The Brookside Group, LLC

Overview, Clients, Leadership and Affiliations

We Welcome the Opportunity to Help You
Build New Channels, Generate New Sales and Enter New Markets

Overview
Founded in 1993, The Brookside Group, LLC is a consulting and market research firm that provides three highly specialized services designed to drive new business and new market opportunities for telecommunications and information technology companies.

Consultant Channel Programs – Generate new sales opportunities and expand current channel programs through the influence and recommendations of telecommunications and information technology consultants
Competitive/Market Intelligence – Identify new market opportunities (and threats) by more effectively monitoring and better understanding key forces in your external environment – new competitors, emerging technologies, new channels to market, etc
Enhanced Focus Groups and Qualitative Market Research – Develop the market insights and unique selling propositions that set you apart from your competitors, help you position your products and services closer to the “Ideal” (as defined by your customers), and uncover potential new product/market/customer opportunities

Clients
Our clients are exclusive to the telecommunications and information technology industries and include large, second tier and start-up compaines.

Communications and network equipment vendors
Information technology/computer/software vendors
Network service providers – wireline and wireless
Distributors and VARs

Leadership
The Brookside Group staffs seasoned marketing, telecommunications and consulting professionals. Collectively, the firm's staff has compiled more than 100 years of telecommunications, marketing, channel, and business development experience.

We are:

Michael (Mick) Sawka, Founding Partner
- More than 20 years in telecommunications/information technology
- Senior management positions at AT&T, A.T. Kearney, and Johnson & Johnson
- Notable expertise and accomplishments in new business development, marketing, brand management and sales channels
- Member and conference speaker at the Society of Telecommunications Consultants
Larry Lisser, Affiliate Partner, Channel Development
- 15 years of sales, marketing and business development leadership experience in communication technology
- Deep understanding of distribution strategy
- Implemented channel models that have succeeded in markets ranging from small business through to large enterprise
Dave Laughland, Affiliate Partner, Business Development
- More than 30 years in telecommunications
- Senior management positions at AT&T, Lucent and The InTech Group
- Board member of several high tech start ups and advisor to several investment banks
- Notable expertise and accomplishments in global expansion, distribution channels, business acquisitions and new market penetration
Kenneth Sawka, Affiliate Partner, Competitive Intelligence
- A competitive intelligence, early warning system, and strategy development expert
- Has developed competitive intelligence programs with numerous Fortune 500 companies
- Past positions at Deloitte Consulting, Fuld & Co., The Futures Group, and the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency
- A member of the Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals (SCIP) and served on its Board of Directors from 1999—2002
Paul Richards, Affiliate Partner, Market Research
- More than 25 years of market research, focus group moderation, advertising and brand management experience across multiple industries, including telecommunications and technology
- Senior management positions at AT&T, Nestle Corp. and BBDO Advertising
- Notable expertise and experience in developing, introducing and managing new products and services

Affiliations and Associations

The Brookside Group is a long standing member of The Society of Telecommunications Consultants (STC) - the largest organization of independent telecommunications consultants in North America. The STC's mission is to provide its members additional education, industry networking/recognition and new tools to help build and expand their businesses.

The Brookside Group is a long standing member of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) - the leading U.S. non-profit trade association serving the communications and information technology industry. The TIA represents providers of communications and information technology products and services for the global marketplace through its core competencies in standards development, domestic and international advocacy, as well as market development and trade promotion programs.

1-973-543-6765