In this series, we share insights from candid conversations with our partners who leverage Quadient AR to help transform their customers’ businesses.
RKL eSolutions is the sister company of one of the largest and most well-respected accounting firms in Pennsylvania and a leading provider for Sage solutions, delivering business software and IT and networking solutions to their clients across the country.
Meet Walt Goodfield, Chief Business Officer, RKL eSolutions
When Walt went to school for accounting, he was planning to join one of the big firms after graduation.
In the spring of his sophomore year, however, he decided he wanted hands-on experience in accounting and accounting technology. So, he joined a small tech reseller to help them with processing payables and cash receipts.
Only a few months later, something happened that would change his life. The company’s primary implementer quit, leaving them in a difficult situation. Walt was already using the software, so he thought perhaps he could help. He stayed up late reading manuals about setting parameters, configuration, and data importation. Soon, he was traveling across the country to help customers with implementations—all while trying to finish his junior year of college.
After graduation, Walt did not end up interviewing with big CPA firms. He had enjoyed working with customers and helping them implement solutions so much, that he joined the company full-time. And, that company ended up being acquired by Sage.
For the next several years, Walt took on a variety of roles at Sage and other leading organizations, but he missed the day-to-day challenges of being a reseller, managing sales teams, and developing partnerships. Enter RKL eSolutions.
When and why did you join RKL eSolutions?
RKL was one of the first resellers I worked with at Sage back in 2002. They always had a great reputation in the Sage community for how they managed their projects, the way they provided services, and the excellent relationships they created and fostered with their customers. Their NPS scores were through the roof! In 2014, they needed a sales leader and I saw an opportunity to help a great company grow. It was really a win-win.
What’s your average day like?
When you run marketing and sales for a consultancy, there are no average days. Every day is different. However, I do try to make sure I have time to mentor our team and remove any obstacles they’re facing. Our team is the growth engine of the organization, so we need to be consistent, creative, and extremely customer focused. I also try to challenge the team to stay ahead of the curve. For example, during COVID, people were more engaged with our marketing, but I knew that level of engagement couldn’t last. We are always asking ourselves “How can we create a better experience for our community?”
How would you describe the culture at RKL?
One of the reasons I was interested in joining RKL back in 2014 was the culture. We are focused on relationships, not transactions. In other words, we aren’t about selling a solution today that won’t help you in the long run. We want to ensure that we’re developing long-term partnerships so that when you grow and transition to the next solution (and the next one), we’re always helping you solve what’s next. Because of that, we’re very team-focused internally. We strive to be organized, provide the tools and autonomy our teams need to succeed, and offer people a place with lots of camaraderie.
Do you have a favorite project?
All our projects are interesting, but I especially like visiting our manufacturing customers’ shop floors to see what they do and how they do it. Making physical things is so different from technology consulting. And what everyone makes is varied and unique. For example, we have customers that make parts for space exploration, engines for race cars, cakes for the Chinese New Year, or sugar free ice cream delivered to your door.
What do you like most about your job?
As I mentioned earlier, no two days are alike. And I personally like that. I’d go crazy doing the same thing every day. We get to be agile, responsive, and meet challenges head-on—whether that’s helping a customer or a teammate, creating demand, or getting creative.
And—because we are so relationship-focused—I often get the opportunity to celebrate wins with our customers at places like the Daytona races, barbeques, and grand openings.
What do you do when you’re not working?
I live in Northeast Ohio with my wife, two kids (one in college so she lives with us part-time), a Mini Australian Shepherd dog named Rocky, an African Pygmy Hedgehog named Sanderson, and four goldfish that my daughter rescued from a county fair.
We try to vacation as often as possible—whether it’s a weekend away or a big trip. We have a map with push pins to show all the places we’ve been. When we see a hole, we plan a trip!
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About RKL eSolutions
Founded in 2001, RKL eSolutions provides business software and IT/Networking solutions for our clients. With headquarters in Lancaster, PA and a national presence coast-to-coast, we are more than just a technology company.
