Charles Bertram Email & Phone Number

Cape Town, Wc, Za

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Cape Town Area, South Africa

Successfully established Neutrog as a premier organic fertilizer brand in South Africa's retail and commercial sectors.Expanded the brand's retail footprint with key partnerships including Massmart, KaapAgri, Overberg Agri, SSK, and Coastals, in addition to numerous independent retailers.Forged strategic relationships in the commercial sector with partners such as KaapAgri, Overberg Agri, SSK, Nexus, UAP, Profert, and Hygrotech.Developed and implemented pricing strategies at national and regional levels, collaborating with both corporate and independent retailers.Streamlined distribution channels by creating a direct "gate to shelf" model in Gauteng and the Western Cape, optimizing distribution while enhancing sales.Achieved remarkable sales growth, exceeding 25,000 tons of Neutrog products annually across retail and commercial sectors in South Africa.Expanded Neutrog's international presence, exporting to Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, Mozambique, Zambia, Mauritius, Swaziland, and Namibia, with appointed distributors in key regions.Led Neutrog's marketing efforts, including digital marketing on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.Devised and executed effective in-store promotions and point-of-sale strategies to boost sales.Managed comprehensive digital communications, including newsletters and press releases.Secured national sponsorships with prestigious partners, including Kirstenbosch Gardens, Newlands Cricket Stadium, Bedford Garden Festival, SANBI (Kirstenbosch, Walter Sisulu, Lowveld, Harold Porter, Karoo, Free State, etc.), Johannesburg Zoo, and Durbanville Rose Garden.Developed and executed a corporate investment strategy, supporting organizations such as Abalimi Bezekhaya, Harvest of Hope, and the Amy Biehl Foundation, demonstrating a commitment to corporate social responsibility.

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Co-founder of Striped Horse Craft Beer, a renowned brand in South Africa's craft beer industry. Instrumental in its inception, growth, and successful sale. Demonstrated expertise in various facets of business management, from product development to sales, marketing, and strategic partnerships.Key Accomplishments:Collaborated with a master brewer to create and launch four distinct beer varietals under the Striped Horse brand.Established and maintained a strong partnership with brewing associates, fostering continuous innovation and project development.Oversaw production, packaging, and design, ensuring both efficiency and compelling product presentation.Set and exceeded annual sales targets, resulting in rapid growth from 500 liters in the first year to 350,000 liters in 3.5 years.Managed cross-functional teams covering accounting, sales, marketing, and logistics.Pioneered a national distribution network, gaining a substantial presence in on-premises and off-premises markets.Founded Striped Horse concept bars in Cape Town, enhancing brand visibility and consumer engagement.Led digital marketing efforts across social media platforms, utilizing captivating imagery and video formats.Represented Striped Horse at various events and festivals nationwide, bolstering brand recognition.Played a pivotal role in the production of promotional materials and point-of-sale merchandise.Cultivated strategic relationships with headline sponsors, strengthening brand associations.Expanded Striped Horse's exports across Southern Africa, including Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Mozambique.Successfully contributed to three capital raises, supporting brand growth and expansion.Actively participated in the negotiation and sale of the Striped Horse brand to a major brewer, showcasing strong business acumen.

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Solution Sales: Expertly engaged in selling cutting-edge enterprise IT solutions to corporations, focusing on understanding their unique needs and tailoring solutions accordingly.Opportunity Identification: Proactively identified opportunities within the market, staying ahead of industry trends, and foreseeing potential client needs.Supplier Negotiation: Successfully negotiated with suppliers as a trusted reseller, ensuring competitive pricing and favorable terms for our clients.Performance Agreements: Proficiently formatted and managed ongoing performance agreements, ensuring all parties involved were aligned on expectations and deliverables.Stakeholder Relationship Management: Cultivated and maintained strong relationships with key stakeholders, both internally and externally, to foster collaboration and long-term partnerships.🔹 Notable Achievement:One of my notable successes was overseeing the installation of Rightfax across the Old Mutual Group, a prominent financial services institution in South Africa. I not only delivered a seamless implementation but also ensured ongoing support and service, enhancing their communication infrastructure and productivity.

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Training Program Development: Spearheaded the development and formatting of training programs, ensuring they were aligned with the goals and requirements of Norwich Life. These programs covered a wide range of skills, including presentation techniques, sales strategies, and effective use of sales systems.Unit Trust Sales Training: Pioneered the creation and delivery of the first-ever sales courses on Unit Trusts for Norwich Life Broker Consultants. This initiative played a pivotal role in enabling Norwich Life to expand its sales channels for unit trusts across the organization, enhancing revenue streams.Streamlining Sales Data Capture: Led efforts to streamline sales data capture systems by creating comprehensive training manuals and simplifying process management. These accessible on-the-job training materials improved efficiency and accuracy while consulting with stakeholders across various departments, including life assurance, group benefits, unit trusts, marketing, sales, and finance.🔹 Achievements:One of my most notable achievements was enabling Norwich Life to establish and grow its presence in the Unit Trusts market. By providing Broker Consultants with the necessary training and resources, we successfully launched sales channels for Unit Trusts, contributing significantly to the organization's overall success.