Sam Watkins Email Address

Assistant Vice President of Sales Strategic Accounts

Renaissance learning, Inc. (Renaissance) is a provider of cloud based assessment, teaching, and learning solutions. It provides computer based assessment technology for kindergarten to standard twelve students. The companys products include Assess, Teach and Learn. Its tools provide daily formative assessment and periodic progress-monitoring technology to improve the core curriculum, support differentiated instruction, and personalize practice in writing, reading and math. Renaissance learning tools are created and developed by researchers, educators, content area experts, technologists, and data scientists. The company distributes products to its customers across the world. It has presence in Europe and North America through its offices and subsidiaries. Renaissance is headquartered in Wisconsin, the US.

Although each company is unique in its approach to provide value to its customers, the major themes of competitive threats, economic volatility, and unforeseen disruption are often common challenges for many industries, verticals, and companies seeking to achieve their growth targets. As a senior revenue leader who is passionate about people and organizations that are seeking to unlock value, I have been fortunate to spend the past 20+ years, successfully implementing revenue optimization and go-to-market initiatives across a diverse range of public and private equity backed SaaS and Cloud Based - Data & Technology companies, spanning regional and global markets and scaled across SMB, Mid-Market, and Enterprise sales organizations. My primary expertise is leading the diagnosis and design of specific GTM growth strategies and sales transformation initiatives, to maximize revenue and profitability, with the subsequent implementation of the strategy in roles from sales, enablement, and/or program leader, to ensure that the tenets of the plan are implemented with fidelity and effectiveness. By taking a disciplined approach that leverages proven frameworks, processes, standards, and governance, I am highly skilled in the following: • Optimization of Strategic Sales Growth Organizations - executive sales leader who uses a blend of data driven insights and high emotional intelligence to recruit, develop, motivate, and coach others to maximum output within complex sales environments. • Design and Implement Revenue Growth Strategies- creation and implementation of scalable growth strategies designed for account and customer success management teams, with experience in leading cross functional teams from marketing, business operations, finance, legal, government affairs, and strategic business development functions. • Operationalize Commercial Growth - implementation of GTM initiatives such as sales/revenue KPI definitions, territory optimization, integration of CRM and marketing automation tools, sales incentive/compensation planning, global leadership development programs, sales enablement/ effectiveness, and sales training & development for new hires and experienced sales professionals. • Enable world class revenue enablement programs – designed and optimized effective opportunity management processes, implemented behavioral assessment tools for talent acquisition and talent development, authored effective sales playbooks, and successful digital marketing campaign strategies.