Grindstone Inc. is
headquartered in Ellicott City, Maryland, USA and
was founded by Brian Augustus Parnell in 2003. Brian’s
vision was to quickly position the company as a highly
professional, strategic business development company.
The lack of integrity and professionalism within the
B2B telemarketing industry paved the way for Grindstone
Inc. to substantially raise the bar and set a new
standard. This philosophy has driven the company from
its inception. Grindstone is a leader in sales support
and direct telesales services for the B2B market place.
Services include Lead generation, Lead development
and qualification, appointment setting, event promotion,
and direct telesales.
Industry leader - Grindstone is a full
service, outsourced Business Development
Company providing professional sales support
and complete sales outsourcing solutions
to Domestic and International clients
alike. Grindstone specializes in Business
to Business programs including direct
telesales, lead generation, database updating,
customer retention, and appointment setting
services. Grindstone recruits, manages,
and maintains top level talent through
a superior management infrastructure.
Consistent communication, feedback, and
strategy refinement are a core trait.
Grindstone is an extension of each client’s
business and operates at the highest levels
of professionalism. Every client program
starts with the goal of establishing a
long term ongoing partnership.
Additionally, Grindstone provides services
to all types of businesses including startup
companies, small operations, companies
that are in turnaround situations, as
well as Fortune 500 companies. The company
also assists International companies that
are looking to penetrate into the United
States market space. We are pleased to
have serviced clients that include NASA,
American Express, L3 Communications, Pitney
Bowes, Securitas, Republic Financial and
Panasonic. Grindstone is currently strategizing
a partnership with Carnegie Mellon University/Software
Engineering Institute.
Grindstone firmly believes in superior
professionalism. All clients are treated
the same regardless of their size and
scope of program. Grindstone recognizes
that all client programs are driven by
results. The company has established proven
operation models that ensure its clients
receive top notch service. Additionally
the focus is on its clients Return on
investment. Grindstone is a process driven
company that understands long term client
relationships rely on consistency, quality
performance, and professionalism. The
company’s process flows have steps
to make certain its clients receive direct
and first hand communication from the
entire staff. Additionally clients have
complete access to real time performance
reports via its proprietary web based
contact management system. Clients are
constantly aware of the progression of
their calling campaigns.
Brian
Augustus Parnell, President and Founder -a natural entrepreneur and leader, developed
Grindstone Inc. with his extensive marketing,
sales and call center management experience.
Brian served as the Director of Marketing
for one of the Largest Mortgage Brokers
in the country. Under his management,
his Business Development center produced
record volumes of high quality leads,
significantly expanding the company's
reach into the mortgage refinance industry.
Prior to that, Brian served as a Marketing
and Operations Manager for the largest
Debt Management service provider in the
U.S., where his creative strategies and
entrepreneurial spirit helped to grow
their contact center to over 600 counseling
professionals. Brian has a natural desire
and talent to help companies grow. He
has effectively bridged the gap between
sales and marketing divisions, redesigned
processes and communication flows to maximize
revenue opportunities. Brian is a Towson
University of Maryland graduate with a
Bachelors of Science degree in Advertising
and Communications. He is presently pursuing
an MBA.
Shannon Ashworth, Director
of Operations- Shannon
comes to us with both experience and knowledge in
the position. She has been a top performer on our
client's programs consisently beating goals.Shannon
is a natural leader and motivator. She has over 13
years of sales and sales management experience, and
she obtained her Bachelor’s degree from theUniversity
from Arkansas.
Lee Ann Rife, Program
Manager - Lee Ann has over seven years
of dedication in the Telecommunications industry.
She has worked within all areas of a call center environment.
She was called upon to design and deliver training
programs that result in an excited and more knowledgeable
team ready to put their training to work. Lee Ann
has developed and implemented training curriculum
for multiple companies including SBC (the new AT&T).
She excels in providing clients a knowledgeable workforce
that results in quality customer service from start
to finish. She currently enjoys working to help develop
custom business development plans for each of Grindstones
clients.
Shira Callaway, Program
Manager
- Shira brings 14 years combined experience in B2B
lead generation marketing, sales, professional fundraising
and customer service, and the management of a major
optical facility in Atlanta, GA. Shira has been a
part of her children’s local PTA for years and
has even spoke with Key decision makers to help implement
the best profit for the schools by going to all state
national conferences held on their behalf. As a Program
Manager, Shira partners with her clients to understand
their business needs and develop customized solutions
to meet their business objectives. Shira has excellent
communication skills and a "customer first"
attitude which she instills in her project teams.
Michael Smith, Director
of Business Development - Michael
holds over twenty-five years of successful sales,
marketing and management experience in diversified
businesses. His strengths include an active role in
strategic planning and execution towards positive
outcomes. He has successfully built product brands
and executed marketing campaigns through multi-channel
marketing initiatives, developed and managed regional
and national sales territories, and captured profitable
business opportunities ensuring continued growth for
associated organizations. Michael has extensive IT
program marketing experience spending many years involved
in the Microsoft Business Solutions Partner channel
developing and executing sales strategies in the ERP
and CRM solution space.
Amy Andrews, Director
of Business Development - Amy has
several years experience in Human Resources and Call
Center Operations. Has previously worked in corporate
Human Resources for one of the largest retailers in
New England, allowing her to gain experience on all
levels of personnel functions, create new training
courses for employee development, and implement successful
employee recognition programs. Has also worked as
a Director of Career Services preparing college graduates
for their careers, coordinating job-search workshops,
interview/resume writing workshops, and coordinating
regional and virtual job fairs. Amy holds a degree
in Business Administration from AIU and enjoys working
in recruitment because it allows the opportunity to
meet people of all backgrounds and assist in their
career success.