Former Herman Miller Manager Brings 20+ Years in Sales Strategy, Management, Training Experience
Grand Rapids, Michigan, Dec. 31, 2019 – The Vantage Group® announced Missy Jackson has joined the firm as a managing partner.
Jackson brings more than 20 years of expertise in business development and sales, strategic planning, management and training to her new role for the Grand Rapids-based business consultancy. As a managing partner, Jackson will serve as a business coach and consultant, working directly with clients on leadership development, sales, talent acquisition and retention, strategic planning and teamwork training. She is certified in all the assessments used by The Vantage Group, including the DISC leadership assessment, and will be key in managing overall operations and growth.
“We are pleased to add someone with such an impressive background as Missy’s to our team,” said founder and President Darrell Crawford. “She brings tremendous energy and work ethic, along with values that align with our own. Her passion for continuous improvement and ability to build meaningful business relationships makes her a unique, multidimensional member to grow our team.
“The Vantage Group is poised for continued growth. I am pleased Missy is joining us at this exciting time to help us strengthen our position in the market.”
Jackson comes to The Vantage Group from Herman Miller, where she worked as the lead strategist overseeing the sales enablement and strategic selling programs, as well as the pioneer sales performance systems manager for the globally recognized provider of furnishings and related technologies and services. At Herman Miller, she created leadership and development processes and training systems, led cross-functional teams on continuous improvement journeys and collaborated with senior leadership on formulating incentive and growth strategies. She also served as board chair of Health and Well-Being for the Herman Miller Cares Foundation.
An entrepreneur herself, Jackson was the co-founder and owner of Bean by Bean, a direct trade coffee business that sourced its product from small-scale farmers in Central America. In this role, she was responsible for supply chain management, marketing, packaging, inventory, licensing, accreditations, importing and financials. She also spent a decade in the commercial and residential construction industry, serving in business development, sales and project management.
“The Vantage Group has a proven track record for developing successful business practices and upstanding values which drove my decision to join the company,” Jackson said. “I look forward to serving our clients as we continue to help organizations move as a cohesive team toward meaningful results.”
In addition to her volunteer experience with the Herman Miller Cares Foundation, Jackson is currently a board member for Grand Rapids HQ and Affinity Mentoring. She also spent four years as a mentor and youth leader for Grand Rapids Urban Young Life. Jackson earned her bachelor’s degree in social work from Calvin College. She resides in Jenison with her husband, and their four children.
For the past quarter-century, The Vantage Group has helped more than 150 businesses in the United States and Europe with leadership team development, strategic planning, teamwork training and talent recruitment. Clients have benefited by saving time, reducing costs and becoming more competitive in today’s business climate.