Client Testimonials
“Eight months into our initiative, we are starting to see handsome results. Our inside and outside sales staff seem more confident, effective, and proactive. Both our company and customers benefit from the enhanced professionalism and efficiencies Ken has guided us to.”
“Ken has not merely educated us on being better leaders in our stores, he has educated us on being better people in our own lives. Through communication, understanding, and changing our perspective on how we look at life both in and out of the work place. We will improve everything and everyone we touch every day. It is difficult to find someone who is doing exactly what they are meant to do. Ken is that person…A great and understanding educator. Thank you.”
“Like many companies in the LBM Industry, Mid-Cape Home Centers was at a point where we needed to change the way we approached business. We decided to retain the services of Ken Wilbanks and saw an immediate impact.
“I cannot overstate the benefit Ken Wilbanks has been to our company. He offered us a clear and concise game plan to Beat Last Year. In his role as coach, Ken helped us Change Our Behaviors, Redefine Our Attitudes and Hone our Sales and Leadership Techniques.
“I highly recommend the services of Ken Wilbanks and can personally attest to the value he can bring to an organization.”
“Fellow Association Execs: Your dealer and supplier members will benefit tremendously from the relational insight of advisor, educator, and coach Ken Wilbanks.
Ken successfully combines his years of solid experience in the LBM industry with his natural ability to “reach and connect with” his audience. He has a “direct but supportive” approach that encourages people to honestly reflect on the present in order to identify and target future opportunities. He then coaches them through the necessary changes that are required to maximize their chances of success.
Whether Ken is educating a roomful of members, advising the management and employees of a single member company at their own location, or coaching an owner in a one on one setting, his message helps every listener feel that their personal and corporate possibilities are substantial and attainable. No matter the audience, the format, or the venue, your members will be inspired and positively changed by Ken Wilbanks.”
“Kenneth Wilbanks is a highly professional, informative and entertaining speaker. As a meeting planner, I found him to be easy to work with and the audience feedback was very positive. ‘Very good - Ken kept everyone involved in the seminar. Far, far above anything I expected. Ken set the standard for other speakers that I doubt will ever be met,’ is how one attendee summed up the experience. ”
“People are still talking about your seminar — my readers are calling and writing in for more articles like Within a Culture of Excellence — my boss thinks I am a hero for ‘discovering’ you. I owe you a car. If you have any more articles, keep’m coming!”
“Ken is a brilliant teacher, a passionate leader, and a counselor, but most of all an educational coach with a remarkable depth of communicational skills and humor, who has challenged each and every person in our organization. He has a set program but is willing to vary from it, as questions come up from the rank and file. Ken uses an old-fashioned hands on approach with the ultimate goal of making everyone more successful.I feel all of the Triple A personnel received the skills that equipped them to do their jobs better and succeed, which shows with customer satisfaction and increased employee productivity.”
“Ken Wilbanks, quite simply, changed my life and the lives of our employees. He is a man with decades of experience in the building materials industry. He is also a man obsessed with individual and collective excellence. He is an intuitive counselor and workshop leader who challenges each of us to identify and attain our personal best in life and the workplace. He has inspired us to greatness!”
“I just wanted to thank you for choosing us to be the beneficiary of your building materials industry expertise, knowledge and wisdom. It was evident from spending the afternoon together that you have so much to offer an organization like ours. And your energy is infectious. I woke up today thinking that our organization was the fortunate winner of the top draft pick. Your generosity with regard to your offer of giving back to the industry in the form of making a local Maine company a more competitive and profitable entity is certainly appreciated. But in life, these offers tend to come back to the giver in multiples.”
“Coach. Teacher. Mentor. Integrity. Candor. Each speaks to what Ken Wilbanks can bring to a business. We have used his services 3 times on three separate projects. I suspect that this is unheard of in the consulting business - he is THAT good! If you want your company to become the “best that it can be”, Brother Ken will CHALLENGE YOU to become it.”
“Prior to my time spent with Ken if anyone told me it would benefit me as a leader and a person to talk with someone like Ken I would have dismissed that suggestion in a New York minute. However with circumstances beyond my control and going in kicking and screaming I had the benefit of spending a few days with Ken and my peers. The end result gave me a renewed spirit for not only our industry but for family, friends and co-workers. During our time together I came back to the foundation of beliefs that I have tried to live by and set examples by. I came to have a much greater respect for my peers and all of those associated to our industry, including suppliers and customers. All in all I would suggest to even the most ridged of people in our industry to take some time to explore what it is that makes you who and what you are, and Ken is the guy to help you do this.”
