TKG Team
Terri Kabachnick, CSP, CPBA, CPVA, CAIA
CEO And Founder
In 1984, Terri founded The Kabachnick Group and in over 20 years has had the honor and privilege to work with some of the world's most successful business leaders. She is one of retailing's most sought-after productivity specialists and as an international expert on "perfecting the human side of business", Terri is frequently quoted as an employee behavior expert and has been featured in such publications as USA Today, numerous Fairchild Publications, Chain Drug Review, as well as other trade and industry publications. Her articles on communication and employee behaviors and beliefs have become required reading at many top companies.
A frequent keynote speaker at industry, trade and company conferences, Terri's motivational and informative presentations educate managers and executives in the behaviors, beliefs, values, attributes and competencies necessary for top performance and productivity. Terri frequently tells audiences worldwide:" A business doesn't make people successful - people make a business successful."
She is one of only a few people worldwide to hold the following designations:
- CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) -awarded to fewer than seven percent of professional speakers
- CPBA (Certified Professional Behavior Analyst)
- CPVA (Certified Professional Values Analyst)
- CAIA (Certified Attribute Index Analyst)
Additionally, Terri serves as a coach and confidant to some of the world's most successful business leaders. She is the author of I Quit, But Forgot to Tell You and STAR Performer© New Techniques in Retail Selling audio training program.
Phil Kabachnick
CFO
After graduating from Hobart College with a BA degree in Economics, Phil joined the stock brokerage firm of Oppenheimer and Co. in New York. Soon after, he was persuaded to become a partner in a children's apparel venture and so began his long and fruitful career in retailing.
In 1961, Phil opened Fashion Post, Inc. - a 1200 square foot junior apparel store in Middletown, CT. He successfully grew this business into a 30,000 square foot women's specialty department store - named Kabachnick - which boasted a customer base from as far away as California. Phil's belief that his employees were greatly responsible for his success helped initiate, in the early 80's, a highly successful marketing campaign themed, "People Make The Difference". Today this phrase is one of the most widely used retail by-lines. When Phil decided to retire from retailing, the closing of Kabachnick became a major media event covered by all three major television networks.
Phil also founded and operated the New York Clothing Company - a unique concept discount retail business. In 1991, he joined The Kabachnick Group and today actively serves as its CFO.
Kathy Armstrong, MBA, CPBA, CPVA
Director of Communicatons and Client Services
Kathleen Armstrong has more than twenty years in the customer service industry and is respected for her innate ability to build strong customer and employee relationships. Her continual quest for personal and professional growth keeps her in tune with the ever changing work dynamic and the impact of the "engaged" employee on the profitability of the company. Kathy’s passion, enthusiasm and dedication compliment her success in coaching and mentoring talent at all levels.
Kathy has completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and a Master of Business Administration Degree. She also holds the designations of (Certified CPBA (Certified Professional Behavioral Analyst), CPVA (Certified Professional Values Analyst).
Kathy started her career in Upstate New York in customer service at Chase Pitkin Home and Garden Center during high school. Promoted there, she continued formal education and to develop a passion for working with people, engaging in many committees and activites at the college level. The variety of employment roles included management and human resources at Xerox Corporation in Rochester New York, Danka Office Imaging in Tampa, Florida, and Home Shopping Network in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Kathy has remained dedicated in her belief that employee retention is the foundation for customer retention.
Associations
• SHRM - Society for Human Resource Management
• AMA - American Mediation Association
• ABWA - American Business Womens Association
• Ladies Auxilary of Veterans of Foreign War
• Toastmasters International
Emily Crawford
Chief Results Officer
With more than 20 years of experience in talent management and organizational development, Emily Crawford has provided strategic counsel to many leading retailers. A co-designer of Engaged Leader Essentials, she guides organizations in the design and implementation of solutions for selection, retention, leadership development and performance. She is particularly successful in translating a client's vision for the human side of the business into executable plans that create results.
As chief learning officer for Saks, Incorporated, Crawford was responsible for increasing bench strength for key positions and improving performance through meaningful learning experiences. She created programs to positively impact the bottom line - sales growth, customer loyalty, associate/executive productivity and retention - while controlling expenses.
