Business Development PROFESSIONAL

  • Networked with other professionals
  • Earned one or more college degrees
  • Limited-edition achievement recognizing early members of Workfolio
  • Donates time to philanthropic causes or organizations

AGILE  FOCUSED  PROFESSIONAL

Agile - an engagement model that fits your business model. Focused - on where you are in the trajectory of your business growth. Business development results via alliances, partnerships, channels & direct sales - whatever it takes to get the job done!
Business Development Executive with strong relationship development skills honed through my years of experience building and managing relationships between companies starting new and evolving existing relationships to drive sales. Senior Management experience leading teams in this area.

Unique ability to creatively focus the parties involved in a partnership to rapidly realize the sales potential and other synergies between them with focused and effective investments.

Marketing activities defined and developed in close proximity to sales to assure their quality and effective execution. Multi-faceted with strong ability to belong with, and bridge between, seasoned technologists, marketers and sales people.

Hands-on, reliable, hard-working and passionate about the products or services being brought to market - and the quality of the client experience.

Versatile team player with multiple managerial experiences.

Experience in multiple industries with most recent focus on Financial Services and High Tech.

Track record of taking on and mastering new challenges including those involving significant organizational change.

Career Timeline

  1. -
    President, ABFFAB Inc.

    Serving a cross-industry client base ranging from small business and start ups to established firms - helping them grow their businesses in a cost effective and efficient manner.

    Clients to date:

    1) Monitise, plc - London-based Mobile Banking, Payments and Commerce provider retained to advise on their relationship with large System Integrators and act as their VP Alliances for the Americas.

    2) HopOn, Inc - Tel Aviv-based Mobile-Ticketing Solution for Transit Authorities and Bike Share Systems retain me to represent them in the Americas as VP Business Development

  2. -
    Global Ecosystem Manager - Financial Services, IBM Software Group - Industry Solutions Division

    Identified gaps where synergy with partners was vital to successful marketing and sales of software and delivery project services of IBM Solutions. Set Ecosystem Strategy then led and supported its execution through influence and resale channels to fill gaps for 100 Solutions targeting Banking, Financial Markets and Insurance. Part of an offering team that grew revenues via new solutions approach from $400M in 2010 to $650M in 2012. Eventually promoted to lead a cross-function, cross-brand, cross-industry (Banking, Insurance, Financial Markets) team in the development of Industry Solutions Offerings that brought IBM products and services together to deliver engagements that realized the business value while solving a business problem of the client.

  3. -
    Business Development Executive, IBM IDR (ISV - Independent Software Vendor - Developer Relations)

    As part of the GTU (Global Technology Unit) - worked closely with Israeli peers connecting a portfolio of Israeli companies with IBM Marketing & Sales organizations to drive sales of IBM hardware, software and/or services along with partner revenue. Consistently beat (by, on average, 137%) targets: $10M in 2007, $41M in 2008 & $71M in 2009. Improved quality of joint IBM / Israeli Economic Mission events in New York, Boston, Toronto and Chicago

  4. -
    Channels Sales Manager / Territory Representative, IBM Software Group - Wall Street Software Sales Team

    As Territory Representative, introduced channels sales roles (I took on two) to sales team that sold exclusively via Direct Sales Representatives. Promoted to Channel Sales Manager in late 2004; managed team of territory & marketing representatives. Enabled direct sales team with creative new ways to drive revenue in customer accounts by forging ties with partners calling on the same accounts or who could drive sales of IBM product. Drove 8-10% of organizational revenue target via alternate routes to market in first year. 3 solid years of experience participating in weekly sales cadence - led by one of IBM's top software sales executives - developed strong understanding of quarterly forecasting and driving to quarter close. Team exceeded its results in each of the three years.

