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 Before 1988
Paul began his working life as a motor mechanic in the mid 70’s. He became involved with computers while working for Bridgestone in the late 70’s and again in early 80’s when working for Tandy as National distribution Manager. Throughout the rest of the 80’s he was involved in a variety of sales positions for companies like Flagship store Manager for Tandy, Oce Reprographics, Joyce Mayne, Electronic Sales & Rentals, and then while working as National Advertising Manager for Silcon Chip magazine he had a chance meeting with Mike Muhney one of the co founders of ACT! in July 1988.
Since 1988
Paul purchased one of the first copies of ACT! in 1988 from Mike and began to use the product to manage both his advertising portfolio and other interests. During this time he also sold and installed a number of copies to business colleagues. He help many build their business processes around having a solid client management system. A number of these early clients are still using ACT!.
In 1991 Mike rang Paul from the US and asked him to take over the Australian distribution role for ACT! as the current relationship had failed. Over the ensuing 2 years and up until the purchase by Symantec ACT! Plus distributed thousands of copies of both in ACT! for DOS and the early Windows versions.
With the regional distribution role behind him Paul went back into consulting and continued to expand his practice completing assignments in London, New York, Hong Kong, New Zealand and a number of other countries for many Australian organisations. During this period up until April 2000 Paul was involved with over 2000 site installations.
The new Century - after 2000
In April 2000 Saleslogix under the leadership of Patrick Sullivan (One of the co founders of ACT!) the organisation purchased ACT! back from Symantec. Paul was approached to join the organisation as both Business Development and Technical lead for the Asia Pacific region. This was a great new challenge as it meant Paul could now pass on to others the method of building and growing a business through being an ACT! Consultant. Given the poor job of Symantec promoting the product in this region he would also be able to lead the charge and put ACT! back in the market in Asia Pacific.
During this period Paul as responsible for launches of ACT in countries across the Asia Pacific region including all states of Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, India, China, Hong Kong, and Phillipines. The team based out of the Melbourne head office based on the Symantec sales figures grew over 2000% and over $1 million in distribution revenue during this period. As business development was a key component of this growth there were on 9 consultants in the region in 2000. A major component of this Paul recruited and trained over 100 new consultants across the region.
Sage purchases ACT in 2002
Sage Plc purchased the Saleslogix Corporation in 2002 and towards the end of June Paul did not renew his contract with Sage and returned to the consulting world. Paul continued to work with a small group of clients until September 2005 when he joined Act Today an Australia wide group of like minded ACT Consultants under the leadership of Michael Bryant who was introduced to ACT! by Paul way back in 1991.
Sea change with a difference
In 2005 Paul and his partner purchased a country property in Picton where his consulting practice is now based servicing clients in both Sydney and Canberra on a regular basis. Over this 20 year period Paul has come full circle although some might say he best enjoys being in front of clients and creating the magic of assisting them implement one of the worlds great software products.
Paul has been one of the CRM pioneers in Australia and the Asia Pacifc region, with friends and clients around the world considers himself privileged to be one of those original 8 ACT! Certified Consultants in that first class in Dallas in 1990.
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