Cemetery & Funeral Professionals:

Gary O'Sullivan, CCFE, Knows Your Profession!

Whether you sell pre-need, manage those who do, or lead a cemetery, funeral home, or combination business — the challenges you face every day are different than those in any other type of business.

I know the Cemetery & Funeral profession.

In 1971, right out of high school at the age of 18, I started selling cemetery property door-to-door. Since then — in a career spanning nearly five decades — I have served the profession in many capacities. From being a sales manager, regional manager, and Senior VP of Sales for a public company, to being responsible for helping companies design and drive their desired culture.

Whenever I work with members of the Cemetery & Funeral profession — delivering keynotes, consulting for companies, providing one-on-one coaching for leaders, providing training in seminars and workshops — the principles and techniques I share are shaped by the prism that is my experience in the profession.

Meet Gary

I am a senior-level executive with proven success in strategic planning, development, management and leadership of operational initiatives in sales and marketing. An accomplished platform speaker, teacher and motivator. I have a unique way of creating synergistic alignment of personal and corporate values and personal accountability.

GO Virtual!

Sometimes it's difficult or costly to schedule live engagements. Using your choice of no– or low-cost technology platforms, you and your staff can have a live experience, virtually anywhere! All that's needed is an internet connection and a connected devise – whether it's a smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop, smart TV or big screen!

Read about GOing Virtual

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The store offers a variety of products to help you build your business. Whether it's books, audio, video or e-books you're looking for. It's here.

The Culture You Create—Or Allow—Will Make or Break You

Here’s the truth: every company has a culture. Whether you’ve built it intentionally—or it’s just happened—there’s a culture in place. Your company’s culture is created either by design or default. When a company clearly defines its values and beliefs, it sets the standard for what behaviors are expected. Values guide decisions, shape interactions, and unify teams around a shared purpose. Culture is always at work, even when you can’t see it. Because in the end, culture is an invisible force, only seen in behavior.Read

Check this I.D. When Interviewing Candidates

When interviewing a prospective hire, be sure and check his or her I.D. No, this video is NOT about asking for a candidate's driver's license, social security card, or college transcript. It's about determining the CHARACTER of the person. In this video, I'll tell you what the "I" and "D" stand for and why they are independent and interdependent. I'll also explain the dangers of having the wrong balance of "I" and "D".Watch

3 things you must be if you want to succeed in sales

Have you ever wondered why some people do better in sales than others? What I've learned over the course of nearly 5 decades in direct sales is that there are three things salespeople must be if they want to have consistent or above-average sales. In this short video, I'll explain these three things and their impact on your ability to have more control over your future in direct sales.Watch

Don't take our word for it...

Michael J. Watkins

I have been privileged to call Gary my colleague and friend since 1985. His passion for our profession, ethical sales practices, employee education and the development of positive company culture is inspiring. His principle of “Service Selling” has served as… Read the full testimonial “Michael J. Watkins”

Michael J. Watkins, CFSP, CCO

Vice President, Operations & Compliance

The Signature Group

Janet Rosman

Gary truly gets to know our business as his own which helps make him a true inspiration.

Janet Rosman

Sales and Marketing Manager

Quiet Places

Marla J. Noel

Gary O’Sullivan is the consummate professional…. I have a vision of Fairhaven being so superior in customer service… The process has been a challenge… Gary understood, and helped to improve the process. We have enjoyed working with Gary, although he… Read the full testimonial “Marla J. Noel”

Marla J. Noel

Former President

Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary

Linda Budzinski

There are very few “sure things” when it comes to planning a conference, but having Gary O’Sullivan on the program takes the guesswork out of our keynote. He always comes through. From his pre-conference preparation, to his message, to his… Read the full testimonial “Linda Budzinski”

Linda Budzinski

Former Director of Communications and Membership Services

International Trade Association

Richard F. “Dick” Perl

Nobody but nobody does it better than Gary O’Sullivan. As a platform speaker and trainer myself, I am very critical of those who do this for a living. Without a doubt Mr. O is the BEST of the BEST. When… Read the full testimonial “Richard F. “Dick” Perl”

Richard F. “Dick” Perl

Past President

Southern Cemetery and Funeral Association

Rick Hulkenberg

I have heard a lot of theory and ideas. I can say without reservation that Gary O’Sullivan knows how to reach the sales person on the street. I’ve watched Gary, and it’s quite clear that he is in the business… Read the full testimonial “Rick Hulkenberg”

Rick Hulkenberg

President

Didasko Communication, LLC

Read more testimonials

The Three Cs of Effective Leadership

There are many things people need from their leaders, but there are three foundational principles that determine leadership effectiveness. This keynote presentation helps leaders put those principles to work.

The New Language of Sales

This keynote presentation will help you learn how language forms the culture of your sales organization and will challenge you to change the sales language you use to get the results you want.

The Power to Prospect

This keynote presentation helps salespeople avoid the destructive emotions that can cloud their thinking, disrupt their routines, and weaken their motivation.