About
Relevant Solutions for Your Real-World Training Objectives
Our professional passion is embedded in collaborating with organizations and professionals to close the gap between what they want to achieve but haven’t yet.
From midsize to large corporations, our sense of importance and accomplishment is attached to keeping a steady stream of business units directly in front of us who are determined to reach their next level of excellence and we do this in three ways….
1st Relevant Foundation
All our training is based on being relevant and actionable. Our trainers and consultants only train on topics in which they have lived.
2nd Attendee Engagement
Meetings/Trainings are strategically built to have every mind involved.
3rd Blended Cadence
Training is only as relevant as its implementation.
Whether you’re a medium sized business or large corporation, if you want to grow contact Smart Business Evolution to schedule your complimentary business consultation now.
Leadership Team
Michael James Crain, President
As a former Director of Corporate Development for a billion dollar company, Michael Crain combines his years of real-world business experience with an over-zealous passion to deliver the business intelligence needed to help people and organizations reach further towards their full potential.
Michael continues to enjoy working relationships with a wide variety of clients. From those just breaking into the market to those who dominate Fortune 500, Michael is entrenched in making certain that each encounter is centered on delivering relevant and actionable intelligence.
There’s a common thread between the comments from clients of Smart Business Evolution [SBE] and that is in Michael’s ability to deliver insight in a manner that engages the audience. While first and foremost is Michael’s passion to ensure each training and development session is centered on real-world application, Michael is also dedicated to designing training that stimulates audience active participation and enjoyment.
Michael is also Author of “Beyond the Billboards”. After completing a multi-year research project contrasting ordinary organizations to the extraordinary, Michael decided to share the findings with a larger audience through his first published book. His second book will focus on successful management practices (spring of 2013).
Endorsed by leaders within global organizations like Marriott, Verizon, Gensler, Swinerton, Harley Davidson, Chase Bank, Pfizer, Wells Fargo, Liberty Mutual and Subway; Crain provides the tools you need to become the thought and growth leader in your field.
520.483.4002 / michael@SmartBizSBE.com
Barbara Appenzeller
Director of Financial Intelligence
Along with being the Director of Finance Intelligence at Smart Business Evolution [SBE], Barbara Appenzeller is the founder and president of the highly acclaimed tax and accounting firm Appenzeller and Associate, CPAs, P.C., headquartered in Tempe, Arizona. Barbara is a Certified Public Accountant with a degree in accounting from Arizona State University. Barbara has an extensive background in the legal field, serving in a variety of positions in high profile law firms. This background gives Barbara the foundation to serve as a trusted guide and valued consultant to her clients, providing insight well beyond financial statements. Barbara is committed to the overall success and financial stability of her clients, providing them with accounting services, management support, tax return preparation and tax advice.
Barbara is also a dedicated community leader. She has generously volunteered her time and expertise to a variety of community organizations including the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Phoenix Chapter, Phoenix Conservatory of Music, Arizona State University Spirit of Enterprise, Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence as well as many other organizations. She has served as treasurer and on boards of directors for several non-profits since 1989. Additionally, Barbara is a speaker and community educator for several non-profit organizations. Her dedication and quality service has won her many awards and accolades from peers and the business community.
480.467.3333 / Barbara@SmartBizSBE.com
David Morris, Senior Advisor
Leadership and Internal Culture
David is a skilled relationship builder with a record of success in building, maintaining and advancing key relationships in order to drive business results. As a proven leader himself, he is able to build support and drive initiatives at all levels within the organization.
David possesses a high degree of skill in regard to engineering and implementing “best practices” within fast moving medium-to-large corporations as well as government agencies. As noted by a satisfied client, “David is like an airplane engineer who is capable of successfully completing repairs while in air”.
Due to his extensive background in real-world corporate operations, he speaks and develops personnel with strong focus on live application. Included in his core competencies is the ability to help leaders to line-level associates create greater outcomes in matters relating to difficult conversations, conflict management, teamwork, team building, developing trust, goal setting, strategic planning and time management.
405.443.6640 / David@SmartBizSBE.com
JuliAnn Stitick, Senior Advisor
Image and Business Etiquette
JuliAnn Stitick is a Transformational Speaker & Image Stylist. She styles for the Oscars, provides corporate image and interaction training for companies such as Kaiser Permanente. JuliAnn has worked with thousands of men and women worldwide improving not only how they look but elevating their level of professional etiquette.
JuliAnn began her image stylist career in 2000, at Nordstrom, where she was a Personal Stylist in the Personal Touch Department. She quickly became highly sought after because of her ability to understand a client’s personality and match a wardrobe to each individual style, taking into consideration profession, lifestyle and preferences.
JuliAnn teaches the nuts and bolts of fashion, what she calls “Buttons & Bows” and the Do’s and Don’ts of personal interactions. She guides her clients in creating a consistently fabulous first, and lasting, impression.
818.653.2101 / JuliAnn@SmartBizSBE.com
Diane Mayer, Senior Consultant
Client Solutions
Diane Mayer is a seasoned professional with expertise spanning sales, marketing, training and client services, combining business focus and 30 years sales/marketing experience with genuine relationship building are her greatest asset.
Diane’s industry expertise spans emerging technologies, training & consulting services as well as marketing/advertising. Her focus is on on capturing new markets and developing long term, profitable customer relationships by offering truly relevant solutions for the real-world training objectives of medium to large organizations.
661.609.5304 / Diane@SmartBizSBE.com
Karen Lane, Senior Advisor
Information Technology Expert
Karen is a dynamic trainer with over 15 years of business experience in training, information technology, and customer support. She’s earned awards for leadership development and customer service. Karen has a straight-forward communication style, and her experience as a systems analyst helps her explain technical concepts in an understandable way. She’s smart, professional, and a good listener.
Her leadership development expertise includes team building, performance coaching, joint goal setting, and skill development in a sales environment. She also teaches business and technical writing. Karen has a B.A. in English from the University of Virginia, and is a member of the American Society for Training and Development. She has a certificate in Instructional Design, and is a formidable Scrabble player.
206.661.9553 / Karen@SmartBizSBE.com
Delivery
We ensure each session is highly interactive by following a smart 4-step approach:
1st-Step We value each participant and the spirit of teamwork
Our first objective is to recognize each participant and earning the right to be listened to by first ensuring they know they are respected. We also make sure they not only connect with the instructor but more importantly connect with fellow attendees (some of the best insight shared come from those seated in the seat of the students).
2nd-Step We cultivate a safe learning environment
This is not to be mistaken for a non-challenging environment… everyone will be stretched beyond the boundaries of their current comfort zone. However, we want everyone to feel enough comfort that they are willing and able to share their baseline performances in regard to current skill level. We also want to foster the feeling they can be candid as well as receptive to receiving needed feedback.
3rd-Step We strategically merge current best-known methods with real-world operations
We ensure a successful transfer from outside philosophy to internal adoption by integrating the language and processes of your specific industry.
4th-Step We ensure understanding through real-play
Every key concept is role-played using real-world scenarios. Candid feedback is then provided by the instructor, and more importantly, their fellow participants.
Proceeds Benefiting
Offices in the U.S. and training worldwide.
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