George L. Charles

Experience

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  TPA Holdings, SA

  Jan 1997 - Jan 1999

  Product Manager & Sales Manager

  Responsible for brokering lease financing deals between local companies and international lessors.

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  Sourcetrack LLC

  Jan 1999 - Jan 2001

  Product Manager

  SourceTrak was an online marketplace with the purpose of helping large companies reduce their expenses for indirect goods and services. Product Manager responsible for prioritizing customer requirement to product development. Initiated and developed strategic partnership with expense reduction services of purchasing consultants. Created and maintained competitive intelligence database.Product Strategy: responsible for prioritizing customer requirements for product development team. Competitive Analysis: put together extensive database of competitors including key product features and financial metrics. Show less

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  GE HealthCare

  Jan 2003 - Jan 2006

  Global Product Manager

  Product manager responsible for $40m sub-acute patient monitor business. Direct responsibility for achieving sales growth through strategic planning, global product development, sales training and strategic partnerships. Developed relationships and interfaced with all facets of the business including: marketing communications, R&D, manufacturing, service, finance, sales, supply chain, purchasing and regulatory departments. Some of my accomplishments include:Product Strategy: Hired leading market research firm to conduct market research on future trends in vital signs market. I managed the project and helped design surveys, conduct focus groups, analyze data and develop conclusions. Developed product road map based upon market research and voice of customer data resulting in sales increase of 37%Product Management: Full product ownership. Managed pricing strategy, worked closely assisting sales team, resolved complaints, developed marketing materials and insured brand compliance.Product Development: Developed marketing product proposal plan for future product development. Put together business case. Worked with engineering to make product trade-offs during product design. Developed patient monitor to be sold exclusively in China. Worked with Chinese marketing and engineering teams to develop product proposal.Product Marketing Strategy: Developed marketing and product branding strategy. Developed promotion and launch strategy for new products. Trained sales force in new products functionality and marketing message.Strategic Partnerships: Developed strategic partnership with Care Fusion to connect our vital signs monitors with their point of care solutions. Negotiated deal, went on joint sales calls and developed joint marketing message. Show less

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  My Body Ecology

  Jan 2006 - Jan 2007

  Product Manager

  Summary: I was recruited to join Body Ecology by a former manager of mine from GE. I had seen a major health improvement of my son when he had started using a similar health philosophy a year earlier. Awarded 10% of the company, my partner and I had an agreement with the majority owner that we would diligently put a plan together and grow the business with the idea of purchasing it from her down the road. Product Strategy: -Conducted a complete financial analysis of all products -Deep dive of on areas of concern and opportunities for growth-Formulated new product strategy based upon higher margin products with a much greater focus on customer education of product benefits. -Developed product road maps for new products that would fit with new education focus-Identified the major new trend that customer was looking for an online relationship and continuous education and supportProduct Management:-Conducted complete pricing evaluation of all products relative to product value to customer and competition-Led product development projects including business case definition, product specifications, samples, label creation, creative, copy, forecast and promotionBranding: -Identified the undervalued asset of the corporate brand and personality of the owner to the female -30-70 year old demographic-Worked with outside agency to completely redesign the Body Ecology branding and messaging-Created new font, logo, color scheme, website, sales collateral, and overall message-Developed overall product branding strategy across all product linesProduct Marketing Strategy:-Relaunched all major product lines through cross promotion with website and newsletter-Worked with partner newsletter to promote new marketing message through partner channelsProcess Improvement:-Redefined product development process cutting product development time from 4 months to 2 months-Created written manual of new process Show less

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  George L. Charles Growth Consulting

  Jan 2007 - Dec 2014

  Business Development and Product Management

  Summary: Worked as a management consultant for various small to medium sized firms. Sample projects include:CF Bean Dredging Project: CF Bean is a 65 year old dredging contractor. They were coming off a seven year joint venture with a large Dutch dredging firm and needed to reestablish themselves as a standalone company. I worked as a senior adviser to the chairman and the CEO. Using my product management skills, I analyzed the industry dynamics and company financials. I helped the management team realize that they needed to sell the competitive slot before industry competitors realized they were in financial distress. Selling assets that made the company the #3 competitor in the industry nationwide allowed company to garner 66% increase in value.Silverman Construction Program Management Project: Silverman CPM provides construction program management for non-profit and government entities in the Atlanta area. Arnie Silverman was the 2006 "Small Businessman of the Year" in Atlanta. The issue we faced was the whole company ran through him and he needed help building a business system that could operate without him at the center. We went through the product development process to systematize the service Silverman offers to their clients. We documented the system for each phase of the construction project, aggregated all templates, implemented a project management software and trained the entire team.Deeds Select Advisors: Deeds Select Advisors is an independent registered investment advisory firm in the Kansas City area. I helped Deeds with their core product offering of portfolio management services. Deeds needed help diversifying their portfolios for their alternative asset strategies. Additionally, Deeds needed help with trading strategies to time entries and exits. I helped formulate a portfolio strategy for Deeds based upon reducing the overall volatility of the portfolio yet maintaining the overall exposure to certain key segments of the market. Show less

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  Bulk Food International

  May 2013 - Oct 2013

  Business Development and Marketing

  Summary: Bulk Food International is an innovative new company that offers clients the ability to purchase bulk food commodities in 1,800 pound containers as a tangible investment and store them in an underground facility in the Kansas City areaSales Management:- Developed list of attractive channel partners- Networked with potential partners and signed 3 major new affiliatesCorporate Strategy: - Led the company through a process to define corporate Vision, Mission, Values and Goals & Objectives- Process led to clarity for all employees on how their individual position connects to the larger corporate strategyProduct Marketing: - Conducted market research on customer demographics of target market. Determined target market as a person who has purchased physical gold, has at least three months supply of food on hand and net worth over $250k- Analyzed purchasing patterns of target market, determined where target market went on internet for news and market information- Created digital marketing strategy to grow email list via PPC campaigns- Worked with outside vendor to create landing pages to grow email list- Created Bulk Food International TV – weekly educational videos discussing relevant topics surrounds the investment of tangible bulk food assets. Developed topics, wrote script, filmed videos.Product Management: - Conducted full value chain analysis to explain to customers the unique value of the company- Put together financial model and business case for digital marketing strategy Show less

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  Custom Trailer Pros

  Jan 2015 - now

  Marketing and Business Development

  Custom Trailer Pros is an internet based dealer specializing in providing fully equipped concession trailers. Key Accomplishments:- Grew sales 485% in year 1 and 139% in year 2 and and 100% in both years 6 & 7- Highly experienced in selling high ticket items remotely- Grew average sales price 5x over 7 years- Helped implement Hubspot inbound marketing strategy- Developed new quoting calculators for more efficient pricing- Assisted in development of new product line which included commercial cooking equipment Show less