John Narraway
Currently working as Principal Consultant at Narraway & Co. Consulting.
| Headline: | Innocent Bystander |
| Skills: | Business, Entrepreneurship, Languages, Leadership, Management, Marketing, Sales |
| Groups: | BSBDC Global E-Week Rocket Pitch Challenge |
| Interested in: | Helping friends, Meeting new people, Professional opportunities |
| Schools: | Harvard Business School |
FULL BIO
Canadian by birth (June 29, 1971) and a Bermudian, John Narraway has a long–standing love of technology.
Over the past decade he has been involved in numerous businesses and task forces focused on the impact of technology on traditional business models. His involvement has further included analysing the benefits and implications of the digital economy in Bermuda.
A natural leader and business minded marketer, John held business management positions in two of Canada’s premier and most creative marketing agencies and has been involved at a senior level with several start–up telecommunications and technology companies. In the case of an e–commerce credit card processing start–up, he helped establish offices in multiple countries carrying out market entry strategies that were developed and implemented in conjunction with McKinsey and Co.
In 2005 Mobility Ltd, a GSM carrier in need of an overhaul, contracted John for two years as Chief Operating Officer. Within that time the $14 million business was made profitable through a $4 million bottom line turn around and over 20% growth to the subscriber base. During these two years he led the entire re–branding of Mobility to M3 Wireless, including the roll out of innovative services such as BlackBerry and easyConnect WiMax service. Furthermore, he was instrumental in an organisational restructuring that allowed for the recruitment of new management in key roles and expansion through new retail partners. Presently, M3
Wireless is now headed in the right direction and is seen as one of Bermuda’s premier wireless carriers. The M3 turn around is a true success story of branding, product strategy and organisational leadership.
John frequently travels to Japan, China and Korea to research emerging wireless technologies. Having spent considerable time with carriers, handset manufacturers and content providers in Asia, John’s business models are formulated and deployed based on successful strategies witnessed in the Far East mixed with the local market expertise. This is a winning formula that sets his telecom successes apart from the crowd.
WORK EXPERIENCE
| Employer: | Narraway & Co. Consulting |
| Position: | Principal Consultant |
| Time period: | January 2007 - Present |
| Description: | Formed consultancy after identifying an opportunity in Bermuda and around the world for effective business development and brand management. Managed a team of international consultants to deliver local solutions.
Leading the client engagement role with a diverse range clients in Government, Hospitality and Retail sectors. Projects of note: • Several analysis projects to identify and substantiate Bermuda’s e-Readiness • Project/Event management of TechWeek Event in 2007 and 2008 • Bid team to secure WITSA 2009 Conference for Bermuda • International marketing events/activities for Dept. of E-Comm • Rebranding and Market Entry Strategy for iStore • Brand/Service concept redesign for Rosemont |
| Employer: | Lyter Group |
| Position: | Principal Consultant |
| Time period: | January 2007 - Present |
| Description: | Formed consultancy after identifying an opportunity in Bermuda and around the world for effective business development and brand management. Managing a team of international consultants to deliver local solutions. Leading the client engagement role with a diverse range clients in Insurance, Government, Hospitality and Retail sectors. Projects of note:
Project management of re-writing legislation for Dept. of E-Commerce Developing new apparel business - winner of Small Business Start-up Competition Local and International marketing events/activities for Dept. of E-Commerce Branding development and concept redesign for Rosemont Hotel Event organiser for TEDxBermuda Project 2011 |
| Employer: | Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd |
| Position: | Vice President - Corporate Marketing & Communications |
| Time period: | November 2008 - November 2010 |
| Description: | Reporting to the CEO, role was overseeing the global marketing efforts of the 10 subsidiary companies along with building the brand awareness of Argo Group. Managed a core team of communications, event and marketing professionals in several locations. Served on a senior executive team to design a shared services model in order to maximise cost efficiencies across the group. Other responsibilities included:
International marketing and media relations strategy including PR, conferences and advertising Developed and implemented social media strategy to effectively utilize LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter Oversaw International branding research and trademarking for the company’s aggressive expansion |
| Employer: | M3 Wireless Ltd. |
| Position: | Chief Operating Officer |
| Time period: | January 2005 - December 2007 |