Emily has a BA & M.Ed in Education and Human Resources. She also holds the designations of CPLP (Certified Professional in Learning & Performance), CPBA (Certified Professional Behavioral Analyst), CPVA (Certified Professional Values Analyst), and CAIA (Certified Attribute Index Analyst). Her professional recognitions include a president's award for saving more than $5M in hiring and training expenses at a major retailer; a grant from the National Retail Federation Foundation to develop the Fundamentals of Retail Management; the 2006 Brandon Hall Excellence in Learning Award; the Bersin & Associates Learning Leaders Award for 2006; and a position as the current executive director for the Retail Talent Network.
Valerie Schon
Account Manager
Valerie joined The Kabachnick Group in December, 2006 and handles the payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable and all other accounting functions. She has extensive experience in all areas of accounting together with an Associate's Degree in Accounting.
Bill J. Bonnstetter, Ph.D. (Hon.)
Director
Bill J. Bonnstetter is the founder and chairman of Target Training International (TTI) and TTI Performance Systems, Ltd. Established in 1984, TTI develops and markets research-based, validated assessment products that are available in more than 50 countries and 26 languages.
Bonnstetter is considered one of the pioneers in the assessment industry with his significant contributions through research and the study of behaviors. Bonnstetter was the first to computerize the DISC assessment, making reports available via the patented Internet Delivery Service™ (IDS). He was also the first to produce a computerized values assessment based on Spranger's model. He received a patent for developing personalized reports integrating values and behaviors, as well as a patent on TTI's job benchmarking process. Bonnstetter's assessments are made available through more than 30 software and training programs used by over 5 million people worldwide. He is the author of What I Know Now, and has co-authored several books and articles, including Building High Performing Teams, Behavioral Selling Skills, Energizing the Organization, Dynamic Customer Satisfaction, Sales Strategy Index and The Universal Language DISC, A Reference Manual.
Bonnstetter's passion for helping others is what started his journey of achievements. As an Iowa salesman, his research on farmers' buying styles and the appearance of their farmstead supported the development of the Buyer Profile Blending system, designed to help salesmen understand their customers. That same passion and understanding of behavior led Bonnstetter to create the assessments that help millions with personal and professional growth.
Bonnstetter sets his company apart with continual research on behaviors, analyzing the low side of graphs in addition to the high side. He has drawn correlations on behaviors of salespeople in the US and Germany, the behaviors, values and personal skills of financial planners, and the Task Quotient of the workforce. Bonnstetter has also completed validity studies of his assessments, receiving the highest validity on the market.
Bonnstetter received an honorary Doctor of Philosophy Degree in 2007 from TTI University for his contributions in the area of personal and professional development and talent management. In 1969, Bonnstetter obtained his master's degree in business education, preceded by his bachelor's degree in business with an emphasis in marketing in 1964, both from the University of Northern Iowa. He also taught business classes and served as a college administrator in Iowa for five years.
Bonnstetter is a Certified Professional Consultant to Management (CPCM). He is a member in good standing at the Robert S. Hartman Institute in Knoxville, Tenn., and is on the Scottsdale Business Bank, N.A. Board of Directors in Ariz.
Bonnstetter has spread his generosity through many community service efforts. Through his church involvement, Bonnstetter financially supported the education of four students in Mexico. In addition, TTI donates over $1 million in assessments each year. In 2006, Bonnstetter began the Bonnstetter Family Foundation with a pledge of $1 million over the next ten years. In addition, Bonnstetter is leading revitalization efforts in his hometown of Corwith, Iowa. He currently owns five buildings; one is now the Community Center, four are reserved for assisting entrepreneurs. Bonnstetter's efforts are supporting his vision to revitalize the town with an entrepreneurial spirit. He has also contributed to the new City Hall and donated books and technology to the library.
Bonnstetter enjoys spending time with his wife, Karen, their four children and three grandchildren. He also enjoys restoring antique tractors, traveling the world and is an avid Phoenix Suns fan.