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    BPI Expert Faculty

    Andy Atkins

    Senior Vice President, Research & Innovative Practices

    Best Practice Institute

    Key Takeaways

    • 1.Atkins is recognized for his expertise in leadership and organizational development to create high-performance work environments.
    • 2.He has a proven history of scaling technology service companies from startup to successful acquisition.
    • 3.His research and practice emphasize the critical link between trust-based leadership, collaboration, and business performance.
    • 4.Atkins has held CEO positions at two technology services companies and founded the Salesforce Ventures-backed firm, CRM manager.

    About Andy

    Who is Andy Atkins?

    Andy Atkins is a Senior Vice President of Research & Innovative Practices at the Best Practice Institute (BPI). With over 30 years of experience in management and innovation, he is dedicated to helping organizations achieve high performance through effective leadership, strategic growth, and cultivated trust. His career highlights include leading technology services companies from startup to successful acquisition and advising major corporations on various aspects of organizational development.

    At BPI, Atkins leverages his extensive background to drive research into critical areas such as trust in the workplace, leadership effectiveness, and collaborative strategies for business success. He plays a key role in developing and disseminating best practices that empower leaders and transform organizations.

    What is Andy Atkins known for?

    Andy Atkins is widely recognized for his expertise in leadership and organizational development, particularly his focus on fostering high-performance environments through trust, strong leadership, and expert collaboration. He has a proven track record of scaling businesses and building high-caliber teams, an experience reflected in his work with numerous marquee clients.

    His contributions extend to strategic human resource management and change management, where he helps organizations navigate complex transitions and optimize their human capital. Atkins is also known for his research into the factors that drive trust within business environments, emphasizing its direct link to outstanding business performance. He provides practical tools and insights that enable leaders to build and sustain trust, ultimately leading to improved employee engagement and financial success.

    What is Andy Atkins's background and experience?

    Andy Atkins brings more than three decades of diverse leadership and management experience to his current role. He has served as CEO of two technology services companies, both of which achieved significant growth and successful exits. He founded CRM manager, a Salesforce Ventures-backed company, guiding it from a startup to becoming one of Salesforce's top integration partners on the East Coast, serving major clients such such as Citi, DuPont, Comcast, Quest Diagnostics, and AXA. CRM manager was acquired by Simplus in 2017.

    Prior to CRM manager, Atkins was the CEO of ExecuTrain, a company he helped build into a worldwide leader in computer training. His earlier career included roles at prominent organizations such as Xerox, Oce (now Canon), and Fidelity Investments, where he honed his skills in sales, management, and strategic development. He also served on the Penn State College of Liberal Arts Alumni Society Board, where he initiated a successful intern program for students.

    Atkins earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Pennsylvania State University. His broad experience across various industries and leadership roles has equipped him with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing modern businesses.

    What topics does Andy Atkins speak and write about?

    Andy Atkins is a frequent speaker and contributor on topics vital to organizational success and leadership effectiveness. His core areas of focus include leadership development, organization development, and change management. He also explores strategic human resource management, emphasizing the importance of aligning HR strategies with overall business objectives.

    Atkins frequently addresses the intricacies of building high-performance teams and the critical role of trust in leadership and collaboration. He provides insights into how organizations can leverage these elements to drive business results and achieve sustainable growth. His presentations often include practical frameworks and actionable strategies that leaders can implement to enhance employee engagement, improve organizational culture, and foster innovation.

    How does Andy Atkins contribute to the Best Practice Institute?

    As Senior Vice President of Research & Innovative Practices at the Best Practice Institute, Andy Atkins is instrumental in advancing BPI's mission to provide cutting-edge research and best practices to leaders and organizations. He contributes by leading research initiatives, developing innovative practices, and sharing his extensive expertise through various platforms.

    Atkins has presented webinars for BPI, such as "The Formula for High Performance: How Top Companies Drive Business Results with Trust, Leadership, and Collaboration." In this and other contributions, he educates audiences on the vital connection between trust, strong leadership, and collaborative acumen, and their direct impact on financial success. His work helps BPI members and the broader business community understand and implement strategies for building resilient, high-performing organizations in today's dynamic business landscape.

    Background & Perspective

    Background

    Andy Atkins brings over three decades of leadership and management experience to his role. He served as CEO of two technology services companies, ExecuTrain and CRM manager, both of which he guided to significant growth and successful acquisitions. He founded CRM manager, a Salesforce Ventures-backed company, establishing it as a top Salesforce integration partner on the East Coast. His earlier career included management and sales roles at Xerox, Oce (now Canon), and Fidelity Investments. Atkins earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Pennsylvania State University.

    Areas of Expertise

    Atkins specializes in leadership and organizational development, with a particular focus on fostering high-performance environments through trust and strategic collaboration. His expertise includes:

    • Leadership & Organization Development: Helping organizations achieve high performance through effective leadership.
    • Business Scaling: A proven track record of leading companies from startup phase to successful exit.
    • Trust-Based Leadership: Researching and implementing practices that link workplace trust to improved employee engagement and business results.
    • High-Performing Teams: Building and cultivating high-caliber, collaborative teams.
    • Change Management & Strategic HR: Advising organizations on navigating complex transitions and aligning human capital with business goals.

    Contribution to BPI

    As Senior Vice President of Research & Innovative Practices, Andy Atkins is instrumental in advancing BPI's research agenda. He leads initiatives focused on trust, leadership effectiveness, and collaboration. Atkins develops and disseminates best practices through webinars and publications, such as "The Formula for High Performance," to help leaders and organizations implement actionable strategies for sustainable growth and organizational resilience.

    Areas of Expertise

    Leadership DevelopmentOrganization DevelopmentChange ManagementStrategic HRBusiness ScalingHigh-Performing TeamsTrust-Based LeadershipInnovation

    Research Topics

    LeadershipOrganizational DevelopmentChange Management

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    Frequently asked questions

    Best Practice Institute

    Best Practice Institute is the research organization behind Most Loved Workplace® certification, the SPARK Model, the Love of Workplace Index™ (LOWI™), and The Workplace Report.

    The Workplace Report

    The Workplace Report is BPI's original workplace culture research and editorial briefing series for CEOs, CHROs, people leaders, talent leaders, and employer-brand teams. It turns BPI's 25 years of research, Most Loved Workplace® certification data, SPARK findings, and current workforce signals into practical analysis leaders can use.

    The report format includes executive summaries, research-backed articles, company examples, methodology notes, and practical implications for retention, hiring, culture, leadership, and employee experience. New research and analysis is published on an ongoing editorial cadence at /workplace-report.