I'm the author of a book that earned the #1 spot on the Inc.com Business Book Wish List for 2010, and have also contributed in a biz dev capacity when I raised the profile of a startup "built green" real estate developer to the national level through direct outreach and social media, brought a professional services startup (PayScale) their largest deal ever and turned on such a fire hose of partnership opps for a digital products startup that the CEO asked me to slow it down. I was also instrumental in building and leading the teams that launched 2 landmark biz intel products during IRI's startup phase, and then while at an entertainment media research firm (SMR), both in Chicago. During my first sales role ever (TriNet), I became salesperson of the month by my 3rd month thanks to my relationship management, closing and channel building skills. Today, as a part-time speaker, keynoter and LinkedIn trainer I use my mad skills to teach others how to make their connections matter.