2023 Top Consultants: Ken Stone

Ken Stone is a highly experienced and successful executive with expertise in sales, marketing, business development, channel distribution, finance and general management. He has a track record of developing and executing new strategic partnerships and go-to-market initiatives from concept to completion. Ken is a transparent and persuasive communicator, focused on operating with honesty and integrity at the "speed of trust."

Ken has proven his ability to recruit, mentor and develop talent, leading both large and small teams while collaborating with stakeholders. His core competencies include client relationship management, new business development, product launch, key performance measurement and management, vendor and contract management, leadership, field and channel marketing, project management and sales.

Throughout his career, Ken has been recognized for his ability to drive revenue growth, increase profitability and expand market share. He is a results-driven executive who fosters a positive work environment of innovation, teamwork and continuous improvement. Ken has worked across several industries including technology, financial services and consumer products, earning the respect of his peers.

His expertise and leadership have resulted in his reputation as a high-energy, effective, and collaborative executive with a passion for building and growing businesses.

What has motivated you to excel over the course of your career?

Succinctly – my family. I was very fortunate to have a loving set of parents and grandparents who instilled foundational values, love, humor and adventure (I once pet a white rhino in Africa and swam with sea lions in the Galapagos Islands!).

I believe no one is a 10 in everything and everyone is a 10 in something. Trying to identify everyone's "10" and collaborating so the team is a 10 in almost everything is a critical success factor.

What has been the biggest factor in your success so far?

I was influenced by motivational speaker and author Don Yaeger and had the occasion to spend some time with him. He once analyzed the 16 key characteristics of greatness among elite athletes and coaches (https://donyaeger.com/characteristics-of-greatness/). It was an easy read but had a profound impact on my life by capturing key tenets that emphasized self-awareness, giving and humility. It also helped me view situations through a new lens. For example, instead of focusing on the negative of an adverse situation, the theme was to consider adversity as fuel – to propel success or simply focus on the new opportunity presented by the stimulus – which often led to vastly superior outcomes!

What do you enjoy most about your career in the consulting industry?

There is a cliché about "variety is the spice of life," and that applies to consulting. We are fortunate to witness and participate in global best practices across a plethora of functions. We work to research, plan, develop, execute, and measure myriad projects from new "white space" innovations to making atomic improvements to mature activities. Our clients and stakeholders also present a wide variety of perspectives, personalities and provide fascinating learning opportunities. I am also passionate about anticipating upcoming client needs and adding value by offloading their work as much as possible.

I am also humbled and thrilled to work at Bridge Partners. Our company culture is not just a sound bite – we truly live our values and walk the talk on topics like diversity, equity, inclusion, sustainability and integrity, among others. I am honored to have worked with many professionals and find it profoundly rewarding to see interns and early-in-career teammates truly spread their wings and blossom.

What is your proudest achievement to date?

My proudest achievement is to have persevered after I became the primary parent of three wonderful boys for over 14 years. I am intensely gratified to have balanced the incredible demands of working and growing a successful career in our industry, while often serving as both mom and dad for school meetings, extra-curriculars, homework, emotional support, meals, story time, etc. I was fearful of the potentially devastating impact divorce could have on my relationships with my kids as a working parent. I was surprised to find it often DEEPENED my relationship with my sons. While my sons will be the first to point out my imperfections, of which I fess up to possessing many, I feel raising them to be good humans is my greatest accomplishment.

What's the best advice you've ever been given?

Surprisingly, I am a planner by nature. I once laid out my long-range plan and carefully identified the career steps and goals I hoped to achieve. While I was fortunate to achieve those milestones, I also learned there are times to maximize flexibility and walk through whichever door or window presents itself. During those more malleable times, I was once advised to assess whether each decision will help me collect new skills, achieve financial goals or simply be fun – and if you can get more than one of the three, grab it!

I hung the Man In the Mirror poem, by Dale Wimbrow, by my front door so my sons would see it each day. While it is an old poem, it still serves as a good litmus test to ensure one's actions align with one's values.

What does this recognition mean to you?

Being nominated by my company and being fortunate enough to be in the conversation with such talented professionals was an unexpected honor. Receiving the award would be deeply moving as a testament that I did in fact balance parenting responsibilities and an upper-echelon career. In the spirit of transparency, there have been times in my life when I felt I made the right decision but did not get the intended or desired result. In some way, the award acknowledges facing adversity head-on and thriving – not just surviving. And in a humorous vein, it would be apropos to show my children that I "got a gold star!"