Jared Rushton Email & Phone Number

Howick, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

As a Connection Catalyst at uCommerce, my role is pivotal in fostering influential relationships and empowering clients to establish and grow their Key Person of Influence (KPI) brands. I blend expertise in strategic networking, digital communications, sales, and content development to create impactful branding and growth opportunities.Key Responsibilities:• Strategic Brand Positioning and Sales Drive: Collaborate with clients to develop their KPI branding strategies, aligning these with sales objectives to maximize market impact and revenue growth.• Network Expansion and Development: Identify and nurture relationships with industry influencers, thought leaders, and potential collaborators, enhancing the reach and influence of our clients.• Tailored Client Relationship Management: Offer personalized consultation, supporting clients in their journey to become recognized industry leaders and KPIs.• Content Strategy and Development: Lead the creation of compelling, targeted content that resonates with client audiences and supports their branding and sales goals.• Market Analysis for Informed Strategies: Analyze current market trends to provide actionable insights, helping clients maintain a competitive edge in their branding and networking endeavors.• Dynamic Community Building: Cultivate a community of aspiring KPIs, fostering an environment of collaboration, learning, and mutual support.Looking Ahead:Continuing to drive forward the mission of uCommerce, my focus is on unlocking new growth avenues and enhancing the influence of our clients. By integrating strategic sales tactics with innovative content and networking approaches, I am dedicated to solidifying the stature of our clients as leading KPIs in their respective industries.

Maputo, Mozambique

At Grove Schools, I embraced a multifaceted role that blended educational innovation with community engagement and digital fluency. My tenure was marked by a commitment to enhancing learning experiences and fostering a vibrant school culture.• Marketing and Social Media Leadership: Orchestrated the school's marketing initiatives, managing all social media accounts and community development. Implemented strategies that enhanced online presence and audience engagement.• Curriculum Development: Instrumental in developing a hybrid CAPS-aligned curriculum, integrating modern learning techniques and technology. This initiative led to phenomenal results in enhancing the overall learning experience.• Robotics and Digital Literacy Implementation: Pioneered the introduction of robotics and digital literacy training for students starting from grade R, significantly advancing the school's tech-education offerings.• Staff Team Development: Played a key role in staff development, fostering a strong team culture and environment. My efforts contributed to building a cohesive, motivated, and skilled educational team.• Community Building and Engagement: Successfully led efforts to strengthen school community ties, resulting in heightened collaboration, involvement, and a positive school culture.

Pietermaritzburg, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

In my role at PlayFuel, I leveraged my expertise in relationship management and digital strategy to drive customer success and business growth. My key achievements include:• Strategic E-commerce Development: Orchestrated the development of a stock management and e-commerce system for an online store featuring over 60,000 unique items, demonstrating my ability to manage large-scale, intricate projects.• Elite Client Relationship Management: Cultivated deep connections with a select group of high-profile clients, acting as the critical liaison for expectation management. This role honed my skills in building and maintaining strategic relationships, balancing customer satisfaction with business growth.• Social Media Community Growth: Spearheaded the launch and growth of several social media communities, achieving an expansion rate of 200-300% compared to competing groups. This success showcases my ability to create and nurture digital communities, a cornerstone skill in my current focus on building influential networks.• Supply Chain Expansion: Enhanced the supply chain to rank PlayFuel as one of the top 10 stores in its niche across Africa, highlighting my capacity for strategic planning and execution in a competitive market.

South Africa

At Gluten Free Me, I drove the brand’s growth and market penetration through innovative marketing strategies and a deep focus on customer relationships. My contributions included:• Customer Growth and Cost Efficiency: Successfully grew the customer base by 245% and dramatically reduced marketing costs to below 10% of the original spend. This was achieved through a strategic customer development and retention program, emphasizing the importance of sustainable growth and efficiency in my work.• Innovative Marketing Strategy: Implemented a disruptive 'Trial Version / Just Pay Shipping' funnel, inspired by SaaS and tech industry tactics. This low-risk entry model effectively attracted new customers, while a carefully crafted follow-up journey ensured brand loyalty. This approach highlights my ability to apply unconventional strategies to traditional markets, a skill I now leverage in building influential networks and personal brands.

Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

At Chez Poulet Eggs, my leadership and strategic management significantly contributed to both operational efficiency and revenue growth. Key responsibilities and achievements included:• Operational Excellence and Growth: Managed daily operations of a commercial egg farm with 110,000 chickens, overseeing a R45 million annual turnover. My innovative thinking led to a 15% increase in farm capacity and a 24% rise in annual revenue, highlighting my ability to scale operations effectively while enhancing profitability.• Team Leadership and Logistics Management: Directed a team of over 40 staff members, ensuring the smooth handling and transportation of 90,000+ eggs daily. Managed critical aspects like feed ordering, vaccination schedules, and equipment maintenance, demonstrating my comprehensive operational management skills.• Crisis Management and Biosecurity: Successfully maintained a 100% clean biosecurity record during the 2017-2018 nationwide Avian Influenza outbreak. Our farm's proactive measures and vigilant management practices were key in preventing any incidents of the virus, despite the nationwide cull impact affecting around 5.4 million birds.This role at Chez Poulet Eggs was instrumental in honing my capabilities in strategic planning, team leadership, and effective crisis management – skills that are now integral to my current focus on building and managing effective networks and brands.

Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa

In my role at Take My Hand NPC, I led significant projects and team development, contributing to both technological advancement and organizational growth. My key responsibilities and accomplishments included:• SaaS Platform Project Management: Oversaw the development of a SaaS platform designed to streamline Corporate Social Investment for multinational companies. This involved managing remote developers and coordinating operations across two South African offices, demonstrating my aptitude for handling complex, tech-driven projects.• Client Acquisition and Revenue Growth: Successfully secured crucial clients for the project's launch, achieving over R4 million in deals in the first year – a 200% increase compared to the previous three years. Furthermore, I strategically increased a major client’s annual spending by 50% by aligning development processes with their requirements, showcasing my ability to understand and advocate for client needs effectively.• Staff Development and Coaching: Actively coached junior team members, focusing on maximizing their potential and fostering professional growth. This aspect of my role highlights my commitment to team development and leadership, skills that are essential in my current endeavors of building influential networks and personal brands.These experiences at Take My Hand NPC were pivotal in sharpening my capabilities in strategic operations management, client relations and team leadership.

Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa

At NBB Productions, I led diverse projects that combined creative vision with strategic execution, significantly contributing to the company’s footprint in commercial television. My key roles and achievements included:• Comprehensive Production Management: Orchestrated the production of several successful television productions, managing every phase from concept development to post-production. This included securing sponsorships with high-profile companies like Samsung, showcasing my ability to effectively pitch and negotiate in high-stakes environments.• Creative and Technical Expertise: Demonstrated proficiency in videography and editing, ensuring that all content met the highest standards of quality and appeal. Oversaw distribution logistics, website development, and social media management, reflecting my capacity to handle diverse aspects of content dissemination.• Studio Design and Construction Oversight: Managed the planning and construction of a commercial TV studio and office space on company premises. My focus was on ensuring the space met international production standards, highlighting my attention to detail and commitment to quality in physical and operational infrastructure.These experiences have been integral in shaping my expertise in managing complex projects, understanding audience engagement, and leading innovative content creation.