UPwords Inc - Heidi Frye

Heidi Frye, UPwords Inc. - Principal

A Note from the Founder
I was once asked about my approach, and it is really about taking a person from point A to point B, raising the bar, taking it to the next level… that’s what I love – advancing careers. Whether it be via recruiting, coaching, or workshops – for me, it’s about making an impact and improving lives. My sisters always say “you’re a perfectionist” when in actuality I’m not (seriously, I have proof!), I’m really about improvement, making myself better, helping people be better…process improvement…career advancement…making an impact. It is a passion of mine.

Anyone who knows me, knows my communication style is pretty direct. There are plenty of people out there who are quite passive about their feelings/thoughts/observations and say nothing (what a disservice to those with whom they interact!)…and then there are people who get aggressive and only share when they are angry and negative. Isn’t there a place in between? I’ve spent years working on finding the “spot in the middle” – a place where you can share your thoughts/feelings/observations in a productive way that is honest – honoring the other person by sharing insights that will move them forward. It’s having the courage to say something difficult for the greater good…in a way that respects the other person… in a way that honors who they are as a human being. Straight talk for advancing careers.

Heidi's Career Summary

Heidi has spent her career helping companies advance - by focusing on, and effecting, “upward” growth. She has directly been responsible for and achieved growth by exceeding sales targets, pioneering business units, and finding and securing top talent. Additionally, she has trained teams for high performance impact, mentored and coached key individuals, and motivated large groups.

Having spent over fourteen years in the fields of consulting & executive search, Heidi is dedicated to bringing her experience to companies who truly live by the concept of “our people are our most important asset” – companies committed to securing, developing, and advancing the best people. Understanding people, their blind spots, and having the courage to be real are Heidi’s strong suit.

Throughout her twenty+ year career, Heidi has learned and used best practices in sales, team building, training/workshops, and coaching & mentoring - having worked directly for, and achieved numerous performance awards in Fortune 500 companies: Xerox; Boston Scientific; and EMC. She has earned a reputation for integrity, “doing the right thing”, and “telling it like it is”, as well as delivering high-quality service and achieving results while keeping an eye on the bottom-line.

Heidi holds a degree in Business Administration from Wayne State University with a major in Marketing and a minor in German. Heidi is also a graduate of the Leadership University – School of Developmental Coaching, Coach2 and MLCS (Master Leadership Coaching System) ICF certified programs.

Heidi's Career Experience

Heidi began her career working for Xerox Corporation in the Metro Detroit area. After successfully building numerous sales territories and multiple President Club wins, she was recruited away to an, at the time, small medical device company, Boston Scientific Corporation (BSC).

At Boston Scientific Corporation, Heidi sold peripheral medical devices, taught sales training courses, mentored and developed new hires, and developed the "Trainer Development” program. While at BSC she won top positions in President's Club, Two Year Achievement Award, and Ring Club. Heidi was then asked to pioneer a new BSC division, Insurg - training new hires; instructing acclaimed surgeons on new procedural techniques; and launching and maintaining the Insurg National Physician Board relations and meetings.

After assisting in the national launch of Insurg, Heidi transitioned into executive recruiting for Sales Consultants, winning National Rookie of the Year (out of 300 candidates), five separate Pacesetter Trip wins, and Ring Club. She regularly consulted with business owners and top executives on hiring best-practices, incentive programs, and negotiation techniques while responsible for hiring, managing, and training for her own business segment.

Her success at Boston Scientific and Sales Consultants led her to be recruited by EMC, a Fortune 100 data storage company, and one of her largest clients, where she closed $3 million of new business in her first six months.

After two years at EMC, Heidi joined Leadership Capital Group, a people development organization, to pursue her ongoing interest in corporate development. As a partner at LCG she was focused on executive coaching, development programs, and marketing & business development. Her partnership in LCG however did not quench her desire to have her own business.

In March 2005 Heidi revived UPwords Inc., which she had incorporated in 2002, to leverage her diverse background partnering with companies to secure, develop and advance organizational talent through executive search, and professional development. Within UPwords Inc. she has achieved success in many areas including: acquiring the national Presentation Skills workshop contract for Pfizer Corporation; facilitating numerous leadership workshops focused on conflict resolution, team building, personality dynamics, and communication skills; and as a graduate of the Leadership University – School of Developmental Coaching, Coach2 and MLCS (Master Leadership Coaching System) ICF certified programs, coaching business leaders on a variety of leadership topics. In addition to Heidi’s commitment to developing top talent, she has also demonstrated commitment to securing top talent by conducting executive search assignments for key clients in the energy, medical, and manufacturing industries, resulting in positive, bottom-line organizational impact.