About Sigma Resource Group | you & your business are unique

Excited <> Fatigued

Happy <> Frustrated

Confident <> Confused

Ever have these conflicting feelings as a business leader? Yup, we have too! But you know it and we know it – the conflict can be overcome with focus and discipline, clearing a path to better results and fulfillment.

So if you value clear thinking, simple planning, rational decision making, and accountability – we’re on the same page! Let’s work together!

About Us

Mark Akerley

Mark Akerley is co-founder and chief focus officer for Sigma Resource Group, Inc, a business advisory firm that helps leaders and business owners improve their condition. He has worked with both large and small businesses in a variety of industries, including Aetna, GE, Quaker Oats, EMC, AAA, Daily Herald, Lewis Paper, and over 200 other organizations. Prior to co-founding Sigma, Mark spent ten years in industry leading and managing several operating divisions and new business acquisitions. And prior to that, his first entry into management and leadership, he started and operated a successful ride sharing business, learning many valuable lessons about people and getting things done.

Mark is a US Army veteran, has served on the leadership council for the Lincoln Foundation to help Illinois companies achieve excellence, the advisory board for the Montgomery County American Red Cross and the MGH Health Foundation. He has received degrees in business, economics, and organizational improvement from the Defiance College and DePaul University. He has authored and co-authored several instructional handbooks for business leaders including “Food for Thought –Lessons at Lunchtime for Business Leaders,” “Becoming Better Leaders,” “Strategic Edge: a simple but not easy process for producing winning results,” and “Manage Yourself Then Lead Others.”

When not reading or writing about business and personal growth, you might find him rolling on the floor with his grandchildren or, as an FAA certified flight instructor, teaching aviation enthusiasts how to fly sailplanes (airplanes without engines).

Partial List of Clients

Arbitration Forum
Biodyne
Cameron Group
Eva Maddox Associates
Daily Herald
EMC
Germania
Mutual Trust Life
Farm Mutual
Fortis Financial
Guarantee Reserve
Horton Group
Guy Carpenter
MGH Health
Montgomery Mutual
Mountain West Farm Bureau
Newcastle Companies
PAMIC
Partners Group
Penn National
Quaker Oats
Security Benefit
Rowe Companies
US dept of Agriculture
US Postal Service
Interstate
Merchants & Business Owners Assn.
Preferred Mutual
Amtrak
Robert Taylor Associates
Business Engineering
TIACP
IBR Services
ARAMARK
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
American Medical Association
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Certified Grocers
Perseco
Richard Morton Company Charming Shops
Sterling Stainless Tube
Nielson Clearing House
Boatman’s Bank
Fort Dearborn Life
Holmes Murphy & Associates
Management Programs Inc
Federal Reserve Bank
Montgomery Ward
Farm Bureau
North American Insurance
Official Airine Guides
Mid Central Foods
Walter Heller Financial
UARCO
American Medical Association
Heinold Commodities
Elangy Littman Jewelers
Channel Home Centers
Regency Savings Bank
Exchange National Bank
Signature Group
McCrory Stores
American Dental Association
Alliance Insurance Co
Employers Health Insurance
Aetna
The Brethren Mutual Insurance Co.
National Assn for Mutual Insurance Co’s
MEDCO
Follett College Stores
AAA-American Automobile Assn.
J.C. Penny
Lewis Paper Inc.
Chicago Beverage Systems
Alliance of American Insurers
Amerisafe
Town of Franklin
Village of Rocky Hill
ITT

Clients and Testimonials

For more than thirty years, Sigma Resource Group has helped hundreds of businesses – of various sizes and in many different industries – become more successful. Our work with clients can be short or long term, hands-on or just advisory – but in all cases focused on your needs to help you improve your condition.

Below are just some of the clients we have had the pleasure to work with:

Mark has helped me on multiple occasions challenge my thinking and plan substantive new business initiatives. If you truly want a strategic thinking partner to help you surface important issues and build processes to address them successfully, I can recommend Mark without reservation.

Ron Wajer, President, Business Engineering

Working through building a business model and executing the plan with Mark was incredible. The process increased my focus by a factor of ten, and now I’ve got my business headed where I want it to go … and achieving expected results.

Mary Witowski, Owner, DataKeep

Over the past few years Mark has been my valued coach both in my role as Senior Vice President of a large financial services firm and now as owner and CEO of a specialized services company, by combining tactical techniques to solve pressing problems and leadership insight to continue growth and development. He is an excellent business consultant and strategic advisor. I recommend him highly.

Jason Bogart, CEO, Deep Customer Connections, LLC

You certainly helped us get our planning and accountability back on track. Your direct assistance and keen insights into our business were all-important in helping us move ahead. I look forward to working with you more in the future.

Tim Dorr, President, Mutual Reinsurance Bureau

Mark, thanks for getting our team on the same page and showing us how to stay FOCUSED! We’ve been able to get so much more accomplished since we adopted the business processes you helped us design – we’re on our way - many thanks!

Linda Richter, The Richter Agency

I have used Mark’s consulting services on multiple occasions over many years and varied assignments. Our team members have always rated Mark as the best consultant they have ever worked with (me too).

O. Paul Shew, Peer Consultants, P.C.

Wow! Working with Mark we were able to surface our priority issues, develop a master strategy, and put together a practical operating plan with clear objectives and accountabilities in just two days – with a group of twelve independent agency owners no less. We started seeing the benefits of this almost immediately – focus and results!

Ken Lloyd, President, TIACP

Working with Sigma Resource Group has been a real “discovery” process for me and my team. Learning how to master a few key leadership/management skills and integrate them into our business processes has accelerated our growth beyond my expectations.

Eva Wilson, President, Eva WIlson Associates

I have worked with Mark for more than ten years and during that time our company has moved from struggling to prospering. Everyone on our management team has become a better manager and leader thanks to the practical tools and processes Mark has helped us assimilate and use effectively - his guidance and counsel have been crucial to our success.

Eric Faust, President, EMCnationallife

I really enjoyed working with Mark as my "on call mentor". There were 2-3 situations where I wasn't sure how to handle and needed outside perspective, to determine the best way to proceed. My line of work is in the professional services space, working with other executives at organizations. Mark was always an email or phone call away, at the ready to hear the situation I was dealing with and having an open conversation about any techniques that had worked for him in the past. His guidance was invaluable, as my business is built on trust and relationships, with little room for error. I trust Mark because his guidance would always be centered around integrity, honesty, and being of service to others. Should you be looking to advance in your career and skip "newbie executive" mistakes, I strongly encourage that you consider working with Mark!

Rocio Baeza, CEO, CyberSecurityBase

Get in Touch Today!

SIGMA Resource Group specializes in strategic growth and development for business owners, executives and senior teams. Our goal is simple… to turn your vision into reality.