A sure sign of a true and successful salesperson is their work ethic, a busy schedule, and the size of their network.
Derrick Wilson, president and CEO of The Wilson Group, has a strong work ethic, keeps a busy schedule and possesses a robust network. His company follows eight core values. One of them is the Golden Rule. His philosophy is that The Wilson Group treats customers the way they would want to be treated.
A workflow solutions provider, The Wilson Group started in August 2012 with a focus on putting the customer’s needs first. In a five-year period, they have been listed as the fastest growing company by the Pittsburgh Business Times in 2015 and 2016, the best place to work in a medium-size business in 2016, and No. 5 on the 100 Best Places to Work ranking in 2015.
Serving as an exclusive genuine Sharp parts and supplies dealership since its inception has brought The Wilson Group recognition as a Sharp Platinum Level Service Provider and a Hyakuman Kai dealer in 2014 as well as a Sharp Dealer Excellence Award winner in 2013.
Wilson describes the company as a local minority-owned business with city, county and state certifications that markets a full line of workflow technology solutions for the creation, production, distribution and sharing of documents and information. The company offers a complete line of Sharp multi-function printer products that include Aquos Boards, monitors, and digital signage. EP Postage Equipment, print management services and digital imaging supplies. Their mission is to be the premier or elite Minority Business Enterprise certified provider of document workflow solutions in Western Pennsylvania. The goal will be achieved by delivering a consultative and synergistic approach toward analyzing, designing, implementing and managing solutions that will consistently streamline workflow processes, increase employee productivity and decrease hard and soft costs.
Utilizing a Host to Post Workflow Solutions method to assist their customers, The Wilson Workflow Assessment tool consists of analyzing, designing, implementing and managing. As a result, customers receive a wheelhouse of products and services inclusive of Aquos Boards (interactive presentation displays), an array of print services of any size, mailing solutions offering a complete line of postage meters, mailing systems and folder inserters. They also offer mailing, shipping and accounting software.
“We are a one stop shop,” Wilson said.
“The Wilson Group is a good company to work and to do business with,” described Horace Britton, president of CDI Printing. “After hearing Derrick make a presentation on his services at an Eastern Minority Supplier Diversity Council event, Blayre, my vice-president and daughter, and I knew working together would be a great fit.”
CDI handles The Wilson Group’s printing needs. Horace Britton also mentioned that his company has been utilizing the Aquos Board. “Derrick is a very astute businessman. I envision our companies building a strong working relationship.”
With clients like CDI Printing, Pittsburgh Public Schools, Rivers Casino, UPMC, PNC, local governments and non-profit organizations, Wilson and his staff use events like their upcoming Technology Showcase to demonstrate appreciation for their business. “We value their trust and belief in us to keep them on the leading edge of technology,” said Wilson. The upcoming event also provides a venue for them to display the different technologies and solutions they bring to the table. The fourth annual Technology Showcase will be held May 17 at Rivers Casino, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
A North Side native, Wilson started The Wilson Group as a three-person company and now has a staff of 43. The main office is located on the North Side and the warehouse on Ohio River Blvd. This summer, the main office and warehouse will relocate to RIDC Park on Route 28, complete with 10,000-square feet of office space and 30,000-square feet of warehouse space. This enables all employees to be placed in one centralized location.
Wilson is the former director of managed print services, regional sales manager, vice-president of new business development, and major account and vice-president of sales at AMCOM/Xerox. He started his career at ComDoc as an account executive and has held numerous positions during his steady rise in the corporate structure, including major account representative at Copyworld of Pittsburgh, sales manager at Business Alternatives and print management specialist at Global Solutions Group.
A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Economics and a minor in Psychology, he credits his father for the reason he chose sales as a career. “My father worked for Xerox for a long time as a sales rep. That’s what I saw and that’s what I knew. He was very successful. I said I want to do what he’s doing. I thought if he was successful I could be successful, too.”
Wilson’s brother also sells copy machines in California and his daughter, Deseia, is corporate trainer for The Wilson Group. Her responsibilities entail conducting all the key operator training for customers on new installations and ongoing training, and trains the sales representatives on equipment that’s used in demonstration settings.
Wilson attributes the success of The Wilson Group to five attributes: The grace, mercy and favor of God; The people that he has been fortunate enough to surround himself with at his company; Being local, independent and minority-owned; Utilizing a decentralized business model, and host to post workflow solution offerings.
Wilson’s favorite phrase, “Everyday I’m Hustlin,” keeps him going and believing that anything is possible.
“What you believe is what you become.”
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