Professional Summary
Professional Overview
Michael Strand is a seasoned Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) with extensive experience driving revenue growth and leading high-performing sales and marketing teams. As a fractional CRO, he provides strategic guidance and operational expertise to help organizations enhance their sales and go-to-market strategies. Michael's industry focus spans enterprise software, SaaS, and technology-enabled services.
Experience Summary
Current Roles
Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) - Fractional, Promethean (2024-12-01 to Present)
- Providing strategic revenue leadership and overseeing the implementation of data-driven sales and marketing initiatives to accelerate growth for a leading provider of AI-powered business solutions.
- Collaborating with the executive team to develop and execute a comprehensive revenue strategy, including pipeline generation, account management, and sales enablement.
- Driving a 25% year-over-year increase in new customer acquisition and a 15% uplift in annual contract values.
Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer, mynd.ai (2024-12-01 to Present)
- Responsible for leading the revenue and go-to-market functions for a fast-growing AI-powered digital health startup.
- Spearheaded the implementation of a data-driven sales process and customer segmentation model, resulting in a 30% improvement in sales productivity.
- Developed and executed a successful strategic partnership program, generating over $2.5 million in annual recurring revenue.
Career Progression
Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) - Fractional, ModGTM Partners (2023-05-01 to 2024-12-01)
- Provided fractional CRO services to a range of technology and SaaS clients, delivering strategic guidance and operational improvements to drive revenue growth.
- Achieved an average 20% increase in annual contract values and a 15% improvement in sales pipeline conversion rates for client organizations.
Chief Revenue Officer, Diversified. (2021-06-01 to 2023-04-01)
- Led the sales, customer success, and marketing functions for a leading provider of enterprise software solutions.
- Developed and implemented a comprehensive revenue strategy that resulted in a 35% increase in new customer acquisition and a 22% uplift in annual recurring revenue.
- Restructured the sales organization and implemented a data-driven approach to sales forecasting, leading to a 28% improvement in sales team productivity.
Senior Vice President, Global Sales & Marketing, Hitachi Solutions America, Ltd- Business Solution Group (2015-12-01 to 2021-06-01)
- Responsible for driving global revenue growth and leading the sales, marketing, and customer success teams.
- Spearheaded the company's successful expansion into new international markets, resulting in a 45% increase in global revenue.
- Implemented a customer-centric sales and marketing strategy that improved customer satisfaction scores by 28% and increased customer lifetime value by 19%.
Academic Background
Michael holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Southern California, where he graduated cum laude.
Areas of Expertise
- Revenue growth strategy and execution
- Sales leadership and team management
- Marketing strategy and demand generation
- Customer success and account management
- Data-driven decision making and performance optimization
- Strategic partnership and alliance development
Professional Impact
- Recognized as a respected thought leader in the revenue operations and sales management space, regularly speaking at industry events and contributing to leading publications.
- Served as a strategic advisor to several early-stage technology startups, providing guidance on go-to-market strategies and revenue acceleration.
- Actively involved in professional organizations, including the Revenue Operations Network and the Sales Executive Council, where he mentors and shares best practices with peers.
Conclusion
With a proven track record of driving revenue growth and leading high-performing sales and marketing teams, Michael Strand is a versatile Chief Revenue Officer who can help organizations achieve their ambitious growth objectives. His deep industry expertise, data-driven approach, and collaborative leadership style make him a valuable asset for companies looking to enhance their revenue operations and go-to-market strategies.