Doubling Coverage for Twin Cities Manufacturers
The Weekly Report – September 27, 2021
We welcome Kari Rusing, our newest business development consultant for manufacturers in the Twin Cities.
Enterprise Minnesota helps Minnesota manufacturing enterprises grow profitably, and we have just added more coverage in the Twin Cities to ensure that metro area manufacturers get the necessary resources they desire to compete and grow profitably.
We welcome Kari Rusing as our newest business development consultant. The first time we met, it was obvious she brings the skills and relationship-building experience to connect with manufacturing executives and help them identify the right resources and services to achieve effective business results.
Kari graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, and she has an MBA from ASU’s Thunderbird School of Global Management. She has worked in sales since 1996, first with Ernst and Young in Texas and later as a partner at O’Brien and Sexton Associates in the Twin Cities.
She has led sales for several national brands, including Target, Best Buy and Menards. While working with Target, she curated, secured, and managed six of the company’s owned-brand programs and consistently helped those companies and others reach annualized sales up to $23 million.
As impressive as that is, she also implemented a strategic sales plan for Target that resulted in a three-year, 240 percent sales growth.
“Six years ago, I left a company because it became too sales focused,” Kari said. “The companies I worked with needed more. They needed support, and they weren’t always getting that. That’s one thing Enterprise Minnesota offers clients.
“It’s about relationship building and staying with clients,” she said. “Everyone here cares about their clients. It’s much more personal. We care about improving manufacturing, helping companies increase revenue and helping them grow positively. That’s really what drew me here.”
Kari and fellow business developer Joel Scalzo both cover Hennepin County.
“My first day was at an employee recognition ceremony,” Kari said. “As I talked to each Enterprise Minnesota employee, it was obvious they care about our clients. It wasn’t just a business relationship for them. They really have great passion to help manufacturers succeed.”
Welcome aboard, Kari.
To connect with Kari please click here.
Events Calendar
September 14-30 – State of Manufacturing® focus groups
Our State of Manufacturing survey is underway, and focus groups complement the data to help us understand how manufacturers are approaching economic issues and opportunities. Find upcoming sessions and register.
October 7 – A Model for Manufacturing Excellence Using ISO 9001
ISO certification expert Keith Gadacz will be discussing ways to take your operation from average to excellent using the ISO 9001 business management system. Online via Zoom Learn more and register
October 21 – Investing In Your People to Create Leaders At All Levels
Talent and leadership development expert Abbey Hellickson will be demonstrating why leadership development is critical in today’s environment and how to determine key competencies for your organization . Online via Zoom Learn more and register
Industry News
Medical device maker Minnetronix expands in St. Paul
After 25 years of rolling out other companies’ medical devices, St. Paul-based contract manufacturer Minnetronix Medical has begun designing some of its own. September 20, Pioneer Press Read more
Cirrus Aircraft announces expansion to Florida with Cirrus Orlando
The expansion serves a deep-rooted and growing personal aviation market in Florida and the Southeastern U.S. region. Cirrus Orlando is scheduled to open in early 2022. September 22, CirrusAircraft.com Read more
The production evolution – distributed manufacturing in a changing market
The last 15 months have given manufacturers good reason to think about how to protect their production flows and make them more efficient. September 23, Manufacturing-Today.com Read more
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