Martin Stanton - Profile

Martin Stanton is a highly motivated, professional Company Director, having been a Director of UK, US and German companies for over 25 years. Specialising in "Customer-Facing" and Sales disciplines, he brings valuable experience and skills, both strategic and tactical, to any business seeking to improve sales, marketing and corporate business performance.

Martin's early years were spent as a scientist at the National Physical Laboratory, researching the practical applications of laser technology and, later, developing artificial intelligence computer systems. Perhaps, more interestingly, he was part of a government agency set up to research the growth in UFO sightings.

His sales background is founded on solid, traditional sales training at Honeywell Information Systems, where he sold mainframes into blue-chip financial organisations in the City of London. As Sales Manager with a team of some 16 sales people, he consistently exceeded targets by between 30% - 70%. In his later role as regional director, the Southern Region consistently outperformed the rest of the country.

Having then spent 2 years at PA Management Consultants as a Strategic Marketing Analyst, specialising in PC technology and Cellular telephone networks, he was headhunted to Feedback Data in 1983 as Sales and Marketing Director where he spent 8 years developing the business. Key achievements include the setting up of four European subsidiaries, the acquisition of Feedback's main competitor, and moving the business focus from end-user to reseller-based. Results matched the activity with a 60% increase in turnover in a 3-year period which included a major economic recession.

The next move was to Espera Scales Ltd in 1991, the UK subsidiary of a German food processing equipment manufacturer, where he was recruited as Managing Director, primarily for his sales and marketing skills, and knowledge of the German language and culture. During his nine years at Espera he grew the business by 700% with a margin improvement from 37% to 46%, and created a company that was recognised as the market leader in the field.

In 2000 Martin founded communications company, Business Dynamics, and became a management consultant with EMC Management Consultants, focusing on the Small to Medium Size corporate sector. He has completed a wide variety of sales improvement projects in a number of industry sectors, including food processing, security, software, internet, film and video, soft furnishings, office stationery, photographic and engineering, and he was appointed non-executive chairman of Alpha Office Ltd, in preparation for the sale of the business. Keys to his effectiveness are the ability to bring a fresh and independent view to companies, his skill in quickly identifying problem business areas, and his scrupulous focus on challenging the status quo. His hands-on sales skills allow him to get to the root of sales problems within client organisations, and to implement changes to remedy them.

Mike West, MD of computer infrastructure designer, Keysource, said "Martin's input in 2005/6 was critical in helping us to re-engineer the business, allowing us to grow from £3.6M to £5.2M within 18 months, with a forecast of £8M for 2007".

Since its inception Business Dynamics has also grown, offering such marketing "collateral" as literature, exhibition support, sales recruitment, sales training and occupational testing. Key to its strategic growth has been the development of a film production division, making cost-effective sales and training films for SMEs. Martin was appointed a director of EMC in 2004.

Today, the majority of Martin's time is spent either on business turnaround, grooming businesses for sale, and creating corporate strategy for clients. Of course, having been a successful Managing Director, he carries out these activities with a very close focus on shareholders needs and aspirations. His clients have ranged from start-ups to established businesses turning £50M+, including Lloyds TSB, RAC, and AXA PPP.

With fellow EMC Director, Desmond High, Martin is co-founder of The Academy, a membership organisation for owner-managers seeking a business exit within 3 years. The Academy, boasts the best availability of mentoring skills for its membership, of any similar organisation in the country. He is also part of SEEDA's new business intervention-manager scheme, for small businesses.

You can contact Martin on 07980 012382, or martin@bduk.co.uk, or martins@emcltd.co.uk

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