience and background, I’m not sure I see the relevance of such a test.

Question:  "Do you have any objection.... ?"  

Question 29: Do you consider yourself as a creative person?

Definitely, the business world is constantly changing, new channels of distribution are created and old ones dry up. The dynamics of our economy are pushing up or down and all products have life cycles. In order to survive as a company and as an individual, creativity is essential.

Question:  "Do you consider yourself.... ?"  

Question 30: How do you describe your personality?

Definitely type A. I like the challenges and the rewards that go with meeting those challenges.

Question:  "How do you describe.... ?"  

Question 31: What is your outside reading you do?

I read trade journals weekly. I enjoy reading best selling mystery and adventure novels.

Question:  "What is your outside.... ?"  

Question 32: What are some of your outside activities?

Because my work schedule requires a great deal of time indoors I enjoy anything outside when possible. I especially enjoy sports that require a lot of physical activity: jogging, tennis, racquetball, basketball – anything that makes me sweat a lot.

Question:  "What are some of.... ?"  

Question 33: Are you continuing your education?

I believe it is very important to keep current on new ideas, technologies and procedures. I have over the years made a concerted effort to continue my education. I have earned my M.B.A. and PhD degrees; I am N.A.S.D series 6 and 63 licensed. I am a member of the American Management Association, an associate member of the American Hotel and Motel Association, MBA association member and on three corporate boards of directors.

Question:  "Are you continuing your.... ?"  

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