Sarah Gkonos
Singapore
Summary
Sales Director with 20 years of successful international sales, account management, and country leadership experience across, Asia, Middle East, Europe and the Caribbean. Focused on key industries such as industrials, tech ,healthcare and consumer sectors. Dedicated to running the Asia commercial team and broader office, increasing the executive network and successfully building and converting a robust pipeline. Skilled at navigating change management and creatively tackling rapidly shifting situations to hit/exceed targets while maintaining positivity and motivation in the office.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
APAC Managing Director Client Services
FrontierView, Oxford Analytica, Dragonfly
08.2017 - Current
- Responsible for successfully running the APAC commercial team across multiple brands for both new business and account management.
- Exceeded >80% GRR average year on year and achieved ARR growth every year, through analyzing sales metrics to identify trends and adjust strategies accordingly.
- Engaged C-suite regional and global executives to help them best leverage our services to solve priority issues, as well as increase the opportunity to up sell and cross sell other brands and services
- Conducted regular meetings with the team to review progress against goals, address challenges, and celebrate successes together.
- Work creatively with the team to reduce sales cycle and move prospects through to contracting stage
- Trained and developed new hires in company processes, product knowledge, customer service, and selling techniques.
- Collaborated with management to develop sales targets and motivating strategies to help the team to exceed expectations consistently.
- Managed daily operations efficiently, ensuring smooth workflow and optimal productivity levels within the team, through multiple transitions.
- Cultivated a positive work environment, fostering strong teamwork and high employee morale.
Founder and Principal
ProTinue Inc.
06.2011 - Current
- Established the company by bringing together three partners with necessary expertise and complimentary competencies
- Collaborated with partners on design and program services to address business resilience needs for potential clients globally
- Marketed and illustrated business continuity concepts to government agencies and private industry resulting in seminars at the American Chamber of Commerce in Cairo and executive training at The American University of Cairo.
APAC Commercial Director
Frontier Strategy Group Singapore
10.2013 - 08.2017
- Successfully exceeded targets by a minimum of 5% every year
- Responsible for identifying and meeting over 300 APAC C-suite executives to discuss subscription partnership and custom project services
- Conduct demonstrations and diagnose specific challenges with senior executives to ensure we are tailoring the right solution to suit the prospects priorities
- Develop the strategy for new business team to network, build and maintain a lead pool of relationships to strengthen ongoing commercial opportunity.
- Experience cold calling senior executive prospects and training new SDR teammates to successfully generate between 15-20 qualified executive meetings per month
Community Relations and Development Coordinator
DCAF (Downtown Contemporary Arts Festival)
09.2010 - 05.2013
- Raised over two million (400,000 USD) Egyptian Pounds to support festival production
- Designed and delivered custom presentations and sponsorship opportunities to corporate executives to introduce the festival and develop new client based marketing solutions
- Facilitated strategic partnerships with local Embassies, business associations and social organizations to yield sponsorships and PR for the festival.
Country Director/Project Manager
Oxford Business Group
10.2006 - 07.2010
- Country manager for projects in Egypt (3 projects), Saudi Arabia, Bulgaria, Malaysia (assisted) and Taiwan (assisted)
- Responsible for successful full cycle production of annual economic overview publication
- Successfully yielded a sales turnover for each project of at least 400,000 Sterling British Pounds
- Developed and maintained a sales and editorial network of over two hundred fifty blue chip executive business persons and top government officials in each project country.
Assistant to Director of Marketing
ING Clarion Real Estate Securities
05.2006 - 10.2006
- Contract position through Ranstad Placement agency for Administrative assistant to Director of Marketing; Assisted Director and Marketing Department with organization of Sales pitches, presentations, and compliance terms.
International Media Sales Consultant
Big Media Group International
05.2004 - 11.2005
- Scheduled over 150 appointments and completed daily interviews with key decision makers (CEO's and Chairmen in the private sector; and Ministers, Presidents and Directors in the public sectors)
- Completed projects in Malta, The Bahamas, Romania, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and Montserrat resulting in over 660,000 USD dollars in sales revenue.
Financial Customer Service Representative
The Vanguard Group
11.2003 - 05.2004
- Fielded over 50 phone account inquiries from Vanguard clients daily
- Administered trades on funds, transfer of money to various accounts and advised on account possibilities and restrictions.
Education
BS in Marketing and International Business -
The Pennsylvania State University
Happy ValleySkills
- Sales Leadership
- Business Development
- Training and mentoring
- Account Management
- Contract Negotiations
- Territory Growth
- Executive Networking
- Event Planning
- Change Management
Languages
Spanish (Intermediate)
Arabic (beginner speaking and writing)
Timeline
APAC Managing Director Client Services
FrontierView, Oxford Analytica, Dragonfly
08.2017 - Current
APAC Commercial Director
Frontier Strategy Group Singapore
10.2013 - 08.2017
Founder and Principal
ProTinue Inc.
06.2011 - Current
Community Relations and Development Coordinator
DCAF (Downtown Contemporary Arts Festival)
09.2010 - 05.2013
Country Director/Project Manager
Oxford Business Group
10.2006 - 07.2010
Assistant to Director of Marketing
ING Clarion Real Estate Securities
05.2006 - 10.2006
International Media Sales Consultant
Big Media Group International
05.2004 - 11.2005
Financial Customer Service Representative
The Vanguard Group
11.2003 - 05.2004
BS in Marketing and International Business -
The Pennsylvania State University
Similar Profiles
Jessica OrrJessica Orr
Senior Healthcare Analyst at FrontierView/FiscalNoteSenior Healthcare Analyst at FrontierView/FiscalNote
Necia QuaifeNecia Quaife
Senior Technician at ALS Analytica LaboratoriesSenior Technician at ALS Analytica Laboratories
KARTHIK SATHEESHKARTHIK SATHEESH
Student Coordinator at AnalyticaStudent Coordinator at Analytica