Dennis Geelen

Coaching and mentoring to help you start and scale your one-person business.

Founder

Zero In

The mission of Zero In is to help as many businesses and leaders build a brand customers love and a company people are passionate to work for.  

So where do you need to focus (or Zero In)?
Solve the problem of INDIFFERENCE!

Indifferent customers have no compelling reason to purchase your product or service rather than your competitors' product or service. 

Indifferent employees are complacent because they are not passionate about coming to work each day.

Utilize the resources, books, and courses from Zero In to increase your customer retention, improve your customer experience, and build a passionate culture of innovation giving your team the ability to find new and better ways to serve your customers.

"Customers DO NOT buy your product or service, they buy what it can DO FOR THEM"
Customer-centricity means knowing your customers and giving them what they crave.  This helps you to build trust and loyalty, but also a solid reputation.  Loyal customers become fans of your brand and refer other customers to you.

"If you don't find new and better ways to serve your customers, SOMEONE ELSE WILL!"
Being Innovative brings new ideas, which is crucial to a business being able to find new and better ways to add value for your customers.  With innovation comes creative new products and services, increases in efficiency and, as a result, improved profitability.

BE THE BRAND CUSTOMERS LOVE AND THE COMPANY PEOPLE ARE PASSIONATE TO WORK FOR

Founder and Chief Difference Maker

The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group

About the Commonwell
We are committed to profitable growth, team development, ingenuity, while having fun at work.  We offer a complete range of insurance products including residential, automobile, commercial, farm and watercraft. We encourage a work-life balance and we are serious about what we do!

About my Role
As Manager of the PMO, I lead a group project managers and business analysts to implement the project management office from the ground up.

About the PMO
Projects at the Commonwell are measured against timelines, budget, delivery of scope, but most importantly the realization of the intended benefits of each project.  Over 85% of projects at the Commonwell were consistantly green throughout 2018.

Manager, Project and Portfolio Management Office

As Manager of Application Services, I am responsible for planning, coordinating and managing the activities of the Application Services team within the Information Systems (IS) Department. This includes leadership and development of the IS team members, as well as providing direction and support for IS solutions to meet the present and future needs of the organization.

Manager of Application Services

Kawartha Lakes Food Source

Kawartha Lakes Food Source is a community effort to reduce hunger in the City of Kawartha Lakes by:

1. Maintaining a central warehouse to supply food to organizations that provide food to individuals in need,
2. Raising public awareness, and
3. Working in concert with other local not-for-profit organizations.

Board Of Directors

Operitel Corporation (An OpenText Company) 

ABout OpenText
OpenText, The Information Company™, a market leader in Enterprise Information Management software and solutions, enables intelligent and connected enterprises by managing, leveraging, securing and gaining insight into enterprise information, on-premises or in the cloud. 

About my Role
Directed a team of PS and R&D resources to develop and implement the LearnFlex LMS platform for over 40 clients.

Director of R&D and Professional Services

TELUS

Manager - Payment Solutions Development and Support

Emergis - A Telus Company

Manager

Emergis Inc

Business Coach | Keynote Speaker | Author of The Happy Accidents newsletter and The Accidental Solopreneur book

What I Do
I help teams, organizations, and solopreneurs flourish by focusing on what really matters: people.

As a speaker, author, and consultant, I equip audiences with practical, human-centered strategies to thrive in uncertain times, build meaningful businesses, and create lasting impact.

Who I Work With
• Event organizers seeking keynote speakers on serendipity, growth, and personal transformation
• Businesses and nonprofits looking to create stronger cultures, customer experiences, and leadership teams
• Solopreneurs who want to design businesses that give them both income and freedom


What I’ve Created
• Author of The Zero In Formula and The Accidental Solopreneur (bestseller)
• Creator of top-rated online courses for solopreneurs and authors
• Host of the Happy Accidents podcast and newsletter
• Keynote talks including 'The Power of Serendipity', 'Start Before You’re Ready', and 'Rooted in Humans'


Want to Work Together?
Let’s talk if you’re looking for:
✅ A keynote speaker for your next event
✅ A workshop or webinar for your team
✅ A course to help you grow as a solopreneur or author


DM me if you’d like to connect about speaking, workshops, or collaborations.

Unilever

1. Demonstrating in-depth knowledge of Kwality Wall’s products, including flavors, ingredients, and promotions, to effectively educate and engage 500+ customers per week in Modern Trade (MT) stores.


2. Consistently exceeding weekly sales targets by 30-50% through persuasive sales techniques and strategic upselling, leading to a 20% increase in product sales within my assigned stores.


3. Conducting engaging in-store product sampling and promotional activities, resulting in a 35% boost in customer engagement and a 25% increase in conversion rates.


4. Establishing and maintaining strong relationships with store managers across 10+ outlets, ensuring prime product placement and a 15% increase in shelf visibility for Kwality Wall’s offerings.


5. Conducting market research by interacting with over 100+ customers weekly to understand their preferences and feedback, using insights to refine sales strategies and recommend improvements.


6. Preparing and presenting weekly sales reports with data-driven insights, helping management optimize promotional effectiveness and improve sales performance.


7. Collaborating closely with the marketing and sales team to develop and execute in-store activations, resulting in a 40% increase in footfall and engagement within key retail locations.


8. Addressing customer inquiries and resolving concerns efficiently, achieving a 90%+ customer satisfaction rate, enhancing the overall shopping experience, and strengthening brand loyalty.

Sales And Marketing Intern

Nuvama Wealth

Led a team in driving business growth by strategically pitching diverse financial instruments aimed at wealth protection, creation, and management. Focused on understanding client needs and recommending tailored financial solutions to enhance the time value of money and ensure long-term financial sustainability against inflation.

Relationship Management Trainee

GreenPepper

Facilitated partnerships between startup founders and the firm by engaging with them on a daily basis to understand their business models, challenges, and growth potential. Assisted in scaling their ventures through strategic recruitment, management consulting, and financial advisory support.

Marketing Intern

EduShala

Contributed to optimizing employee productivity by developing a performance tracking system and identifying strategies for improvement. Conducted research on pricing strategies and consumer behavior to support business decisions. Managed the CEO’s scheduling for key meetings and engagements while collaborating with the social media team to create targeted marketing strategies. Led recruitment efforts and implemented organic promotional techniques to drive consumer demand.

Assistant To Chief Executive Officer

I’m driven by the power of marketing and branding to shape perceptions, influence behavior, and build lasting connections between businesses and their audiences. My core strength lies in developing brand strategies that not only drive visibility but also deliver measurable impact across touchpoints,whether through digital platforms, retail spaces, or consumer experiences.

I enjoy translating insights into compelling narratives and positioning strategies that resonate in competitive markets. With a solid understanding of financial fundamentals, I ensure that creativity is always balanced with commercial viability.

Outside of branding, I’m deeply curious about economics, politics, history, and global affairs,domains that continuously shape how I view markets, consumers, and culture. This broader lens strengthens my ability to think long-term and contribute meaningfully to brand growth and innovation.

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Dennis Geelen

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