“I just wanted to say thanks again for a great class! Even though I am still in training and not in the field alone yet, I gotta tell you, your classes are so helpful. As a matter of fact they are very inspirational to me, being the “ROOKIE”, and wanting to succeed! I have come away from the two times I’ve met you, feeling like I took a step forward in my own path of this business! I hope we see more of you in the future, you are great inspiration!”
“It is difficult to know where to begin to express the wonderful benefits of having Ken Wilbanks serve as our business coach. His experience and passion for the Independent Lumber and Building Supply Industry are unsurpassed. He has helped us to address all aspects of our business from global issues to personal counseling. His vibrant and dynamic personality and consulting style is positively infectious to the organization. His worldly perspective helps us to see our own business in a different light.”
“For any company in the building materials industry looking for an inspirational catalyst to train and develop people in what it takes to be competitive in today’s dynamic forces, you will truly want to consider the first-hand experiences, sensitive insight, and the articulate ability of Ken Wilbanks. He is an extraordinarily gifted educator who will listen with his heart, engage in your needs, and customize programs to your perfection.”
“Ken Wilbanks truly believes in education in our industry. After taking any of his classes you will realize that he has a wealth of information to share, and you will keep on going back for more.”
“I am pleased to offer our endorsement of Ken Wilbanks as an excellent industry educator. I began working with Ken when I assumed management of our educational programs in the spring of 2002. I was immediately struck by Ken’s contagious enthusiasm for this industry and his genuine interest in helping to educate his peers and competitors.Ken brings insight, energy, humor, common sense and a fresh perspective to his programs. He tackles the tough issues facing the lumber and building materials industry, including a shrinking and aging labor force, competition from the ‘big boxes’, changing consumers and changing needs, as well as, the increasingly widening chasm between a traditional top down management structure and a workforce more and more interested in team decision making and individual empowerment.Ken has also been very well received by our members with his on site training. Ken is able to offer personalized and customized education for members. Ken has done thirteen on site programs for us this year. I fully expect that our members will wish to contract with Ken and with us to provide more of these programs in the future. ”
“As a relative newcomer to the lumber business I am fortunate to have had Ken Wilbanks’ support along every step of the way. Ken’s teachings are based on knowledge he earned the hard way–by dedicating his life to the building supplies industry and toiling endlessly to make it a better place. His philosophies are borne of experience in all aspects of the business, from the mill operated by his ancestors through the mega-giants today known as Lowe’s and Home Depot. His message of achieving excellence resonates throughout his seminars, whether they are about customer service, yard operations, merchandising, or competition in an aggressive market. Ken’s enthusiasm shows through in his passionate delivery of his sermons. I have grown tremendously as a result of Ken’s counsel and take his mantras with me into the workplace every day. He has had an enormous impact on my professional development and I am grateful to have had his guidance.”
“We have 35 employees here at the Massena branch, and it feels like we are dancing to the same beat! We now work in unison with each other to achieve one goal, to satisfy the customer. And we are finding that it is not as hard as it looks. I am closing more sales, understanding customers’ needs and becoming the professional they are looking for and need.I can not thank you enough.”
“Since having the opportunity to attend many of Ken Wilbanks’ seminars I have come to realize how his philosophies have played out in my work environment. He taught us the importance of being a team. The information we received from Ken was not only very valuable, but it was vital to our team at Triple A Building Center. Personally Ken taught me the importance of perfection. To search from within and go with your gut. To speak up and ask for what you want. To be happy with what you’re doing and above all to love one another. Treat others like you want to be treated.”
“We probably all have a persistent problem. For us, maintaining neat piles of lumber had always been a challenge. After Ken’s presentation of industry standards, including the rationales behind the practices, our employees now recognize the benefits. Keeping flat piles of lumber and routinely removing the cull actually reduces waste and simplifies our work, and now our customers perceive that we have good quality products. Thanks to Ken’s time with us, we now have some of the highest standards in the industry.”
“I have given a great deal of thought and consideration before actually sitting down to scribe a true testament of what you have done for me, both personally and professionally, and I do so without reservation. I truly consider you a true friend, and confidant.
“I have known Ken Wilbanks for many years, and more recently realized an opportunity to be mentored and coached by him professionally in a real and tremendously effective manner. Ken’s daily, practical “No Brainer” initiatives are a welcomed advancement booster to any Corporation, and professionals Career objectives in any industry.
“Let’s face it, the market today is so very different than even a year ago, and Ken is very pointed in his direction of where to go, and what to do to increase your business even in today’s horrible market. Thinking “Outside the Box” took on a very different meaning and prompted me to think of ways to increase sales quite differently than “Main-Stream” however not even close to Rocket Science.
