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Paul Labay
Digital Operations Lead at Sundance Institute
Professional Background
Paul Labay is a distinguished product management executive renowned for his expertise in educational technology and his significant contributions to digital product strategy over a span of 17 years. His career highlights reflect an impressive track record of driving remarkable revenue growth for multiple organizations, particularly in the spheres of higher education and eLearning. His impactful leadership at esteemed companies such as Wiley and Kaplan illustrates his ability to transform educational models and enhance learning experiences in the digital age.
Throughout his career, Paul has successfully transformed the business model at Wiley, leading to a substantial increase in digital revenue share from 20% to a remarkable 65%. His strategic vision aided in boosting the Higher-Ed platform’s revenue by an impressive 47%. Further, under his leadership, Wiley's Ed-Tech product lines saw a revenue growth of up to 33% during the years of 2016 and 2017. At Kaplan, he showcased his entrepreneurial spirit by driving the company’s digital product revenue from zero to over $25 million annually and increasing the product portfolio by an astonishing twenty-fold.
Paul is not only a champion for revenue growth but has also prioritized delivering outstanding customer satisfaction. His adept management skills led to a customer satisfaction score that exceeded the industry standard, achieving a Net Promoter Score (NPS) that was five times the average while simultaneously improving customer engagement by an impressive 200%. This dual focus on user experience and operational excellence has positioned him as a leader in the EdTech arena.
He played a pivotal role in launching Kaplan and Wiley's adaptive learning platforms, witnessing over four million questions answered within three years. Managing platforms at scale, Paul ensured that annual users surpassed 500,000, with concurrent users reaching up to 25,000. His ability to inspire teams has been recognized as he has led global teams of over 60 professionals, experiencing minimal turnover and nurturing talent that has advanced within the organizations he has been part of.
Paul’s thought leadership in educational technology has led to numerous invitations to be a speaker and panelist at respected industry conferences, including the prestigious Frankfurt Book Fair. His insights and experiences are sought after, particularly around digital product management and employee development.
Education and Achievements
Paul Labay commenced his academic journey at Wesleyan University, where he studied a BA in English and Music. This diverse educational background has undoubtedly influenced his holistic approach to product management, allowing for the intersection of creativity and analytical skill in tech-driven environments. His formative years were spent at Dwight Morrow High School, which laid the groundwork for his exceptional communication skills, as seen in his career achievements.
His achievements in product management and educational technology have been substantial and varied, ranging from initiating large-scale digital transformations to enhancing operational efficiencies. He has successfully held various senior-level positions throughout his career, each adding a layer of expertise to his profile. His trajectory at Kaplan Test Prep & Admissions, where he climbed from the Executive Director of eLearning to Vice President and Director of Digital Delivery, showcases his commitment to career advancement and impact in the educational sector. Similarly, at Wiley, he held the positions of Senior Vice President of Product Management and Vice President of Digital Delivery, cementing his reputation as a key player in shaping the future of education through digital products.
Achievements
- Significant Revenue Growth: Paul's strategic initiatives have led to exceptional growth statistics, including a 47% revenue increase for Wiley’s Higher-Ed platform and transforming Kaplan’s digital revenue into a $25 million powerhouse.
- Customer Satisfaction Enhancements: Achieved a customer satisfaction level five times the NPS average and improved customer engagement metrics by 200%.
- Platform Launch Success: Successfully launched adaptive learning platforms for Kaplan and Wiley, ensuring user engagement through offering over 4 million questions within three years.
- Operational Excellence: Managed platforms with significant user bases and high traffic, showcasing his capabilities in overseeing large-scale digital operations.
- Thought Leadership in EdTech: Recognized as an industry thought leader, with multiple speaking engagements at reputable conferences, including the Frankfurt Book Fair.
- Team Leadership: Guided global teams effectively and nurtured talent through developmental programs, leading to minimal staff turnover and numerous promotions amongst team members.
tags':['EdTech', 'Product Management', 'Digital Strategy', 'Revenue Growth', 'Customer Satisfaction', 'Learning Platforms', 'Team Management', 'Thought Leader', 'Adaptative Learning', 'Educational Technology','Wiley', 'Kaplan', 'Professional Development'],
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Clay offers many advantages over other personal CRMs. Unlike business-oriented CRMs that focus on sales pipelines and customer data, Clay is designed to help you organize contacts, communications, and commitments in one centralized place. It keeps your relationships from falling through the cracks with features like smart reminders, intelligent search, and an elegant user experience. Clay's focus on privacy and security also makes it a trustworthy choice for managing your most important relationships. Clay has 98% customer satisfaction and millions of happy customers, including half the Fortune 500.
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.
Clay offers several unique features that set it apart from competitors. Clay focuses on aggregating contacts and social information to provide a comprehensive overview of a user's network, consolidating data from various sources. Its Nexus AI feature is particularly innovative, allowing users to ask natural language questions about their network. Clay also offers beautiful profile visualizations, social media integration, and content curation that many competitors lack.
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