Abraham Makano
LUSAKA
Summary
Results-driven Consultant with comprehensive experience leading and improving industry operations. Uniquely qualified to navigate rigors of latest standards, specifications and protocols for organizational and regulatory needs fulfillment. Lends complex roadmaps and calls-to-action to regularly achieve ambitious objectives. Motivated professional and adds value to any organization in need of great collaboration, interpersonal and multitasking abilities. Meets tight deadlines.
Overview
1
1
Certification
Work History
Managing Consultant
Metro Consult Limited
LUSAKA, Zambia
2009 - Current
- Managed business develop process.
- Prepared business proposals to clients.
- Evaluated and developed strategic plan.
- Conducted feasibility studies and industry/sector studies.
- Participated in developing training materials and implemented training programs to apply principles of learning and individual differences.
- Developed Training materials and conduct training in Entrepreneurship and Market Systems Development.
- Prepared and Facilitated training on the modules in enterprise management and Feasibility Studies at a workshop for entrepreneurs and implementing agencies. Sixty SMEs participated in this training covering three districts of Ndola, Kitwe and Luanshya.
- Developed and delivered material on access to finance, business planning and entrepreneurship to 100 MSMEs in agro-processing in Kitwe and Lusaka
- Developed teaching materials and lectured to appointed and potential diplomats in Marketing, Trade and Investment Promotion, Tourism Marketing and National Branding and Public Relations, Developed e-learning platform for distance learning students.
- Prepared accurate and concise reports, conveying progress, issues and solutions.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to contribute recommendations and deliver client objectives.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to gain complete understanding of project goals and objectives.
- Mentored associate consultants to encourage enthusiasm toward tasks and responsibilities.
- Identified risks and assessed potential impact, consulting with clients to prepare mitigation plan.
- Developed a Costed Action Plan for SADC Forestry Strategy (2020-2030).
- Developed business plan to establish micro-financing for climate change resilience for small-scale farmers and SMEs in Kafue and Barotse basins of Zambia. The operational manual benefited 40 members in small scale enterprises in fishing in Itezhi tezhi district.
- Facilitated and developed 2018-2022 Strategic Plan for Dynamic Concept Limited, a Corporate Governance and Leadership Development company.
- Conducted a rapid assessment of reskilling and upskilling needs arising from effects of the COVID.
- Team Leader-Institutional Assessment and mapped Return and Reintegration Services and Community Profiled of areas of Return of migrants in four countries (Malawi, Mozambique South Africa and Zambia).
- Undertook a Labour Market Study to identify opportunities for Youth Employment and Self Employment through skill development and small business development in Petauke and Chadiza, Eastern Province of Zambia.
- Conducted a market survey for the tourism industry on the Role of the Hostels Board of Zambia in the promotion of Tourism in Zambia.
- Supervised the development of the list for research respondents and supervised field staff for an automotive products market research in Zambia.
- Developed a trade and investment profile on the Zambian apiculture/beekeeping sector which included production, structure, commercial activities, value chain and government support, capacity building support provided by external partners, trade and investment opportunities, investment policy framework.
- Coordinated activities of 12 sub-committees formed for the preparation of Zambia’s hosting of the 134th Assembly of the Inter-parliamentary Union (IPU). Supervised 12 professionals in Construction, Hospitality, IT, Marketing, Finance, HR, Research, Health, Security, Transport and Logistics and Procurement.
- Carried out field research, stakeholder consultations and drafted a Business Process Analysis (BPA) study report for the honey sector in Zambia that focused on identifying the main obstacles, how it impacted on the private sector and made recommendations / measures to improve the business process and/or to-be business process models.
- Conducted an in-depth operational diagnosis of the Zambia Export Development Fund (ZEDEF) current structure, mandate, service delivery capabilities and operational model and identified weaknesses and overlaps that needed to be addressed in order to strengthen fund service delivery, growth, performance, cost efficiency, sustainability and fund independence
- Carried out a local and international market feasibility for the Modernization of the Mulungushi International Conference Centre (MICC), which included conferences and events, hotels, office parks and shopping malls for the Consortium of Developers
- Developed training material and trained participants under the “Promoting Intra-Regional trade in Eastern Africa Zambia” in project cycle management aimed at strengthening Trade Support Institutes (TSIs) in the apiculture/beekeeping sector in Zambia and conducting one-on-one coaching sessions in project management.
- Carried out a detailed market and distribution channels analysis, and sales-force productivity on the Copperbelt province for a market leader in the supply of table eggs. The study was conducted in Ndola, Luanshya, Kitwe, Chingola and Lubumbashi, DRC. Implementation of the recommendations increased sales by 60% and rationalized use of transport by mapping out high demand areas.
