Karen J. Manardo
President, Manardo Communications
(formerly SME Communications & Marketing Director)
“Dan Grajek worked for me in the Communications Division of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) from November 2003 through November 2005. He served Communications as a marketing specialist and, later, as a graphics designer.
Dan demonstrated excellent graphic design skills on a number of high-profile marketing and advertising materials. He was a key contributor to the development of a new brand look for our Society, both by offering guidance and input as an active member of the internal branding committee and by applying the standards in a sophisticated manner through the development of original and attractive concepts and graphic looks for a number of critical new products.
In addition to demonstrating solid design skills, Dan wrote and edited fresh, original sales copy for many of the marketing materials he created. He made it a priority to understand our organization’s audience and was the first to volunteer for opportunities to interact with our members and customers in environments like trade shows and member meetings, where he could learn more about their interests and needs. Dan often served in the SME booth at industry events, for instance, and, when doing so, he aggressively recruited members and sold products, often becoming our “top seller.” I received many compliments from event attendees and other booth staff regarding Dan’s professionalism and work ethic, as well as his ability to listen to the buyers’ interests and target products as solutions to their needs.
A dedicated and passionate ambassador for SME, Dan demonstrated a strong business sense, a team spirit, and strong skills in diplomacy. He consistently found opportunities to cross-market products and services, in support of the organization’s integrated marketing strategy.
Dan’s diplomacy and team spirit, balanced with his focus on customer targeting, were key to the success of many marketing programs. He was always able to come up with high-quality marketing and graphics solutions, even when presented with differing opinions about the desired messaging or visual approach.
I would strongly recommend Dan Grajek as a dedicated employee who can be counted on to help any organization elevate the quality of its marketing materials. I would be happy to discuss his strengths further, and I can be reached at 313-671-1085.”
Alice Hull,
Advisory Marketing Specialist, Dassault Systeme
“Dan is truly a down-to-earth, honest, caring person. He has one of the most creative minds I have met, especially with the way he teaches lessons, to his kids and friends alike. I have had the pleasure of working with Dan in many ways over the past 7 years, as a fellow marketing specialist and as a customer of his when he transitioned over to the graphics department. Dan is very calm under pressure, a trait that many of us should be so lucky to possess. A recent event that I marketed (The 2005 Fuel Cell Summit) was running on a tight deadline and when Dan was given the assignment to design a brochure for this event, he jumped in with both feet, offering many suggestions and concepts for the best way to convey the meaning of the event. After all was said and done, the brochure that Dan produced was by far the best piece that SME had ever done. Not stopping there, Dan then produced an event directory for this same event that was outstanding. Dan was always a pleasure to work with, talk with, and go to for ideas and suggestions.”
