SBE Client Testimonials

What they’re saying about SBE…

“We hired Michael Crain from Smart Business Evolution early in January 2012, to help our firm develop a Strategic Plan to navigate through these challenging economic times. Michael’s vast experience provided concise clarity and solid direction in our plan. He helped break down some of the barriers to concepts that had been entrenched in our organization by making us think outside the box. His extensive relationships with world class firms helped provide benchmarks from which to set goals and objectives. He helped us assign accountability to our team with the expectations to make 2012 a successful year!

Aaron Haas -  Vice President of Operations / Lundgren Management

“Michael Crain’s passion and years of experience were invaluable to us as he opened our eyes to new ways of providing memorable customer service and improving our performance.”

Scott McAllister – Vice President / Marriott International

“Michael has played an important role in taking my sales team to the next level over the last 6 weeks.  Throughout the month of May, as a result of our weekly training sessions with Michael, my sales team increased their sales by an average of 38% week over week. “

Jeff Witte – Vice President

“I would like to thank you for your excellent presentation and instruction. It was very thoughtful and engaging. We have received nothing but glowing reviews from the conference attendees. I would highly recommend your services and would be pleased to provide any reference or testimonial that would be helpful to you, and ultimately the audiences that would have the pleasure of  participating in your seminar.”

Curtis J. Onishenko  – Lawyer at McKercher LLP / CBA

“I recently attended a very worthwhile work session run by Michael Crain for Terrapin Investments.  I have attended dozens of these types of sessions throughout my career.   I can tell you without hesitation that Michael led this session to provide an extremely meaningful and impactful result for those attending.

The session was totally engaging and set off ideas on how to better the managers and team members involved and gave many thought provoking points to become better at what we do.   It was and continues to be a driver for better management and strong engagement for all attended.  This is a credit to Mr. Crain ability and expertise.  I would highly recommend his service to any and all industries.”

Jerry Burden – CFO / Timbers

An amazing workshop with lots of tools for myself and the team to embody! Watching the team come together, engage and participate was terrific. Hearing the comments and enthusiasm following was even better. What I saw today was a unification and a new understanding for the team on how we can all progress and make positive changes for the betterment of the team, the company and for our owners and members.

Ellie McAtee - General Manager / One Steamboat Place

Dana provided our company with practical safety knowledge and trained our staff on safety and OSHA compliance material specifically tailored to our industry.  Our staff learned practical safety management techniques during Dana’s presentation.  Our employees really liked that Dana made dry, sometimes difficult material interesting and easier to understand.

Jim C-Owner / LARx

“From the moment you walked into the room, you exemplified the keys to effective relationship selling.  Through your pre–meeting preparation, you called each person by name, expressed knowledge of their specific role with the company, and sold the benefits of the training by making it relevant to our world.  This proved to have a great IMPACT on my team.”

Ed Newell – District Manager / Pfizer

“Michael has a real knack for being able to “zero in” on key areas of accountability that drive tangible momentum within the sales team. His exemplary story telling, timely mentoring and active coaching style makes him a real pleasure to work with in pursuit of sales excellence and improved performance. Onward and upward!”

Gary Robinson – Commercial Director – Canada 

“I recently attended a training session held by Michael Crain from Smart Business Evolution to facilitate improved communication between the Architect, Consultants and Contractor for a large and complex project. Michael is dynamic, insightful and extremely engaging.  All parties benefited from his insight into human behavior and communication traits. His research and depth of knowledge is thorough and he quickly became a valuable team member and assisted all participants to relate on a higher level.”

Caroll Crump - Senior Project Manager / Gensler

“In the first quarter of 2012, Michael Crain was asked to deliver a course to a team of highly talented project managers and engineers.  The weeklong training was for both internal and external negotiations. Not only was the course content relevant and insightful, Michael was able to get everyone actively engaged so that we could see how the intelligence trained could be put to real use in live situations.”

Ricardo Garcia – Deputy Site Leader / Honeywell Aerospace

“As we all know business climate continues to change shape and each time we have come across a new challenge or opportunity we reach out to Barbara Appenzeller of SBE for her advice.  Her expertise is invaluable as it encompasses all aspects of real-world business operations as well as personal investments.”

Bart Nadolski – Owner / Express Technology

With a natural talent for taking a leadership role, Dana of SBE  can adeptly communicate with even the most demanding personalities and gain cooperation to find resolutions to difficult situations. Displaying a vast knowledge of her field she is able to apply industry concepts in innovative ways to meet the challenges of diverse problems.

Adam Harrison – Manager / Covenant Aviation Security

“When hiring a new vendor you always have concerns, specially when the service is targeted towards management. Michael Crain delivered a superb workshop on Management skills within our Construction Company. He takes the average class up a few notches to build the bridge between understanding what a skill can do to how to apply that skill every day in workplace. He received great reviews and I look forward to having him back.”

Lea Burr - Training Coordinator / Clyde Companies

“Michael has left many impressions upon me that will forever be life and career changing after completing his coaching sessions. His words echo throughout my day and I find them both inspiring and motivating. I have been entrenched in the world of coaching and presentations for many years and found his knowledge, ability, conviction and skill sets to be amongst the highest of all my experiences and trainings. Michael’s coaching ability comes through effortlessly and flawlessly through stories, systems, actions, curriculum, and passion. Michael has raised my consciousness and standards in many, many ways. I look forward to continued learning and coaching with him.”

Dawn Dinger - CEO / Aurora Capital Investments, Inc.

“I’m delighted I attended Michael’s seminar last month. He is a great motivator and story-teller. I highly recommend his work.”

Mario Coral -Principal Geologist / ConocoPhillips

What can I say?  Your presentation was awesome!  Thank you so much for coming today and spending some time with our group.  I think the general consensus was that we should have coordinated another hour or two for your presentation- it was that great!  Everyone just soaked up your advice and enthusiasm.

Michael Collete – Sales Manager / Marriott International 

“Should you have the opportunity to meet with the team at SBE and more importantly engage their services, I encourage you to do so.  I am confident that your business communication and bottom line will benefit.”

Tami Esling -Real Estate Broker and Distressed Property Expert /RE/MAX

Dana leads by example and many find her enthusiasm and dedication both inspiring and motivating. When working with our leadership and executive teams, Dana worked hard to build authentic relationships with managers, supervisors and associates. Her efforts and natural leadership talent created a happier and more productive environment driving commitment and contribution to safety from all levels throughout the origination.

Ralph Ciaramella –  Senior Operations Executive / GM

“Michael was the guest speaker at a meeting of the Association of Women Entrepreneurs that I recently attended. I was impressed on several levels: 1) he immediately engaged the audience with story and humor, 2) he brought to life concepts for self improvement in a way that will help me coach my own team, and most important, 3) he gave me an extraordinarily practical framework for taking my own business to the next level. This framework, Michael’s SMART Strategy, is the most relevant approach to business planning and goal achievement that I have seen in many years. That very evening I began to complete the packet he generously shared, and I intend to share it with my team in December as our guide to success in 2012…and beyond!”

Diane (Jones) Mayer -Director of Business Development / CodeBaby

For more information about our training courses click here or schedule your next event with Smart Business Evolution by following this link.