- Prepared an Investment Plan to support small-scale organic farmers.
- Prepared feasibility Study for Pineapple processing in Mwinilunga for MSMEs. The feasibility study once implemented was going to impact 3,000 small-scale farmers, and attract an investment of US3 million in capital expenditure to install a pineapple processing plant in Mwinilunga district.
- Carried out a value chain analysis and analyzed local, regional and international markets (in Zambia EU, USA Japan market and South Africa) for organic products; honey, pineapple, rice and groundnuts.
- Team Leader/Entrepreneurship Development Consultant – conducted a micro Enterprise for designing Business Models for OVC Care Givers.
- Prepared strategic plan and business plan for National Housing Authority (NHA), to invest in housing and mixed-use properties in Zambia and position the company as a preferred real estate developer.
Fundraising Manager
Zambia Scholarship Fund
St Louis, O, USA
2008 - 2009
- Maintained fundraising database to produce accurate monthly reports for board of directors.
- Created and wrote content for annual fund brochures, direct mail appeals, e-solicitations and phonathon scripts.
- Generated financial resources for organization through corporate and individual sponsorships, grants and special events.
- Cultivated strong relationships with board members, donors, prospects and philanthropic community to keep institution's financial needs in forefront.
- Researched, wrote and presented compelling funding proposals to various businesses, churches and schools to increase awareness and grow charitable revenue.
- Liaised with business and community members to increase awareness of fundraising programs and causes.
- Established and enforced fundraising goals, strategies and disbursements.
Operations Project Manager
US Cleaners Inc
St Louis, MO, USA
2006 - 2007
- Created team objectives and roles with specific goals outlined for each individual.
- Forecasted, scheduled and monitored project timelines, personnel performance and cost efficiency.
- Identified needs and coordinated resource allocation to deliver quality standards on time and within budget.
- Led meetings with internal team members, consultants and contractors.
- Developed solutions to project risks and issues, meeting quality and timeline goals and objectives.
- Generated and tracked change orders and other contractual modifications affecting budget and schedule.
- Modified project plans when needed to better align with organizational objectives.
- Determined project staffing needs and led resource management.
- Reduced energy cost by 15% and labour costs by 40%.
- Decreased customer complaints by 30% in six months.
- Designed customer retention program.
- Increased sales by 20% in eight months.
- Designed operational efficiencies.
- Examined vendor contracts in relation to invoices.
- Carried out impartial and professional in-depth audit work at client’s site
- Investigated and recovered more than $100,000 client’s accounts payables
- Developed strategies to recover overpayments and apply credits for future use
- Communicated with vendors and clients in managing the audit operation
- Created and maintained good vendor relationship and client confidentiality.
- Recommended to client possible ways of improving accounts payable operations
Senior Area Manager
International Business Associates
Buffalo Groves, IL, USA
2002 - 2005
- Developed new markets
- Analyzed operations and advised clients on business improvement
- Escalated complex issue to senior management
- Carried out due diligence prior to engaging consultant
- Providing turn-around strategies for SMEs
- Offering business advisory service.
- Recommended formation of an IT consulting company.
- Re-aligned manufacturing and process improvement.
- Designed a supply chain strategy that reduced inventory by 60%.
- Resolved customer inquiries and complaints requiring management-level escalation.
- Produced thorough, accurate and timely reports of project activities.
- Planned and led team meetings to review business results and communicate new and ongoing priorities.
- Analyzed business performance data and forecasted business results for upper management.
Marketing Manager
Bible Society of Zambia
LUSAKA, Zambia
2000 - 2002
- Worked with management team to oversee and monitor marketing strategy.
- Managed creation of marketing materials, collateral and sales support tools.
- Developed and supervised marketing campaigns and events to maximize income and achieve audience targets.
- Represented company at local and trade association meetings to promote products.
- Tracked, analyzed and reported on marketing program results.
- Formulated and launched marketing and promotional campaigns to maximize profits.
- Prepared monthly sales reports to document sales volumes, potential sales and areas of proposed client base expansion.
- Designed and implemented 5 years strategic market plans.
- Turned around liquidity in three months and profits by 40% in two years by introducing new products, market development and strategic pricing.
- Appointed as regional marketing trainer for southern Africa.
- Increased sales from $100,000 to $500,000 in two years and re-captured market share lost to competition.