  5. -
    Global Offering Manager - Learning Services Unit, IBM Global Services - Global Techology Services Division

    Grew and managed a $50M dollar segment of IBM's $300M+ IT Product Training business including offerings for e-business, Java, XML, Object-oriented Development and Web Services as well as the WebSphere and Rational Family of products. Created annual Strategic Business Plan & managed $3.4M curriculum development budget. Led 12 Regional Offering Managers in IBM Geographies in consistent attainment of plan

  6. -
    Manager, Alternate Channel Sales, IBM Software Group - WebSphere Brand - Lab Services Unit

    Relocated to pioneer role for VisualAge & WebSphere Lab-based Services Team. Managed sales operations hub which progressed >100 services leads monthly averaging >50% conversion to closings. Sold >$5M of services directly to ISVs, Web Integrators,.com's & System Integrators. Exceeded sales targets in each of three quarters in spite of .com "bust"

  7. -
    Principal / Manager Lab Services Practice, IBM Canada Limited - Toronto Software Laboratory

    Created the VisualAge and WebSphere Product Affinity Services Team. Managed consultants, client solution and proposal development, sales, marketing, business management/financial controls, executive reviews with senior management. Grew to 25 fully-utilized Java Sr. Architects & over-achieved profit targets in each of 3 years. Made 170% of revenue target in 1st year; 1 of 3 peers making 100% of team target in 2nd year. Retained staff in competitive environment where freelancers were earning more than $250 hourly

  8. -
    Various Product Management Positions, IBM Canada Ltd.

    Marketing Manager, Product Manager, Product Planner, Team Leader

  9. -
    MBA, Strategy and Marketing, York University
  10. -
    Manager, Trader Workstation Development, Marketing, Toronto Stock Exchange

    Started out as a programmer developing prototype equity and options trader workstations for use on the exchange floor as well as within firm trading floors. Was quickly promoted to Team Leader and Manager of a team that I grew to 16 highly skilled C / UNIX programmers who developed a range of applications for use by traders. The role was highly intrapreneurial and I was asked to drive marketing and sales of the products we developed to the trader community. This included travel to Australia and other IFBV conference locations to promote the sales of exchange systems.

  11. Bachelor of Science Comp Sci Major, Poli Sci Minor

Proudest Accomplishment

Proudest accomplishment:  relationship built with Fundtech when IBM forged its ACI Alliance. Ask me

Experience Highlights

  • Principal / VP Business Development
    ABFFAB Inc.
  • Global Ecosystem Manager - Financial Services Sector
    IBM Software Group - Industry Solutions Division
  • Business Development Executive
    IBM IDR (ISV - Independent Software Vendor - Developer Relations)
  • Channels Sales Manager / Territory Representative
    IBM Software Group - Wall Street Sales Team

Education Highlights

  • MBA, Strategy and Marketing
    York University
  • Bachelor of Science, Computer Science Major; Political Science Minor
    University of Toronto - University College

Causes

  • Board Member
    YesSheCan Inc.
  • Communications Coordinator
    5BBC (5 Borough Bike Club)

Interests

  • CyclinG
  • Photography
  • TRAVEL
  • CULTURAL pURSUITS

Skills

  • Business Development
  • Strategic Partnerships
  • Business Alliances
  • Go-to-market Strategy
  • Product Management
  • Solution Selling
  • Professional Services
  • Strategy
  • Partner Management
  • Start-ups

Questions & Answers

What Motivates You?
I LOVE A CHALLENGE THAT REQUIRES ME TO

GROW AND LEARN NEW THINGS WHILE DRIVING RESULTS

Describe Your Work Ethic

Once I have work that challenges me and lets me grow, I believe in focussing on goals and finding the best way to accomplish that leveraging whatever resources are at my disposal. This varies based on the size of organization funding the work of course, but involves honesty and integrity first, hopefully a social dimension that builds new or existing relationships, and finally brings value to all sides involved in the deal, transaction or whatever the work product is. 

What was your greatest challenge?

There have been many at work because I tend to seek roles that are challenging. Perhaps the greatest was when I managed the Fundtech partnership when IBM forged a strategic alliance with ACI. Arch rivals; my contacts at the highet C-levels of this company were not happy. But I go beyond building professional relationships with people - I engender trust and friendship wherever possible and this allowed me to break through their anger and help them see a way forward that benefited them TREMENDOUSLY. Ask me about it!

If you could re-do anything, what would it be?

I tend not to look back and say "would have, should have, could have" too much - it is not productive. There have been a few situations I wish had turned out differently, but really they are more for sentimental reasons than things that I believe would have materially impacted my competencies. I grew up in Montreal and assumed I would graduate McGill. I did well in my studies there, but realized I really wanted to major in Computer Science and the better school was University of Toronto. So I switched and many benefits came from that. Still, I wish I had a McGill degree. Perhaps I should see if they offer one on-line? 

Blog

First Blog Post

Post Body

Location

Greater New York City Area

Currently Seeking