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Whit Allen
Global Sales Vice President - Global Intrapreneur
Professional Background
Whit Allen is an accomplished professional who brings over 30 years of experience to the high-tech industry, specializing in helping product innovators grow new business revenue on a global scale. With a rich career that has traversed both Fortune 500 companies and startup environments, Whit currently serves as the Vice President of Sales at Component Distributors, Inc. (CDI), where he focuses on the distribution of OEM components. His extensive background as a global sales leader and consultant has equipped him with the skills to navigate complex business landscapes and deliver results in both rapid growth and turnaround situations.
Whit has a passion for building dynamic sales teams, fostering coalition building, and developing new business strategies. He excels in motivating and retaining high-performance teams, ensuring they are aligned to achieve ambitious targets. With his ability to inspire collaboration across different sectors and regions, Whit has successfully driven global sales initiatives with geographically-dispersed teams.
Dynamic Sales Leadership
Throughout his career, Whit has made significant contributions to sales teams, often leading teams of up to 25 direct reports and a total of 60 sales professionals across various regions including the Americas, Asia, and Europe. His leadership approach is centered on empowering team members, recognizing their strengths, and nurturing a culture of high performance. This focus on teamwork and accountability has enabled Whit to drive sustained growth in organizations ranging in size from $35 million to $250 million in revenue.
Coalition Building
Whit possesses a unique talent for coalition building, adept at inspiring the necessary resources and partnerships to facilitate successful deals. He understands that closing sales is often a collaborative effort and works diligently to bring together the right stakeholders to enhance service delivery and customer satisfaction.
Information Synthesis and Value Proposition Development
In his role, Whit is responsible for synthesizing complex information to develop actionable business strategies for clients, enabling them to identify and pursue new market opportunities. His expertise extends to value proposition development, where he plays a critical role in introducing new products and penetrating unexplored markets. By understanding customer needs and industry trends, Whit effectively positions products to meet demand and enhance competitive advantage.
Whit’s experience spans various technologies, including power conversion, semiconductors, RF, renewables, sensors, batteries, and LEDs. His work encompasses applications in IoT, lighting, smart grids, energy efficiency, distributed generation, and energy storage. His clientele includes OEMs, telecom companies, utilities, government sectors, contract manufacturers, and military entities.
Education and Achievements
Whit Allen's educational background has significantly contributed to his professional journey. He earned a Master of International Management (MIM) with Distinction from the prestigious Thunderbird School of Global Management, which equipped him with crucial insights into international business dynamics and cross-cultural engagement. Prior to that, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) from Texas A&M University, laying a solid technical foundation that complements his sales expertise.
His commitment to ongoing professional development is evidenced by his varied roles within notable organizations, including:
- Vice President of Sales at Component Distributors, Inc. (CDI), where he has recently been instrumental in leading the sales efforts of OEM components.
- Former Chief Evangelist at SpectraGrow Inc., in which he took initiatives to promote and position growth within the high-tech segment.
- Board Member at Portuguese Creek Management LLC, where he provided strategic oversight and direction.
- General Manager of the LED Lighting Solutions Business Unit at CDI, overseeing a pivotal area of growth in innovative lighting solutions.
- Whit played a vital role as a Federal Cleantech Lobbyist and Project Proposal Lead at Whit Allen & Associates, Inc., showcasing his dedication to promoting sustainable technology sectors.
Whit’s robust career includes various leadership positions, such as:
- Vice President Sales, Business Development, and Marketing (Worldwide) at Sure Power Corporation
- Global Sales Vice President (Asia, Europe, Latin America) at Lucent Technologies Power Systems (Bell Labs)
- Managing Sales Director for Iberoamerica at Lucent Technologies Power Systems (Bell Labs)
- International Sales and Channel Manager (EMEA, CALA) at AT&T Network Systems Group (Bell Labs)
In addition to these roles, Whit also took a leave of absence from AT&T Network Systems Group (Bell Labs) for graduate studies, demonstrating his commitment to education and professional growth.
Achievements
Throughout his impressive career, Whit has continually been a driving force behind sales success and business transformation. His ability to adapt to various market conditions and lead teams effectively has led to substantial revenue increases for the companies he worked with. By executing multi-channel sales strategies that leverage direct sales, representatives, distribution channels, and online platforms, Whit has effectively broadened the reach of the organizations he's been part of.
With a clear vision of giving customers the ability to accomplish what they once deemed impossible, Whit Allen embodies the spirit of innovation and leadership. His mantra, inspired by Daniel Burrus in "Flash Foresight," encapsulates his approach: “Give your customer the ability to do what they can't currently do, but would want to, if they only knew it was possible.” This philosophy drives Whit's engagements with customers and his commitment to facilitating transformative solutions that empower organizations in the high-tech sector.
Tags
high-tech sales leader
OEM components distribution
global sales expertise
collaboration and team building
value proposition expert
cross-cultural sales strategies
business development
sales management experience
energy technologies
LED lighting solutions
international business management
educational background
Texas A&M University
Thunderbird School of Global Management
manufacturing and telecommunications
consultation in tech industries
dynamic sales strategies
Location
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Clay offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Clay offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Clay's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
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