- Managed the supply chain of inventory
Business Development Manager
ZIMCO Limited
LUSAKA, Zambia
1993 - 1997
- Established new customer accounts using negotiation and sales closing abilities.
- Determined business development opportunities and implemented effective strategy for client acquisition.
- Developed short-term and long-term vision and strategy to achieve targeted sales objectives.
- Identified new customers through pipelining, pre-qualification and territory analysis and management.
- Gathered and analyzed business, market and competitor information to support development of strategic marketing plan.
- Prospected, identified and cultivated relationships with contacts to promote product lines and solutions.
- Increased sales by 25% per year.
- Commissioned market research for new products and performed marketing intelligence
- Carried out test marketing and product roll-out and , chaired NPD committee.
- Opened new international market which were more than 5% profitable.
- Carried out desk and field international market research.
- Increased exportable products to six African countries.
- Commissioned market research and new production plant for sodium silicate
General Forester
Forestry Department/ZAFFICO Ltd
Ndola, Lusaka, Zambia
1981 - 1992
- Marked timber for stand improvement, general thinning and economic purposes.
- Evaluated forest diversity, inventoried numbers and checked the health of different specimens.
- Established short- and long-term plans for forest management to maintain forest lands and resources.
- Implemented forest surveys to collect data for reports and recommendations.
- Promoted high customer satisfaction by resolving problems with knowledgeable and friendly service.
- Promoted use of timber and wood products in construction and domestic.
- Developed market plans and budgets for timber products. Spearheaded new products development in ZAFFICO.
- Designed and implemented promotional materials. Undertook market research in the local and international markets for timber and wood products.
- Managed sales timber depots. Developed and implemented timber distribution system to clients and sales depots.
- Provided linkages to production management about product demand.
- Carried marketing services functions (promotion, order processing, staff training, logistics and distribution.
- Carrying out forestry inventory and implementing forest management plans. Carried out plantation silvicultural activities.
- Implemented forest protection (early burning, boundary maintenance).
- Identified forest stands for pre-commercial thinning.
- Supervised plantation workers. Managed forest nursery. Developing market for forest products in local and international markets.
- Carrying out advertising, PR and promotions for forest products. Developing forest management project.
Education
Associate of Arts - Marketing And Project Management For Pharmaceutical
Kriger Institute
Toronto, Canada07.2007
MBA - Business Management
DeVry University
St Louis, MO, USA12.2004
Bachelor of Arts - Marketing Management
Chartered Institute of Marketing
London, UK12.1990
Associate of Science - Forestry
Zambia Forestry College
Kitwe, Zambia05.1981
Skills
- Data Analytics
- Client Management
- Business Development
- Requirements Gathering
- Project Leadership
- Management Coaching
- Subject Matter Expert
- Integrity and Honesty
- Research and Development
- Project Management
- Reporting Capabilities
- Client Rapport
- Operations Analysis
- Work Planning and Prioritization
- Processes and Procedures
- Strategic Planning
- Market Penetration
- Project Implementation
- Project Analysis
Certification
- Regional Training Workshop on Climate Finance and Writing Bankable Projects For Anglophone And Lusophone African Forestry Stakeholders. Mombasa, Kenya.
- Certificate in Global Entrepreneurship, Nuffic & Dutch Centers for Entrepreneurship, Netherlands 2021.
- Certificate in Agro forestry, Trees for the Future, USA, 2009.
- Certificate REDD+, The Rainforest Alliance/WWF/CCBA, USA, 2010.
- Certificate Sustainable Finance for Protected Areas, Rainforest Alliance, USA, 2011.
- Certificate in Value Chain Design and Analysis, Zambia, Action for Enterprise/USAID, 2010.
- Certificate in carbon projects development, Global Carbon Exchange, South Africa, 2013.
- Certificate in Forest Governance Assessment and Monitoring, World Bank, 2019.
Timeline
Managing Consultant
Metro Consult Limited
2009 - Current
Fundraising Manager
Zambia Scholarship Fund
2008 - 2009
Operations Project Manager
US Cleaners Inc
2006 - 2007
Senior Area Manager
International Business Associates
2002 - 2005
Marketing Manager
Bible Society of Zambia
2000 - 2002
Business Development Manager
ZIMCO Limited
1993 - 1997
General Forester
Forestry Department/ZAFFICO Ltd
1981 - 1992
Associate of Arts - Marketing And Project Management For Pharmaceutical
Kriger Institute
MBA - Business Management
DeVry University
Bachelor of Arts - Marketing Management
Chartered Institute of Marketing
Associate of Science - Forestry
Zambia Forestry College
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