Chief Operations Officer & Board Member
Cultiv llc
Total years of experience :37 years, 6 Months
Working in tandem with CEO in business incubation for startups and management consultancy in the region including advisory and support on strategic direction for growth, business mentoring, brand building, executive coaching, etc.
Key Highlights
• Successfully graduated 10 companies through the Incubation programme in 2017
• Improved communication and recognition of the team to reduce staff turnover to 0% in 2017
• Generated finance via Venture Capital for investment in future Start-Ups.
• Designed programmes to expand geographically into other locations in Egypt in 2019
• Implemented a robust portfolio management process in 2020 to improve the operational performance of 25 companies.
• Introduced Cultiv Consulting as new brand and revenue stream for the business
Responsible for design, development and implementation an E Commerce startup using Network Marketing, report to Chief Investor
Key Highlights
• Designed and implemented a first of its kind hybrid business model using E Commerce & Network Marketing
• Raised finanace, recruited and developed key team members, and successfully established the business
• Launched the business into a rural area of Egypt and generated 100 independent contractors
• Achieved breakeven in 9 months, 6 months ahead of schedule
• Created and implemented robust businesses processes ensuring zero audit flaws
Responsible for establishing a startup to sell communication products in micro retail outlets, and report to Chief Investor
Key Highlights
• Delivered a low cost business retail operating model
• Achieved best in market margins for handset, accessories and airtime by negotiating with suppliers and Mobile Network Operators
• Established the company both locally and off-shore to achieve optimum tax concessions
• Achieved breakeven in 12 months of operation, 3 months ahead of plan
Growth Path
• 1999 - 2003 Business Development
Manager UK
• 2003 - 2009 Sales Director & Board
Member, South Africa
• 2009 - 2012 Managing Director & Board
Member, Egypt
Key Highlights
MD & Board Member
• Closed manufacturing plant in Egypt, procured from central European Avon plant and outsourced to local manufacturing for low margin items, resulting in a saving of $4m in first year
• Restructured Supply Chain and reduced fixed costs by 15%
• Centralised warehousing system and reduced inventory holding by 10 days and increased customer retention by 4%
• Implemented 100% on line ordering to 60, 000 independent contractors and improved dropped call rates, telephone costs and customer satisfaction
• Maintained operational continuity during the Spring Uprising, retaining a presence and support for agents, employees, and business partners, increasing sales by 18%
• Increased gross margin from 49% to 68% & Net Margin from 2% to 16% by implementing sales & pricing strategy
• Awarded ‘Business Operations Award’ in ’09 for exceeding profit targets by 28%
• Awarded ‘Business Funamental Award’ in ’10 for growing revenue 38% versus target
Sales Director & Board Member
• Optimized staff strength by conducting staff capability assessment and measuring output to increase sales and productivity
• Introduced “wow products” into the market to increase brand awareness
• Restructured the back office support to allow fast assistance to field staff, saving $2m in Labor Costs & $1.2m in Operating Costs
• Restructured the supply chain operation to centralize all stock, increasing average order and retention, saving $4m
• Created a separate identity for Avon & Justine brands, and marketed them effectively
• Won Best Transformation Award in 2006, Outstanding Sales & Profit Award in 2007, Best Business Profit in 2008, and The Flame Award (highest accolade in the global company) in 2010
Business Development Manager
• Generated highest revenue (>$25m) in the region in 2002
• Reduce staff turnover from 45 % to 10%
• Increased customer retention and average order by holding regular monthly meetings with customers
• Pilot tested the use of laptops and electronic reporting - the system was rolled out to the rest of the country
• Designed and tested a new business model of multi-level marketing
• The team won a company incentive trip to New York for best performance in 2001
• Won the Business Transformation Award in 2002 for seamlessly introducing the use of technology in the field
• Awarded for Best Revenue Growth, Best Cost Reductions, Best Profit in 1997
• Reduce cost of labor across all units by 15% by implementing ‘Labor Scheduling’
• Increased staff retention and reduced staff turnover through improved interpersonal relationships and motivational leadership
• Introduced robust business processes resulting in reduction of operating cost by 30%
• Introduced roles & responsibilities to the staff and increased staff productivity and retention
• Increased profitability of the business in 12 months by 45%
• Joined the group in 1985 as General Manager and promoted to Group Operations Manager in 1991
• Implemented monthly and weekly reporting processes
• Increased the revenue of all underperforming hotels
• Generated new business by agreeing terms with tour operators
• Invested in a new hotel and implemented a $5m renovation program
Graduate - DIRECT SELLING UNIVERSITY Graduate - GENERAL MANAGEMENT UNIVERSITY (INTERNAL MBA EQUIVALENT)
BTEC National Diploma in Management and Business Studies/Finance - BLACKBURN COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
BTEC General Diploma in Management and Business Studies - BLACKBURN COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
GCE 'O' Level in English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and French - WITTON PARK HIGH SCHOOL