| Description: | Lead the financial and cultural turn around of Mobility Limited. Spearheaded re–structuring programme to create the new M3 Wireless. Company results improved drastically within the two years to attain $1 million profit from a $3.5 million loss in the previous years. this was accomplished by the following:
• Recruited and managed a new and diverse senior management team • Formed retail expansion partnership with Phoenix Stores • Led union negotiations with BPSU and BIU for collective agreement renewals. • Oversaw implementation of revenue assurance programme and issued new policies and procedures. Oversaw network expansion and upgrades • Facilitated strategic planning sessions for management teams • Led market entry strategies for BlackBerry, easyConnect WiMAX service • Developed and executed the Brand Strategy for M3Wireless |
| Employer: | Bermuda Digital Communications Ltd. / CellularONE |
| Position: | Sales, Marketing and Product Development Manager |
| Time period: | January 2001 - December 2005 |
| Description: | Increased company revenues through new services, enhanced roaming partners and revised long distance agreements. Gross revenue grew from $5 million a year to more than $20 million. Responsible for the development of the CellularONE brand in the Bermuda market. Activities leading to success included
• Managed department of 3 staff who had ultimate accountability for product innovation, international roaming, corporate sales, advertising, publicity, business development and customer retention. • Secured numerous international roaming agreements, • Completed several research projects on consumer positioning, • Designed and launched innovative new CDMA 3G services (The Bull, Photo Messaging) • Designed and oversaw remodeling of 3 retail stores |
| Employer: | Promisant Ltd. |
| Position: | Director of Marketing |
| Time period: | January 2000 - December 2001 |
| Description: | Responsible for the strategic development of Sales and Marketing programmes for Promisant’s global epayment and m-commerce transaction services. Successfully planned and managed all communications, marketing and promotional activities for the company at all levels of the enterprise. Initiatives included:
• Naming and Logo development and international trademarking with Landor (Boston) • Developed Promisant’s Internet, extranet and intranet environments with iXL (Atlanta). • Successfully managed a Bermuda and Asia client base through the entire sales cycle. • Developed global market entry strategies in conjunction with McKinsey and Co. (US and UK) |
| Employer: | SolutionInc Bermuda Ltd. |
| Position: | Vice President, Founding Director |
| Time period: | January 1998 - December 1999 |
| Description: | Local technology start-up company that successfully won numerous contracts for the installation of I.P. based commercial data/telecommunications infrastructure during a period in time where there was significant hesitation for business to have internet access in their companies. Effectively worked with suppliers and vendors to develop and maintain client Internet marketing programmes for local and international companies based in Bermuda. |
| Employer: | AAC/ Saatchi & Saatchi Bermuda |
| Position: | Senior Account Director |
| Time period: | January 1996 - December 1998 |
| Description: | Responsible for business management, strategic planning and implementation of integrated marketing programmes that involved; marketing, advertising, promotions, special events, public relations and investor relations material and annual reports. Client roster included; AIG, AIG Risk Management Group, IPCRe Limited, Starr Excess Liability, The Bermuda Telephone Company Limited, BTC Mobility and Terra Nova Insurance Group. Where appropriate worked with the Saatchi office in London for clients with UK offices. |
| Employer: | MacLaren McCann (Erickson) Advertising Inc. (Toronto) |
| Position: | Senior Account Executive |
| Time period: | January 1994 - December 1996 |
| Description: | Responsible for the planning, management and execution of the first electronic card based customer loyalty and promotional programme for General Motors. Produced a series of 8 nation–wide launch events to announce new customer retention initiatives and allow the CEO of GM to hold Town hall style meetings with dealers across the entire country. |
| Employer: | Promanad Communications Inc. (Toronto) |
| Position: | Senior Account Manager |
| Time period: | January 1992 - December 1994 |
| Description: | Canada’s largest independent marketing agency, in a market of 30 million people implemented national marketing programmes for Bridgestone/Firestone Tires, Sleeman Brewery, General Electric Appliances and the Ontario Lottery Corporation. |
EDUCATION
| University: | Harvard Business School |
| Time period: | 2010 |
| Degree: | Customised Leadership Programme |
| University: | Harvard Business School |
| Time period: | 2009 |
| Degree: | B2B Marketing Strategy |
INFORMATION
| Memberships: | 2005 – Present e–Commerce Advisory Board – Bermuda Government
2002 – 2005 Board of Directors – Bermuda Chamber of Commerce 2004 – 2005 Co-Chair – CDMA Development Group – Future Generation Network Team 2002 – 2005 Member – CDMA Development Group – International Roaming Team 1999 – 2001 Chairman – Bermuda Chamber of Commerce, Business Technology Division 1997 – 2000 Sandy’s Rotary Club 1992 – 1995 Chairman – Loyalist College, Canada – Curriculum Advisory Committee |
