Work Experience
2011 » Present
Retail Sales Consultant
AT&T
- Received promotion from part-time to full-time in fewer than 60 days after completing training, based on performance and attitude
- Clocked in early or on time for every single shift
- Provided customers with personalized solutions to complex problems and opportunities, while maintaining a positive attitude in an extremely pressurized retail environment.
- Consistently exceeded coworker and supervisor expectations with regard to work ethic and positive attitude
- Positively affected customer opinion of a multi-billion dollar corporation, by consistently listening to and responding appropriately to customer issues
In my customers' own words:
"He was knowledgeable, friendly and went beyond my expectations."
"a stellar representative!!"
"enthusiastic and very professional. He was also quite knowledgeable about the products."
"He is a real customer service representation, you need more people like him."
2010 » Present
Barista
Starbucks Coffee Company
- In under a month, (while still learning the system) became the highest selling partner in a special promotion of VIA, a new Starbucks instant coffee, selling through a drive-through window
- Created a fun work environment by volunteering for the jobs nobody else wanted and doing them with a smile
- Consistently exceeded customer and supervisor expectations in enthusiasm and quality results, both in sales and customer service
In my manager's own words:
"Ben is far and away the best partner that we have here when it comes to engaging with our customers. When Ben is on the floor I feel very confident that none of our customers will leave with anything less than an above average experience. Ben is one of the better partners I have ever come across in my years with Starbucks"
2002 » 2010
Campus Minister
Campus Crusade for Christ
- Worked in multiple ministry settings in 2 states
- Coached student-led music teams in various contexts
(summer missions trips, campus worship gatherings on both small and large campuses, etc)
- Assembled and led worship music teams for various events/conferences--here's some live audio from a Fall Conference a few years ago
(One audio example) (A significantly more "rockin" example)
- Experienced the "tough conversations" when unqualified folks auditioned for worship teams
- Led corporate worship during staff meetings, small group meetings, large group meetings, and conferences
- Worked in multiple ministry settings in 2 states, dealing with students in small schools (300 or fewer students) and students from larger schools (22,000 or more students)
- Developed and managed an online ministry presence geared toward college students using traditional online media in addition to cutting edge social media solutions
- Pioneered the online presence of an established conference for 1,000+ students from a 5-state area, using live blogs, Ustream.tv broadcasts, and facebook groups
(7,000+ Pageviews, 1,900+ Unique Visitors in a little more than a week)
- Trained and managed student leaders and volunteers in effective use of social media for ministry, effective social interaction, spiritual disciplines, time management, conflict resolution, delegation, critical thinking, and many other life skills
- Raised over $400,000 to cover salary, benefits, and ministry expenses from individuals and churches (using a 30-minute interactive sales presentation with a referral ask, a financial ask, and followup)
- Ministered cross-culturally in Central Asia and Sweden
Education
1998 » 2002
BA in Religious Studies
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
- Focused academically on Early American Religious History
- Served as student president of Campus Crusade for Christ
- Led the worship team(s) at CCC weekly large-group meetings (300-600 folks) for 3.5 semesters, before training my replacement
- Learned valuable delegation, management, and people skills through leadership of small group studies and leadership teams
- Learned crucial time management skills necessary to lead the largest active student group at the university, as well as successfully fulfill the requirements for my academic degree
Awards and Miscellaneous Extras
- 1996: Eagle Scout Award, Boy Scouts of America.
- 360+ twitter followers, 1400+ facebook friends
- Personal facebook page grew by 350+ people in less than a week with $0 spent in advertising
- I've taught Tim Keller's "Gospel Christianity" course in the context of the local church (levels 1-3)