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Manfred Meyer
Co-Founder & Co-CEO at Opontia - We're hiring!
Professional Background
Manfred Meyer is a distinguished internet entrepreneur, known for his visionary approach to building a robust e-commerce group focused on the dynamic regions of Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. With an impressive career that spans across several influential positions in top-tier e-commerce companies, Manfred has proven himself to be a leader, innovator, and strategist in the online marketplace. His early exposure to the massive scalability of e-commerce platforms while working at Lazada, a subsidiary of Alibaba, laid the foundation for his understanding of how businesses can thrive in the digital economy.
During his tenure at Lazada, Manfred successfully built and scaled an impressive portfolio of over 500 brands and 50,000 sellers across Southeast Asia. His experience allowed him to witness firsthand the transformational power of e-commerce for businesses, leading to increased revenues and market reach. This extensive background set the stage for his next endeavor — the founding of Opontia.
As the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Opontia, Manfred is focused on acquiring and scaling online brands within the Middle Eastern and African markets. His entrepreneurial spirit and expertise in e-commerce strategies enable Opontia to leverage technology and innovative approaches to foster growth and success among the regional businesses it partners with. His dedication to enhancing the e-commerce landscape in emerging markets is not only ambitious but also impactful, as he aims to empower local entrepreneurs and stimulate economic growth.
Education and Achievements
Manfred's educational journey began at WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business), where he pursued a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and Management. The rigorous curriculum honed his analytical skills and provided him with a comprehensive understanding of business operations, setting an excellent foundation for his future ventures in the fast-paced world of e-commerce.
In addition to his academic achievements, Manfred's career highlights reflect his commitment to excellence and innovation. Before his current role at Opontia, he served as the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder at Next Commerce MENA, where he tailored e-commerce solutions for the unique needs of the Middle Eastern and North African markets. His leadership there played a critical role in expanding the company’s reach, enhancing customer engagement, and improving operational efficiencies.
Earlier in his career, Manfred held pivotal roles including Chief Commercial Officer at International Ecommerce Holding and Chief Marketplace Officer and Senior Vice President at Lazada Group. His diverse experience reflects a strong expertise in marketplace dynamics, brand development, and digital marketing strategies, positioning him as a sought-after leader in the e-commerce domain. Furthermore, he began his professional journey in finance as a Fixed Income Sales specialist at Erste Group Bank AG, which gives him a strong analytical background in understanding market trends and fiscal responsibility.
Achievements
Some of Manfred's notable accomplishments include the exceptional growth and scaling of businesses under his guidance at Lazada, which involved not only the development of significant operational frameworks but also enhancing the user experience and marketplace capabilities in a competitive environment. His work has contributed significantly to making e-commerce more accessible and lucrative for small and medium-sized enterprises throughout Southeast Asia.
At Opontia, Manfred continues to make waves. Through strategic acquisitions and targeted scaling tactics, he is enhancing the visibility and profitability of e-commerce brands in the Middle East and Africa – a region ripe for growth and innovation. His ability to identify market trends and respond accurately is a cornerstone of his business strategy, leading the charge in transforming how e-commerce operates in these vibrant markets. As he leads Opontia toward new heights, his focus remains steadfast on empowering local entrepreneurs and fostering a thriving digital economy.
With his blend of educational credentials, diverse experience across different roles, and a deep-seated passion for e-commerce, Manfred Meyer stands out as a key player in shaping the future of online retail in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
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Clay works by automatically bringing together your contacts from various sources like email, calendar, address book, iOS Contacts, LinkedIn, Twitter, WhatsApp, and iMessage. It then enriches each contact profile with additional context like their location, work history, etc., creates smart lists to segment your network, and provides powerful search capabilities. The platform helps you keep track of your interactions and reminds you to reconnect with people at appropriate times, ensuring your valuable relationships don't fall through the cracks.
Clay offers several powerful features including:
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Clay is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Clay beneficial.
Clay offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Clay offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Clay's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
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