Company: iolo technologies, LLC
Company Description: Crowned the Fastest-Growing Company in the United States for 2009 by the American Business Awards, iolo technologies (www.iolo.com) produces award-winning software that repairs, optimizes, and protects Windows computers. A privately held firm founded in 1998 and headquartered in Los Angeles, iolo has presence in 14 countries and more than 23 million users worldwide.
Nomination Category: Individual Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Employee of the Year

Nomination Title: Katharine Coble, Director of Channel Sales

Describe for the judges the activities and accomplishments of the nominated entrepreneur since the beginning of July last year (up to 500 words):

With more than 25 years of computer software retail experience, Katharine Coble manages the office supply and wholesale club channel, and key U.S. retailers and etailers, for iolo technologies, LLC (www.iolo.com), a 14-year-old, privately-held PC tune-up company with more than 40 million users and presence in 18,000 stores worldwide. This includes driving revenue, growth and maintaining partner relations.

Named bronze winner in Sales Director of the Year category by Stevie Awards for Sales and Customer Service in 2012, as well as finalist for Sales Director of the Year by Stevie Awards for Sales and Customer Service and finalist for Employee of the Year by Stevie Awards for Women in 2011, Ms. Coble has achieved the following successes:

1) Increased market share: Maintained iolo’s market share in the system utility category in the U.S. at 85%, having previously increased it from 66% to 85%, as measured by NPD. This dramatic market share increase was achieved by Ms. Coble’s effective work in maintaining relations with retailers and tag-teaming with distributors, and her skillful efforts at driving revenue and growth through creative and innovative promotional retail campaigns, positive net bookings, extensive ROI analysis, and detailed quarterly business reviews.

2)Increased revenue: In addition to growing overall market share of the PC performance software category, Katharine Coble also led iolo to some of the highest sales growth percentages in history. She has achieved six years of record growth with Buy.com, iolo’s #1 internet reseller. Record profitability was also achieved with Staples, iolo’s #4 retail account, by reducing marketing expenses by 25% and increasing unit sell-through by 800%, and with Tiger Direct, where revenue increased by 227% and OfficeDepot.com, where revenue grew by 729%.

3) New product launches: Katharine Coble successfully launched iolo’s newest product System Mechanic PC TotalCare, which immediately showed impressive sell-through numbers and became another key source of revenue.

4) Key account growth: With effective management, successful relationships and innovative initiatives, Katharine Coble consistently grew all key accounts. Under her management, year-over-year unit sales in Wal-Mart, iolo’s largest retail account, grew by an impressive 55% in Jan, 95% in Feb and 120% in March 2011, with revenue increases of 25%, 47% and 64%, respectively. Amazon.com sales grew by 28%, Meijer by 62%, Newegg.com by 69% and PC Treasures by 54%.

5)Strategic relationships: Thanks to Katharine Coble’s strong relationship with Office Depot, iolo earned one of the limited and highly coveted spots in their nationwide tax software TV ad campaign – for free. Ms. Coble also expanded System Mechanic to Tiger Direct Tech Bench.

6)Environmental work: Throughout the phenomenal sales growth, Katharine Coble remains focused on actively advocating environmentally responsible campaigns. She supported Clean Out Your PC Day in February, an important ‘green’ holiday, with articles and promotions with Buy.com, Office Depot, Office Max, and Tiger Direct. Her software donations to non-profit materials reuse organizations complimented retail sales and increased awareness of iolo’s products.

Katharine Coble is already charting out even more impressive growth and developments in 2012.

Provide a brief biography of the nominated employee (up to 100 words):

As director of channel sales at iolo technologies, a 14-year-old PC tune-up company with more than 40 million users worldwide, Katharine Coble manages all office supply and warehouse club accounts and key U.S. retailers and e-tailers, in a two-tier distribution model.

Katharine Coble started her career in 1984 at DP Enterprises and spent the next 20 years working in the retail divisions of various utility software companies, such as CyberMedia and Ontrack International, including a few years as president of her own manufacturer’s representative company, Vantage Technology Sources.

Born in Winter Park, FL, Katharine Coble holds a BA in Psychology from Furman University, Greenville, SC and has completed extensive MBA coursework at Northeastern University, Boston, MA.