Closer Consulting
Closer Consulting was founded June 1986 by Hunter Byington - in response to the across-industry need for a proven, easy-to-implement method to recruit, screen and develop high-performing sales professionals.

Today Closer continues to deliver the same experience, services and products to clients and customers across Canada and the United States.  We provide unique and effective Assessment, Recruiting and Developmental solutions that deliver Sales and Marketing results that flow to your bottom line.

Hunter Byington
Closer Consulting was started after founder Hunter Byington recognized a glaring deficiency in the skill set and training level of sales professionals in all industries. In response to this situation, we developed uniquely effective sales consulting programs, one which combines an extensive salesperson recruiting and pre-hire profile analysis, with thorough current sales staff evaluation and customized sales and sales management training.

After 9 years with one of the country's most successful marketing and publishing companies, 13-30 Corporation (later called Whittle Communications, a $200 million concern), Hunter Byington formed an alliance with David Sandler. From 1986 through 1994, BDG trained 1000's of sales people in the Sandler System, introducing them and their companies to sales success through on-going reinforcement and through one of the decade's most unique and effective approaches to selling.

Since 1994, Closer Consulting has worked with Sandler affiliates and other sales training companies to coordinate the sales training needed to improve performance. At the same time, Closer Consulting has focused on improving the sales management and hiring of sales people for our clients.

In 1993, working with David Kurlan, we were responsible for the creation of the first sales person screening program offered by Objective Management, to identify and qualify sales people in the interview process. This program is now the only effective Internet sales candidate screening program available.

Over the years, we have worked with in such diverse industries as computer consulting, corporate security, medical, printing, distribution and leasing. Our clients have ranged from computer consulting firms such as VMI of New York, Vision Inc. of Oak Brook, IL, regional offices of CAP Gemini and Keene as well as DBMS and Daugherty Systems of St. Louis. Our diversity in clients is reflected in our working with such firms as corporate design firm Herbst Lazar Bell of Chicago to Finn & Conway, mechanical parts distributor to Artisan for Hire, a New York and Chicago freelance and rep firm to Communitech of Elk Grove Village, IL, a national sales firm for the top phone headset manufacturers. They all have one thing in common - the desire to improve every aspect of the sales process from hiring to on-going training.

This uncommon combination of assessing sales people and sales managers prior to training coupled with identifying quality sales candidates has put our clients in a strong position to effectively compete in the marketplace with an effective, well trained sales team.

Blair Seward
Blair brings over 30 years of Sales, Sales Management and Senior Leadership experience to his role of President - Closer Consulting Group in Canada.  His corporate experience spans over 20 years with GBC Canada Inc. and ACCO Brands Corp.  Blair’s experience offers a unique view of sales success in both the b2b and retail space.   As well he held a variety of Sales, and Sales Management roles for companies such as the upscale Woodward’s Department Store and the electronic retailer Richardson’s, leading them to sales success on both sides of the business – retail and b2b.

As a successful senior sales and management leader,  he has executed and delivered uncommon results consistently.

• Results:
• Delivered double digit CAGR in operating income producing 16 to 18% ROS effectively doubling the business. 
• Implemented account planning process that delivered increased customer share and equity. 
• Developed and executed training programs and sales compensation models to meet the ever changing business needs
• Voice of The Customer:
• Re-engineered go to market strategy to more effectively bring ideas and solutions to customers quickly, effectively and efficiently. 
• Built relationships with Key and Strategic customers that resulted in gaining share through personal contribution, coaching stakeholders and nurturing relationships.
• Change Management: 
• Led the transition into a multinational corporation.

Blair brings a perspective from management to sales, the hard decisions, to the hard sales, consistently putting the customer first, sales and profit second.  He is the kind of corporate advisor who understands key aspects of business from marketing to sales, management to execution, people to results.