University of Nottingham

Y Combinator

Marketing Technology Specialist & Software Founder: CRM, Email Marketing, Marketing Automation

I founded Connectably software in February 2017 (launched June 2018). It is a niche sales and marketing software for small B2B or B2C service businesses. I self-funded the product development and designed it to help business owners to systemise their business more simply, quicker and in a more connected, hosted and secure way, providing:✓ CRM & Lead Management✓ Email Marketing & Automation✓ Appointment Scheduling✓ Proposal Building Capabilities✓ Reporting✓ Integrations and partnerships with popular platforms like Xero, GoCardless, Stripe, GSuite, Office365, ZoomConnectably is how Xero-using service and trades businesses inexpensively simplify disconnected sales, marketing & finance processes so they serve their clients more professionally and get paid quicker.Visit <a href="https://connectably.com/free-trial">https://connectably.com/free-trial</a> to see the demo and sign up for a free 14-day trial.

Connectably

Founder

I helped over 250 small business owners in the UK, US and Australia to understand, implement and thrive with off-the-shelf small business CRM, email marketing, marketing automation and integrated software so that they grow in a more controlled and predictable way. Customers told me my main strengths are the 'get it done' approach I take and the way I immerse myself into understanding their objectives and addressing their challenges to see businesses succeed. These are some of the things I've helped businesses to do:✓ Develop an automation mindset and strategy✓ Establish meaningful engagement with leads, prospects and clients✓ Implement a ‘no lost leads’ follow-up strategy✓ Get paid more quickly✓ Automate at scale, profitably✓ Implement software including Infusionsoft, Keap, ActiveCampaign, CampaignMonitor, Xero, GoCardless, Stripe, Google AdWords, Facebook Ads, Wordpress

Gareth Everson

Marketing Systems Specialist

Following the birth of our first child, I invested in Expense Reduction Analysts as a franchisee business owner in January 2007. It is a consulting franchise specialising in procurement management. I developed a business model that saw me becoming recognised as an expert in IT procurement. The business involved managing client reviews of IT assets and forecasted ongoing investments and liabilities. Success was measured on reducing the impact of ongoing investments, liabilities and operational costs through supplier review and management. I developed software and processes to review and reduce clients' IT capital and operational cost bases, working closely with client and supplier teams to achieve and measure positive results.  Within the franchise organisation itself, I acted as an IT strategy advisor to ERA's Advisory Board and digital marketing expert on the Marketing Advisory Council and was named New Consultant of the Year in 2007 by the Expense Reduction Analysts network.  Clients included: Paul Smith, National Pharmacy AssociationKey skills: ✓ Marketing and Technology Strategy (definition, execution and management)✓ CRM✓ Technology Asset & Total Cost of IT Ownership Reviews✓ Hardware, Software (Microsoft & Enterprise) & 3rd Party Support Procurement✓ Procurement Management

Expense Reduction Analysts UK & Ireland

IT Procurement & Marketing Technology Manager

I managed project delivery teams on systems integration projects on large-scale, complex business transformation programmes in the UK and in Europe in challenging environments and timeframes. I was recognised at Accenture as a subject matter expert in information management, merchandising and marketing technologies in the retail sector. Clients included: Sainsbury's, Karstadt, Littlewoods, WHSmith, New Look.Key skills:✓ Retail Merchandising Systems (Oracle Retail)✓ Retail Pricing and Promotions Systems (DemandTec)✓ Project & Programme Management✓ Project Management (Agile & Waterfall)✓ Commercial✓ Technology Implementation Management✓ Data architecture, information management, data migration I joined Accenture as a graduate hire in 1999 and worked in fast-paced, demanding technology project management and consulting positions, gaining promotions from Analyst to Consultant to Manager (level 1 to level 3) positions in a  seven and a half year period with the company.

Accenture

Project Manager & Systems Implementation Expert

Sandwich year placement role in Allianz's Marketing Research department, investigating localised market development opportunities by postcode area following insurance market liberalisation which allowed European insurers to operate throughout the entire European Union ('single passport'):✓ Local market trends and opportunities analysis.✓ Competitor research.✓ Advertising awareness tracking.