“Finish what you start” – CRM manager CEO Andy Atkins
Philadelphia Business Journal – March 30, 2009
‘Finish what you start.’
Andy Atkins-CRM Manager
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Name: Andy Atkins
Title: CEO/founder
Company: CRM Manager, Malvern
Type of company: CRM Manager (www.crm-manager.net) is a software implementation and integration firm that specializes in salesforce.com and Google Enterprise solutions. Services include complete configuration, analytics, integration, education and on-going consulting services.
Recent project: We recently implemented salesforce.com at Harvard.
Education: Pennsylvania State University, BA in political science.
First job: Laborer for George & Lynch Road Construction Co. in 1974.
Little-known fact about you: I worked for John B. Anderson’s presidential campaign in 1980.
Home: Chadds Ford.
business philosophy
Essential business philosophy: Believe wholeheartedly and enthusiastically in your service and product.
Best way to keep a competitive edge: Work twice as hard as your competition and deliver better-than-expected results to your customers.
Yardstick of success: Build a business that someone needs to buy.
Goal yet to be achieved: Growing CRM Manager into a nationwide software consulting firm.
judgment calls
Best decision: My wife and I have two wonderful children and that is the best part of our life today.
Worst decision: Selling part of the business I started in 1989 to a venture capital firm in 2000.
Toughest decision: Leaving a large company in 1989 to start my own business.
Mentor: My old football coach (who has been coaching at the same school for 42 years!).
true confessions
Word that best describes you: Persistent.
Like best about your job: Meeting with clients, prospects and partners.
Like least about your job: Administration and operations.
The most important lesson you’ve learned: Never quit.
Life motto: Finish what you start.
Greatest fear: That something bad would happen to someone in my family.
Person most interested in meeting: President Obama.
Company you respect most: Salesforce.com.
First choice for a new career: Teaching and coaching.
Greatest extravagance: Our beach house in Lewes, Del.
et cetera
Award/honor most proud of: Putting the deal together to buy the assets and become chairman of ExecuTrain Corp. in 2002.
Most influential book: “Swim with the Sharks,” by Harvey Mackay (motivated me to start my own business in 1989).
Favorite movies: “Castaway” with Tom Hanks and “The Searchers” with John Wayne.
Favorite restaurant: Striper Bites in Lewes, Del.
Favorite vacation spot: Besides Lewes Beach, Sea Island, Ga.
Favorite way to spend free time: Golfing and walking the beach.
Automobile you drive: Mercedes-Benz.
