Robert Grossman

Experience

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  Electronic Data Systems Corporation

  Jun 1991 - Mar 1993

  Research Systems Engineer

  When I graduated college, my dad advised me to "take the job that offers the most money." He said that's where I'd be creating the most value. So I did - EDS offered a salary of $35,000 a year to join their tiny and experimental "research systems engineers" program.We learned "cutting edge" (now long-obsolete) methods of streamlining business processes. My first assignment involved designing business applications using one of the original Mac computers. That thing was S-L-O-W.When I heard they had a short-term project in Budapest, Hungary, I jumped on a plane, ready for adventure.The project involved reorganizing all the business processes for the Hungarian Social Insurance Administration. They had 3,000 65 year old ladies managing 8,000,000 1-inch thick paper folders, tracking the monthly "accounts" for each and every worker and retiree in the country. A nightmare!After the project was over, I had "the bug." I was in love with international living and I've stayed in Hungary ever since. Show less

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  Gateway Consulting

  Mar 1993 - Aug 1995

  Freelance consultant

  My first foray into entrepreneurship and independent international living. I wanted to experience life in Europe, so I struck out on my own. I worked mostly as a project manager for banking software companies in Budapest, Hungary.Some of the projects were really interesting. I supported a Malaysian private bank in their start-up phase, helping them design their core banking system. Along the way I got to witness the whole process of how four ultra-rich Malaysian investors built a bank from scratch.Another very cool project was for Tesco - the British food store. I helped them set up a system to deliver banking, consumer loans and insurance products through their grocery store chain. Show less

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  McKinsey & Company

  Jun 1996 - Dec 2002

  Engagement Manager

  McKinsey is widely considered "the best of the best" in the world of business management. I joined them in their Eastern Europe office to help open the Budapest location, help lead the Russian Business Technology practice, and serve large corporate clients all around Europe.McKinsey Eastern Europe was a powerhouse in the banking/finance industry at the time. So I worked for many of the largest banks and insurance companies in Europe. Cost reduction, business strategy, opening new markets, mergers and acquisitions.I also had a chance to work for a few governments on social insurance, health policy reform, and pension reform. I ran the numbers and saw firsthand that the legacy systems are headed for bankruptcy. We proposed solutions ... but for the most part every workable solution was politically unacceptable. *sigh*McKinsey truly is a team of genius problem-solvers. The team I worked with never used "frameworks" or canned solutions. Every new problem began with a blank sheet of paper and a team brainstorming session. We poured our creativity, analysis skills, hard work, and passion for excellence into everything we did.I've never seen another team that works this way. And I've never seen another team produce the kind of results McKinsey does. Show less

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  Central European University

  Jan 2001 - Dec 2014

  Adjunct Professor, MBA program

  I have volunteered as a lecturer on strategy, consulting, economics and entrepreneurship at the Central European University Graduate Business School since 2001. Although I am not paid for this work, it is one of the most rewarding things I do.The students at CEU come from all over the world. They are smart and ambitious. They are also hungry for knowledge and they soak it up like a sponge.My role involves joining some of the full-time professors as a guest lecturer, working one-on-one as a mentor to student project teams, and speaking on topics like entrepreneurship, career planning, business problem-solving, and strategy. Show less

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  Magyar Telekom

  Mar 2003 - Jul 2006

  Director of Group Strategic Planning and Market Research

  Magyar Telekom has a fixed-line telephone business covering (almost) all of the country, the largest mobile phone business in the country, the largest internet service provider business in the company, and a cable TV business as well.The only problem (at the time I was there) was that all these divisions were constantly feuding. There was also an atmosphere of panic due to the decline of the legacy fixed-line telephony business and the need to "transform" into a new kind of online communications provider (combined with near-complete cluelessness as to exactly what kind of transformation was needed, or how to bring it about).I was hired in as Director of Group Strategic Planning and Market Research. My job was basically to try to make all the divisions play nice together, so they could realize some of the market-shaping potential they weren't tapping into.I was also responsible for overseeing the business strategy in Macedonia and Montenegro, where Magyar Telekom had acquired the local incumbent telcos. I really enjoyed the travel to these out-of-the-way countries and getting to know the local people. Most of all, I loved working with the local teams because they were extremely hungry for knowledge and development.However, this job took a toll on my health. It was extremely stressful due to the constant internal politics. My work was based on analysis and the division leaders didn't appreciate that — they had turf to protect. I eventually had to leave the company for health reasons. Show less

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  Cisco Systems

  Aug 2006 - Jun 2011

  Director of Country Transformation, Emerging Markets

  Cisco is mostly known as a giant network equipment manufacturer. But the unit I joined is a bit different.We were a tiny in-house consulting team focused on the "Emerging Markets Theater". This included all of Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. We covered a total of 130 countries. And these are my favorite countries because of the incredible development and the lack of complacency and decadence.I was responsible for an initiative called "Country Transformation" — something so ambitious Cisco eventually got embarrassed and changed the name. The idea was to work directly with the governments of the 130 countries to help them with economic development, healthcare, education and national security.Cisco's vision was that by helping the Emerging Market countries to develop, there would be a bigger market for Internet equipment (and Cisco had 70% market share). For me, it was simply an opportunity to take my consulting work to a higher level than I had ever dreamed of.I worked in many, many countries during this time. The most distinctive experience was about six months I spent mostly in Saudi Arabia.The Saudi economy is "obsolete" and hampered by extremely rigid cultural/religious restrictions. Part of the King's response to this is the creation of the Saudi "Mega Cities" which are intended to become oases of culture and prosperity in the desert. The focus of my work in Saudi Arabia was collaborating with government and the developers of these cities to develop infrastructure and services.I also very much enjoyed working on projects in Russia, Lebanon, South Africa, Turkey, Poland, Morocco and many other countries. Show less

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  Intelligent Business Solutions, Inc.

  Jan 2012 - now

  Founder | President
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  Wellness Prosperity Systems, Inc.

  Dec 2012 - Apr 2015

  Founder | President | "Wellness Business Systematologist"

  Most wellness, beauty, fitness and health businesses are wasting money on ineffective advertising.Most owners of these business are making major mistakes with their marketing budget, even if it seems like all is working well.The solution is fresh and proven expertise to fully leverage your marketing dollars.We implement proven, fresh strategies that increase your profitability by bringing in more clients and raising the value of each client.Our clients enjoy time savings and increased return on their marketing investment.Our service allows you to completely step away from your marketing responsibilities and focus on the activities you're best at.When you know new clients will be coming through your door every day, and 100% of your time becomes available to deliver the absolute best level of service you can, your business goes into a virtuous cycle that brings tremendous benefit to everyone involved.We handle everything ... strategy, fulfillment, tracking and implementation.We work with any budget and advise how to best spend it for the highest return on investment.After your approval, we create everything needed and implement the entire program through our nationwide fulfillment centers.We have the experience to know what works and what doesn’t for your unique objectives. All you have to do is approve materials and costs. We do the rest.We save your time and show you how to leverage your marketing budget and get more results without spending more money. This is a true win-win relationship.We offer a 100% money back guarantee on this service. If you’re not completely satisfied with what we’ve done, we’ll refund our monthly fee and work to make you happy. And since we don’t require long-term contracts, there really is nothing to lose with this service.Visit us at http://WellnessProsperitySystems.com or call us at 800-430-1567 to learn more about what we can do to leverage your marketing activities and increase the value your business creates. Show less