“Finally, Ken pushed us in a professionally challenging way looking at all aspects of our daily business and beyond. One of the key points I remember out of many is to uplift and encourage Team Members and to celebrate success daily. It takes small steps “Kaizan” and endurance to reach the peak, Sales Manager’s, Coaches, Business Owners, Presidents of Companies, Mentors and the like, It is our Moral and ethical responsibility to get our Team To the Peak in the “GAME” utilizing the Rules, scoreboards, rewards, penalties, praise and Trophies for the Winners.
“Ken, Thank you so much for the lasting influence you have had on my life and I look forward to “Networking” with you for eternity. God Bless!”
“There are leading companies out there no matter what economy you are in, you just have to make the decision to be one of those companies”. Since hearing that statement I have been inspired to spread it around. I state it to employees, customers and contractors alike. Beat last year follows that statement!! Ken Wilbanks is a difference maker for ANY company!! Change your behavior, change your results and look for the next hill to climb.
“Ken’s ability to inspire is unparalleled. After spending time with him, you are confident you can conquer any task necessary and are pretty confident you can actually conquer the world!”
“It is easy being coached by someone who speaks your language.”
“I was apprehensive when Ken Wilbanks first came to our 113 year old organization, to help us with our business. It took us a lesson in our own characteristics to open up and learn about the other employees, which we spend our 10-hour days with. I’m a Beaver and work with Lions, Otters and Golden Retrievers. It was entertaining as Ken exercised us with how we relate to each of the other animals and how we look in the eyes of others. This lesson taught us on how to communicate with our co-workers and was inspirational as we learned the different ways of communication. When Ken first came in contact with our Company, the mission was clear “Beat Last Year!” As a merchant this message was difficult in the beginning as our Company had several areas of concern to address. The challenge came with a simple sku of contractor trash bags. Buy better (larger volume), merchandise in key areas, suggestive sell, cold call on customers not entering the store such as local businesses and watch the growth of sales. This along with his key points to great end cap merchandising, challenged us to involve our entire company in teamwork and improvement in profit dollars.”
“Ken’s knowledge of the Retail industry is tremendous. He has the answer to questions almost before you ask them. He has helped us identify areas we can succeed in even in today’s tough home improvement climate.”
“Ken is one of the most passionate and knowledgeable people I have ever met in my 36 years in the LBM industry. He truly cares for his customers, personally and professionally. He continues to coach, advise and share new techniques and systems throughout our year’s long initiatives. Ken is firm but compassionate with everyone that is fortunate enough to benefit from his sessions. Ken always continues to influence people to improve the profit of the company.
Many of our veteran sales staff have benefited from his reaffirming previously learned techniques and Ken’s new ideas. Ken knows every aspect of our industry from deliveries to the top executives role. If you sincerely want to improve your bottom line and are willing to make changes, then Ken is the coach for you.”
“I joined the Company on June 2, 2008. I kept hearing about this guy “Ken
Wilbanks”. Surely this guy must “walk on water”! Surely this man was “able
to leap tall buildings in a single bound”! I was told that I would get to
meet him soon. I anxiously waited for my turn to meet him. The
announcements went out for the “Ken Wilbanks Training/Coach Sessions-June
Session” but alas my name did not appear on the list; perhaps an oversight.
I waited for the revised list. Finally the new list came out and now my
name was on the list!
On June 25th the day finally came. As I walked into the conference room in
South Dennis I saw “the man”…I saw Ken Wilbanks! He did not let me down!
He approached me and said with a delightfully pleasant southern accent “Hi
Jack welcome! I am sure that I will get to know you very well!” Ken made
me feel very welcomed. I was relieved.
In reviewing my training experience with Ken I have concluded that he gets
very high grades.
Knowledge of Work - Ken’s technical knowledge and practical experience in
the performance of his job as Mentor and Coach was outstanding. He has
extensive work knowledge in many Teamwork Training functions.
Quantity of Work - He demonstrated remarkable ability to present all of the
training points in a timely fashion and he made them fun.
Leadership and Management Abilities - He exhibited extraordinary leadership
and spirit amongst his students. He is the kind of leader that one will
follow and listen to.
Initiative - Ken seemed always ready to come up with ideas to do keep us
interested in the material. He demonstrated an uncanny ability to work
through the training and he exhibited creatively. He planned and used his
time effectively.
Quality of Work - He demonstrated an ability to present the materials
accurate and virtually error free.
Communications - He has a very good ability to communicate well.
Overall Performance - Ken consistently exceeded my expectations.
I can’t wait for my next “Ken Wilbanks” training and coaching session!
“You will truly want to consider the first-hand experiences, sensitive insight, and the articulate ability of Ken Wilbanks.”