Hal Becker

Six years later in 1983, it was that same passion and energy that helped Hal Becker survive terminal cancer only months after launching Direct Opinions, one of the first customer service telemarketing firms which now conducts over 2,000,000 calls per year with offices throughout the U.S. and Canada. In 1990, Becker sold Direct Opinions to devote time for presenting lectures and seminars around the world and to promote his national bestseller, "Can I Have 5 Minutes of Your Time?" which is now in its 21st printing and is used by many corporations as their "Sales Bible." He has also authored other bestsellers including "Lip Service," one of the nation's foremost books on customer service, and "Get What You Want," a fresh approach to negotiating. His latest book on sales is titled "Ultimate Sales Book."

Becker has been featured in publications including The Wall Street Journal, Inc Magazine, Nations Business, and hundreds of newspapers and radio/TV stations around the world. He has received the Toastmasters International Communication and Leadership Award, and Inc. Magazine has recognized him as one of the nation's top speakers in the areas of Sales and Customer Service. He is also a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), the highest earned designation presented by the National Speakers Association.

As an internationally known expert on sales, customer service, and negotiating, Becker makes more than 140 presentations a year to organizations that include IBM, Disney, New York Life, Verizon, and hundreds of other companies and associations. He covers a wide range of topics including customer relationship, sales management, and effective negotiating with a guarantee of a 15% increase in sales volume through his management training techniques. Hal Becker also founded the nonprofit Cancer Hotline of Cleveland, a telephone service that provides support and information for cancer patients and their families, and donates proceeds of his books to this cause.