Panos Playanakos
Biography
PANAGIOTIS (PANOS) PLAYANAKOS
688 Brown Avenue, Apt. 1, Manchester, NH 03103 U.S.A.
(603) 682-3766
Business Development - Sales & Marketing Management - Project Management
Senior business leader, who has strong background in successful strategic planning, business development, sales and marketing management, domestically and internationally. Proven ability to successfully analyze an organization's critical business requirements, identify deficiencies and potential opportunities and develop, apply and manage innovative, cost-effective solutions for enhancing competitiveness, increasing revenues and improving customer service offerings.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Business Development - International Business - Marketing Strategy & Management - Direct Marketing Management - Sales Strategy & Management - Distribution Channels Development - Project Management - Organizational Development - Customer Relationship Management - Partnerships & Alliances - Retail Chain Operations Management - Insurance & Bank-assurance Management.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
2009 to present SELF EMPLOYED, Manchester, NH Business Consultant
Consulting businesses and entrepreneurs in revenue/profit margin improvement, business development and marketing practices. Projects for clients, primarily in the automotive, construction and retail industries, include:
Development of business and marketing plans and management of their implementation. Business development advisory services/activities creating new profit centers and distribution channels leading to additional new sales volume and improved profit margin. Operational and managerial advisory services/activities to prevent and/or resolve issues effecting the operational efficiency, client relations and the financial results.
Constantly enriching knowledge and skills in terms of new professional tools, trends and concepts in order to maximize effectiveness and my clients' benefits.
1997 to 2008 BUSINESS LINK, Athens, GREECE Director of Operations
Directed various projects (Business/Market/Strategy Development, Operations, Re-organization, Marketing, etc.) in both, the Private and the Government sectors. Geographical areas of activity included Greece, USA, North Europe and the United Arab Emirates. Among those projects were:
Adviser to the Minister of Transportation & Communication of Greece during the preparation and the execution of the Athens Olympic Games 2004. Adviser to the President and the Managing Director of the Greek Railroad Organization. Initiated, established and directed for several years the operations of the Graduate School of Business Program (M.B.A.) of the Southern New Hampshire University in Athens, Greece. Completed successfully an extensive organizational and financial audit of the Southern New Hampshire University’s operations in the United Arab Emirates. As an independent Insurance Broker insured all the credit cards of Xios Bank. Upon the bank’s merging with the Piraeus Bank, insured all the credit cards of the Piraeus Financial Group. As an independent Real Estate Broker promoted for sale hotels, commercial land and buildings to domestic and international investors.
Due to the economic crisis in Greece, repatriated to the US in December 2008.
1993 to 1996 CIGNA INSURANCE COMPANY OF EUROPE, Athens, GREECE
Regional Manager of Greece, Cyprus, M. East & N. Africa
Managed the development, sales, administration and customer service of Accident & Health, Bank-assurance and other financial products (annuities, etc.) to Banks (Citibank, National Bank, ABN-AMRO, etc.), Credit Cards (Visa, Master Card, AM-EX, Dinners Club, etc.) and industry leading companies in the region of responsibility.
Designed, initiated and managed the implementation of various direct mailings and digital marketing campaigns with very successful results. Developed new markets and distribution networks domestically and internationally. Negotiated profitable strategic alliances and cooperation agreements, including the ones for the establishment of a Front Office in the United Arab Emirates, covering the entire region. Specialized in B2B sales, Direct Marketing, Key Account Management and Customer Relations Management, achieving 58.5% and 35% sales growth for the years 1994 and 1995 respectively.
In 1996, CIGNA down sized the countries of participation globally and focused in the Far East Region. Declined a company offer for a similar position in India or Indonesia.
1992 to 1993 D. A. Ltd., Athens, GREECE Exports Consultant
Developed and managed successfully the exports of menswear apparel products to European shopping catalogs, department stores and wholesalers, by developing a distribution network of brokers, agents and representatives.
1992 to 1993 SATO S.A., Athens, GREECE Division Director
Fulfilled the obligations of a six month contract with this industry leading office furniture manufacturer, by directing the market introduction of the newly established partition systems division of the company called TOP SYSTEM, exceeding the most optimistic corporate sales objective by 20%.
1991 to 1992 GAKIS FASHION S.A., Athens, GREECE Exports Sales Manager
Managed the marketing, sales and distribution of the firm’s designer fashion product lines to the European markets.
Developed and managed an extremely productive distribution network throughout Europe. Directed the activities of domestic and international sales teams, agents and representatives. Negotiated with the buyers of most of the major retailers and shopping catalogs of Europe. Organized and managed the successful participation of the company in many international exhibitions, shows and events (CPD, Igedo, Interselection, Intermoda, etc.). Achieved sales growth of 275%.
1988 to 1991 VIDEO STATIONS INC., Nashua, NH General Manager
Managed the entire retail chain, consisting of 6 main stores and 48 satellite locations in all the states of the New England region, specializing in the sale and rental of Audio / Video electronic equipment and software.
Planned, organized and controlled all key operations. Designed and administered procedures for hiring and training management and personnel. Developed and applied successful marketing strategies and administrative policies. Upgraded the company to a lucrative investment opportunity status. Negotiated the sale of all the stores to a number of individual investors, with extremely beneficial terms for the company’s shareholders. Operated under contract as consultant to all new owners, providing organizational/operational assistance and problem solving services. Upon contract completion, moved to Athens, Greece.
EDUCATION
Master of Business Administration Degree - Major in Management (G.P.A. 3.87)
SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE UNIVERSITY, Manchester, NH
Bachelor of Business Administration Degree - Major in Marketing
GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY, Atlanta, GA
Associate of Business Administration Degree - Major in Accounting
NATIONAL TECHNICAL & EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE, Athens, GREECE
GENERAL INFORMATION
Married, no children. Retaining the American and the Greek (EU) citizenship. Fluent in Greek, spoken and written. Excellent credit scores. Well versed in information technology hardware and software. Extensive experience in international markets and cultures. Willing and able to travel. No geographical restrictions.