Sharon Watkins is the CEO of RadiusPoint a 27- year-old telecom and utility expense management firm. Sharon founded the company in 1992 and manages the sales and marketing aspects of the company. She has been instrumental in working with the software development team to create ExpenseLogic, the telecom and utility expense management software that has less than ten competitors worldwide.
From Sharon’s experience with clients, the software developed into the tool that can satisfy the needs of any organization that has multiple sites and numerous employees to manage. Sharon has successfully signed and retained Clients ranging from Fortune 50 to small local County governments.
RadiusPoint and the employees stand apart from competitors by achieving ISO 9001 standards in September of 2002. RadiusPoint is SSAE 18 (formerly SAS 70) certified and continues this certification with an annual audit. RadiusPoint also was awarded a GSA contract vehicle in 2018 for Schedule 70 IT services.
RadiusPoint, formerly TSG Enterprises, LLC, won the prestigious Top 50 Minority/Women Owned Businesses in Tennessee and was named a Top 100 Fastest Growing Companies by Fast Company Magazine. Sharon received the 2006 Enterprising Women of the Year award, and RadiusPoint was named one of Inc 5000 fastest-growing companies in 2015. The Orlando Business Journal named Sharon Business Owner of the Year in 2015 and CEO of the Year in 2019. Sharon has been a Premium Member of CEO Connection since September 2018.
Interview:
CEOC: What recent success are you most proud of?
SW: There are a
few recent successful milestones that I have accomplished at RadiusPoint.
First, we celebrated 27 years in business in January of this year. That’s
phenomenal for our industry. Second, we were awarded the GSA Schedule 70 IT
Contract vehicle which is a government contract award that is very hard to
achieve. We actually achieved this in record time—5 months. The GSA told
us that it would take over a year to get this award if we were awarded. Third,
we just rolled out our eighth generation of ExpenseLogic, our proprietary
software which continues to aid in client retention.
CEOC:What action did you take early in your career that you
feel most helped you obtain your CEO position you hold today?
SW: Vision in
1996 to create a software that did not exist for an industry that was just
starting to emerge, Telecom and Utility Expense Management.
COEC: How do you start each day?
SW: Exercise, I
like to go to the gym for a few minutes of peace and quiet on the elliptical
machine. I love to clear my mind so that I can better focus on any tasks
that emerge throughout the day.
CEOC: What do you foresee will be the biggest
challenge to CEOs of mid-market companies in the next five years?
SW: Keeping
up with the constant changes in technology and retaining exceptional talent.
CEOC: How do you keep your company in front of trends, customer needs, and your competitors? SW: Research, research, research. You have to be able to cut through the mountains of information to identify what is truly going to retain your clients and keep them satisfied.
This article was previously published in the CEOC Magazine. You can read the magazine here.
Earlier this year, CEO Connection made an exciting announcement regarding an advisory service for health care developed exclusively for our members. Powered by PinnacleCare, employees can now confidently navigate the complexity of the healthcare system and obtain the world’s most advanced care.
How does it work?
In addition to giving employees peace of mind, this program is designed to keep and attract the best talent. When CEO Connection member employees are faced with a serious health challenge, experts from CEO Connection’s Healthcare Management Program powered by PinnacleCare guide them through the complexities of the healthcare system. From gathering medical records to scheduling appointments, advisors help employees make informed decisions that lead to better health outcomes.
We work with top-ranked medical centers and specialists across the country.
Knowing where to go for healthcare, how to get in fast, and understanding all treatment options reduces costs and save lives.
Doug Robinson
“I wholeheartedly stand behind the recommendation to offer this service to CEO Connection member companies,” said Doug Robinson, Chair, CEO Connection Healthcare Committee. “Done right, the ROI will be significant on both the claims expense front, as well as the employee/dependent’s peace of mind front.”
Being a CEO can be incredibly lonely — but it does not have to be. More than a decade ago, CEO Connection launched the exclusive CEO Boot Camp to spark relationships through meaningful discussions with those facing similar challenges.
If you are a CEO of a company with between $100 million and $3 billion in annual revenue, then here is why CEO Boot Camps offer you unique and invaluable experiences.
4 Reasons to Attend a CEO Boot Camp
Kept small for big results
With a maximum of 12 CEOs in a room, CEO Boot Camps offer in-depth discussions with your fellow CEOs. In this intimate setting, you can comfortably share your experiences, concerns, and exchange advice. The relationships made at a CEO Boot Camp are lasting.
2. A break from the boring
This is not a selling event. Nor will you will be held hostage by tedious lecturers. CEO Boot Camps are interactive and consist of real conversations. You will also have the opportunity to join round-table discussions led by functional experts.
3. Off the record
What is said at a CEO Boot Camp, stays at a CEO Boot Camp. We ensure no competitors are in the room. Further, all attendees are required to sign a non-disclosure agreement in order to keep the conversations candid and authentic.
4. Walk away with next steps
By the time you leave a CEO Boot Camp, you will be armed with new ideas and actionable items. The results are tangible. This is an event centered around CEOs, helping CEOs to scale.
In conclusion
CEO Boot Camps are invitation-only meetings reserved exclusively for CEOs of companies with between $100 million and $3 billion in revenue. Only 48 CEOs from around the world get to attend a boot camp in the U.S. each year, so seats fill up fast and far in advance. As such, it is best to book your seat now for 2019.
Serving on a board can be one of the most rewarding experiences of a career. As a board member you get an inside look into how another company operates. You also have the opportunity to experience other viewpoints from talented individuals, and to discover ideas you can take back to your business.
Given the benefits, it should come as no surprise that many well-qualified leaders seek a board position. So how do you differentiate yourself? Below we’ll take a look at 5 ways to strengthen your board search, and how to best position yourself for success.
1. Start with a startup or private board as your first step. Experience is a key component for joining a board, especially for public companies. Get that experience by finding a small company, startup, or community organization and learn how you can participate. Do not hide the fact you are seeking to gain experience and be honest about your timeline.
2. Personal branding is essential. Identify your values and skill set to find the company that best compliments your background. What are you known for and how would that benefit a particular board? Are you a marketing expert? Financial genius? Technology wiz? A board is a team effort, so determine where you can make the most contributions. After you discover what makes you valuable, then seek out new ways to grow those skills within your current organization.
3. Use your network. Personal connections are crucial to finding the right board seat for you. Make it known that you are interested in a public or private board seat. Make a list of the top relationships you have with high-ranking executives, and reach out to them for introductions to their CEOs or board members. Also, take advantage of events such as the CEO Connection Mid-Market Convention to foster valuable contacts.
4. Stay top-of-mind with recruiters. Make sure to maintain relationships with search firms. Although directly asking search organizations outright about specific boardroom opportunities is discouraged, recruiters will come to you when they are aware of your interest and your background is a good match for a particular board seat.
5. Use a professional organization. Many professional organizations, such as CEO Connection offer board director networking services. Consider participating in a CEO Connection “How to get on a Board Workshop” which is designed to provide tactical information and a plan on how to actively define, pursue, and get on your next board and how to add value once you are there.
“Finding a board seat is not the same as looking for your next job post,” explains Board Connection Director, Kate Donnelly. “You need a personal action plan to define, pursue and acquire your board seat, as well as to ensure you add value once you’re there.”
About the CEOC Board Connection Program
The Board Connection Program is for members interested in serving on corporate boards, corporate advisory boards, or not-for-profit boards. This exclusive program helps our CEOs most effectively position themselves as desirable board candidates and provides exclusive resources to search for a board seat.
Participating CEOs have access to one-on-one support, intensive hands-on workshops, and mid-market community exposure.
