March – Innovator
Herschel Herndon is the President and Founder of HRH Global Connections, LLC (HRHGC), a consulting practice focused on connecting people with opportunities for growth and a VirtualOffiCenters client based at our Int’l Plaza location. The goal of HRHGC is to drive new growth opportunities, economic development and profitability—a value like no other. This original concept is why we chose Herschel as our March Innovator Client. Keep reading to find out more about Herschel and his fascinating story. To learn more about HRH Global Connections, LLC visit: hrhglobalconnections.com
Every business has a story, tell us yours. My journey to become a business owner began after serving in senior leadership roles over the last 28 years with three major corporations, The Deluxe Corporation (DLX), Stanley-Black & Decker (SWK), and most recently as the Vice President of Local Market Development for Best Buy (BBY). My dream was to put this vast global experience into building my own business in collaboration with key associates. Our team works with organizations and differentiates ourselves by offering:
a. Strategic Guidance and effective implementation approaches
b. Market Development: Identify, acquire and retain new customers for businesses or donors for non-profit organizations
c. Principles of Innovation: Action steps to help leaders & their teams identify new ways to transform their or their client’s businesses for sustainable growth
d. Global Relationships: Create value for our clients by leveraging the capabilities of our global business partner network; additional expertise in diversity competencies, multicultural markets and other differentiating solutions
As an example, we are working with a technology company that has developed innovative micro-chip technology to advance global communications. In addition, I will soon begin work on a major campaign with a leading medical center to raise $3 billion-the largest comprehensive effort in its history!
You were chosen as this month’s Innovator Client, why? I had the chance to recently attend a morning OffiCenter Networking meeting. During this time, we discussed a number of ideas to enhance the Client experience at these events. Lori, Lea and the entire team led us on an energetic discussion and journey. This was also the meeting where the idea of a ‘Wellness Day’ was launched, and approximately 3 weeks later it was a reality. I’ve had a number of discussions with the OffiCenter team to brainstorm ways to enhance some of the already great offerings and services. I’m honored and grateful to be recognized for my enthusiasm and participation after only a few short months as a client. Innovation is something I’m really passionate about. A corporation drops out of the S&P 500 and is replaced once every two weeks. Some analysis shows that by 2030 most of today’s most valuable corporations will fade away or get acquired. Our goal is to help companies develop a strategy for being one of the few to survive and thrive- or to become one of the successful upstarts.
No one likes to brag about their business, but if you HAD TO . . . I am proud of the range, scope and spectrum of organizations we are engaging in strategy discussions or actually working. These range from high technology start-ups, major law firms and non-profit organizations, to major sports leagues, national call centers, retailers, education centers, and healthcare providers. This career stage allows for such a range of exciting and unlimited opportunities!
We learn from our mistakes, especially in business. Give us some words of wisdom. I’ve fallen in love with this SW approach when dealing with prospective clients and failure: Some Will, Some Won’t, So What, Someone’s Waiting! The key is to keep telling your story to as many people as you can as QUICKLY as you can. A strong pipeline is priceless. We need many irons in the fire so any one setback won’t be devastating. Hank Aaron hit 755 home runs but struck out 1383 times! Babe Ruth hit 714 home runs but struck out 1330 times! And Zig Zigler said it best, “We miss 100% of the sales we don’t ask for!” Unseen, Untold, Unsold!
Share the best advice you ever received. It’s always important to listen to that “inner voice” and do what’s best for YOU. You don’t need anyone’s permission to pursue YOUR dreams. Just because it’s never been done before doesn’t mean it’s impossible to do! And perhaps my favorite quote came from a speech given by Steve Jobs at Stanford University a few years ago when he said, “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.”
Describe your perfect day off. It would be a wonderful breakfast or lunch with my wife- preferably on South Beach Miami- and then we would spend the rest of the day sightseeing or just window shopping with no place in particular to rush off to or visit. Since we have a 14 year old son and an 8 year old daughter, it seems we are charter members of the PTA . . . Parent Taxi Association! So having nothing to do but relax with my wonderful wife would be a thrill and perfect day off!
What might someone by surprised to know about you? Well, I was raised in Corpus Christi, TX and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. That was a big change! I was raised by a single parent mother who was an incredible woman. She earned advance degrees in the 1940s and 50s, at a time when that was difficult for African American women to do so, then she dedicated her life to teaching others. Plus, I had four older sisters and was the last child and only son. So as my mom liked to say, “Boy, you are going to learn how to be a man by all these women!” In addition, I am a competitive marathoner and recently competed in the Berlin Marathon, which is considered one of the 6 major marathons in the world.
Together we are stronger. Tell us something you like about being our client. I enjoy the commitment to providing excellent customer service across all the locations. I call OffiCenters the “Ritz Carlton” of dedicated and virtual offices. As important, I really appreciate the team effort to help each and every business grow, make connections and innovatively provide leading edge networking or business development events. And everyone does this with a smile, wonderful attitude and passion for making this a great environment for businesses.
If you could work anywhere under the sun, where would you choose? Turks and Caicos and Bora Bora would provide plenty of warmth and sunshine and Auckland, New Zealand would be a great work adventure as well.
How can people CONNECT with you? hherndon@hrhgc.com; +1.952.221.2023 or via our website at www.hrhglobalconnections.com
