Prole

I am experienced in managing complex Sales Management & Business Development projects, at all
levels of the commercial spectrum, for independent manufacturing, distribution and sales companies
from 500k to 350m. With extensive European experience and multiple languages, my excellent
communication skills, active participation and inuential analysis bring focus and achieve results.
Experience
Freelancer, Builder & Father, Me Inc - Swindon, UK, March 2013 - Date
After 10 years in the French Alpes, Ive moved my family back to the UK. Ive completely renovated two houses,
driven a truck 5000km for removals and organised all the logistics of the move. Ive worked for clients on a
freelance / contract basis, while allowing me to focus on being a stay-at-home Daddy for my French daughter
during her transition to life in the UK. A break from real-work and a hunt for a project to challenge me to the next
level of my career.
General Manager, Ideation Industrial Co - Taiwan/France, March 2012 - January 2013
I was in daily contact with 20> Asian vendors, with whom I negotiated, costed and sampled 1500 SKUs, and had
responsibility for two designers and three administration assistants on three continents. Executed a proactive social
media program, as well as copy-writing the Distributor catalogues & web copy. Sales presentations to worlds
biggest P&A buyers, including organisation of major trade-shows and distributor liason.
Restaurant Assistant Manager, le Perroquet - Grenoble, France, April 2011 - March 2012
This was a completely new experience for me, but I found it very rewarding and challenging to invest in the opening
year of a small local restaurant. My natural focus on customer service, attention to detail and negotiation abilities
were paramount during this time, and we were able to comfortably beat our rst year targets for sales and
protability.
Sales Manager, Hotlines / Chain Reaction Cycles - Edinburgh & Belfast UK, June 2010 - March 2011
Short term contract with responsibility for management and timely completion of Senior Sales Management
functions, including Marketing and nancial planning, for a team of ve Outside Sales Reps, and an ofce sales
team of six, reporting directly to the Directors of this 350M pa company. Reorganized & simplied company
systems, providing improved clarity to the handling 40+ brands which then achieved protability targets and broke
the 10M GM barrier in IBD sales.
Owner, Velofello Retail - Grenoble, France, March 2007 - September 2010
I saw an opportunity to open a small bicycle shop in an afuent Alpine market town that no longer had one. We
specialised in repair, sales and service of high value road and MTB bikes to a eclectic clientele of Pro-riders, Le
Mans & F1 stars and old grandmothers. I really appreciated the face-to-face aspect of this, and built the reputation
with extensive and well-received Twitter & Facebook content strategy to drive awareness.
COO & Product Development, Mountain Cycle Inc - Grenoble, France, September 2006 - May 2010
Responsible for planning and completion of all main business functions, including sales, marketing, forecasting &
nance, for this small (six employee) global organization specialising in the fabrication of very technical bicycles.
Global level of responsibility ranging from the conception of products, with regular travel to Asia for sourcing &
Quality Controll. Team Manager for the World Cup winning Team & Marketing activity such as Press liaison & trade
shows / races / events. International sales management of existing & new accounts which achieved 300% growth in
three years.
Brand & International Sales Manager, Vario Bikes SARL - Grenoble, France, July 2004 - August 2006
I faced considerable challenges when I took on the line management of all International areas of the business
including Distributor Sales & Asian Sourcing. I oversaw the factory production & sourcing schedule, as well as the
development of prototypes & samples. I introduced challenging new working practices to the team, improving the
factory standards to CEN and ISO9001 compliance. I managed an extensive International Sales & Marketing
program, winning over valuable new customers for this French IBD bicycle brand with sales of 8M Euros.
Brand Manager, Shimano / Madison Cycle PLC London, England January 2000 - May 2004
Working as key member of the Buyers and Sales teams, responsibilities included the selection, pricing and
promotion of 15,000+ product lines, educating the sales team and reporting to senior management. I increased
Krien Dawson
Bicycle Industry Sales, Product & Marketing Manager with
wide-ranging experience of B2B account management.
Address: 30 Drew Street, Swindon SN2 2HP, UK
Tel: +44 7446 162213 Skype: kriendawson
Mail: krien@velofello.com
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/krien
Twitter: www.twitter.com/velofello
sales of Shimano P&A by 30% year-on-year to top 12M p/a and was given added responsibility for the new
PowerSports division, which included the selection technical motocross clothing & accessories.
Deputy Sales Manager, Mud Dock Cycleworks Bristol, England January 1998 - January 2000
Team member of the most distinctive bike shops in the UK, and a pioneer in city cycling. Responsibilities included
sales, team management & events during the period we became the top account for several prestigious brands. I
also looked after warranty, purchasing, running our promotional weekend events and the very successful race team.
Skills

Communication & Negotiation: I have dened ideas & presented business proposals to an international mix of
clients, vendors and partners, in uent English, French & Dutch. At Hotlines I promoted an entirely new approach
to some key sales sticking points and validated the solutions across remote departments. My amiable working
style helped break through real barriers with our partners/retailers and resulted in increased sales with lower
costs & risk.

Computer & Numerical skills: Being very logical, Ive become highly competent in Excel, for calculating multi-
currency bills of materials, import & distributor pricing, duties and distribution costs, and sales or rebate
commission. In all my roles Ive cultivated a deep understanding of how manufacturing and logistics work, and
how to best use these resources throughout the organisation.

Teamwork & Leadership: As project leader I have supervised teams, co-ordinated them efciently across multiple
continents. With a conscientious team player attitude Ive delegated work, led working groups and motivated our
partners to aim high. Working with the Princes Trust as a business mentor has allowed me to explore yet another
style of leadership, through coaching young entrepreneurs through the development of their own business plans.

Problem Solving & Gentle Persuasion: Having evaluated many projects, Ive formed ambitious proposals, and with
my analytical skills have adapted the plans to resolve slippage or change. Ive then reported on the progress and
determined the best key actions for completion. When I began at Vario the company was in disarray, and within
two business cycles I brought around real change in every department, leading to increased output & sales,
reduced cost and more efcient purchasing.

Initiative & Business Knowledge: Using my experience condently, and based on my enterprising & hardworking
ethos, Ive qualied partners and projects, then identied & budgeted accurately, allowing the concepts
generated by the team to achieve their targets, and delivered them on time and on budget. As the main
stakeholder at Mountain Cycle I re-wrote the entire business manual, steering the brand in a new direction and
achieved our aim of selling the company after three years.

Development & Perseverance: I have been able to improve products, sales, purchasing, marketing and logistics
operations, and transformed the organisation of Trade Shows, product launches and completed new product
introductions. While at Shimano my versatile & resourceful management skills were proven when we set about
adding an entirely new revenue stream to our existing business. I dened and maintained the project plan, sales &
marketing budget and the development of a range of very technical accessories.
Other

Fluent English & French, Rusty Dutch & German

Full Driving License, zero point or penalties

Highly PC literate: Excel master, strong SAGE & CRM, good knowledge of design, video & web programs.

Princes Trust Business Mentor, School Governor (12m Budget), Serial charity bike rider.
Education

Henry Box School, Witney - GCSEs Grade B&C

West Oxfordshire Technical College - HND Technical Draughting

Referrals
I've known Krien for many years, through his jobs with Madison, Vario and Mountain Cycle. He's passionate about
the bike industry. He's also a font of knowledge and has helped me many times.
Carlton Reid, Editor, BikeBiz.com & Quickrelease.tv & Bikeforall.net
Krien was a diligent and always professional member of staff and an asset to the business. I have watched his
career develop and have been impressed by his self motivation and determination. He's a good guy
Dominic Langan, Chief Executive at Madison