Jim Follett

Jim Follett Email and Phone Number

Ridgefield, CT, US
Jim Follett's Location
Ridgefield, Connecticut, United States, United States
Jim Follett's Contact Details
About Jim Follett

I am a growth activist passionate about “lighting up the possible." I love guiding people, organizations, and communities to better outcomes, especially when the path is not apparent. I have done this consistently over my 40-year for-profit career as a global CEO, Board Director, and Strategic Advisor. In 2020, I transitioned into the world of philanthropy, social impact, and non-profit to generate positive change that improves lives. My current focus areas include workforce development, homelessness prevention, race equity, and global forest conservation projects. HUMAN POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ADVOCATE In 2019, my wife and I established Embracing New Beginnings – a platform to engage and manage the range of social causes to which I am committed. What is central to this platform and common across all my activities is a fundamental belief that most people aspire to lead a good life and make a positive contribution to society. However, access to opportunity is not equal. Helping people realize outcomes they did not expect or believe possible is the North Star for this work. TURNING CAREER SUCCESS INTO MAKING THE WORLD BETTER I am blessed to bring a wide range of executive management experience to this work. Before this, I co-founded and ran two consulting practices serving CEOs, executive teams, and P/E firms in the market research, data, and insights services space. During this period, I also served on 2 for-profit boards (one as Board Chair, which led to a successful sales transaction), 1 non-profit board, and in advisory roles for various companies, including a mid-market investment bank focused on media, technology, and marketing services. Before this, I served as a portfolio CEO or COO for five P/E-owned firms, accelerating profitable growth for all five and successful sales transactions for three of them. SUMMARY: PIVOTING TO A NEW CALLING Throughout my career journey, I have benefited from lessons learned from what works and, more importantly – the things that don't work. I'm now leveraging these insights with energy, humility, and the belief that my purpose now is to light up what is possible in our communities and humanity to make the world a better place.

Jim Follett's Current Company Details
Embracing New Beginnings

Embracing New Beginnings

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Co-Founder
Ridgefield, CT, US
Employees:
1
Jim Follett Work Experience Details
  • Embracing New Beginnings
    Co-Founder
    Embracing New Beginnings
    Ridgefield, Ct, Us
  • Forward Global
    Member
    Forward Global Dec 2019 - Present
    San Francisco, California, Us
  • Embracing New Beginnings
    Co-Founder
    Embracing New Beginnings 2019 - Present
    Ridgefield, Connecticut, Us
    BOARD DIRECTOR - SOCIAL IMPACT PARTNERS (SIP), CT (2023 - present)SIP is a 501c3 systems change organization focused on closing the economic opportunity gap in Connecticut by providing grants, capacity building, and connections at the state and local level so that all residents can attain financial security—key program focus: Workforce Development and Education (Early Childhood and Community College). The Vision is to achieve a thriving Connecticut where every person has equitable access to a high-quality education and a sustainable livelihood.LEAD SIP PARTNER supporting OPEN DOORS, NORWALK, CT (2021 – 2024)Open Doors provides homeless support and prevention services in the greater Norwalk area. Led an SIP team supporting Open Doors to establish the Economic Opportunity Hub (financial literacy and sustainable employment placement services). PARTNER – SOCIAL VENTURE PARTNERS (SVP) CONNECTICUT (2020 – Present)ADVISOR – MISSION GREEN (2020 – Present) Dr. Margaret (CanopyMeg) Lowman, the leading global scientist researching biodiversity in the canopies of forests worldwide and a forest conservation advocate, founded and launched Mission Green in 2021 to stop deforestation. The goal is to raise $10M over 10 years to establish 10 canopy research walkways in the 10 highest global biodiversity hotspots. These walkways will serve as biodiversity research platforms and provide sustainable economic opportunities for the local Indigenous people. BOARD DIRECTOR – FIVE FROGS CT (2022 – 2023)Five Frogs CT is a 501c3 consulting agency that provides leadership development skills for diverse non-profit agency leaders to create positive, sustainable change for an equitable Connecticut. PARTNER – 4-CT (2020)4-CT coordinates major philanthropists, individual donors, community, and corporate foundations to address the needs of CT’s most vulnerable residents, who were disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • For-Profit | Non-Profit
    Advisor | Board Roles
    For-Profit | Non-Profit 2000 - Present
    BOARD DIRECTOR – FOR PROFIT Pollfish 2017- 2022 (Chairman of the Board); company sold to ProdegeSurveyHealthcareGlobus (2015 – 2016) Authentic Response, Inc (2009 – 2013) BOARD DIRECTOR – NON PROFITSocial Impact Partners, CT (SIP) (9/2023 - present)Five Frogs (1/2022 – 9 2023)Executive Forum (1/2009 – 1/2022)ADVISOR/BOARD OBSERVER ROLESOpen Doors (2021- Present)Mission Green (2020 – Present)Oaklins, DeSilva & Phillips (2018 – 2019)Luminoso, Inc (2015 – 2016) Prosper Technology (2013 – 2014) Information Resources, Inc. (2000 – 2003)
  • Insight Tech Advisors | Oaklins, Desilva & Phillips
    Co-Founder | Managing Partner | Strategic Advisor
    Insight Tech Advisors | Oaklins, Desilva & Phillips 2017 - 2019
    CO-FOUNDER, MANAGING PARTNER (2017 – Present)InsightTech AdvisorsNext generation growth advisory firm enabling Marketing Insights providers to unlock new value and growth in their radically-disrupted marketplace.SENIOR ADVISOR (2018 – 2019)Oaklins, DeSilva & Phillips Leading mid-market investment bank focusing on Media, Technology, and Marketing industries. Supported the firm’s Technology, Data, and Information practice.
  • Trebuchet Impact Advisors, Llc
    Ceo And Founder
    Trebuchet Impact Advisors, Llc 2013 - 2017
    Consulting, Advisory, and Board services firm in the marketing information services space focused on helping CEO’s, Executive Teams, and business owners accelerate their growth and value creation. Engagements included:LUMINOSO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.CEO/EXECUTIVE TEAM ADVISOR (2015 – 2016)Recruited by the Board and CEO. Worked with Executive Team to define “where to play and how to win” strategically as well as build the first in-house marketing department. Founded out of the MIT Media Lab in 2010, Luminoso Technologies, Inc. builds text analytics products for analyzing open-ended text data like survey responses, customer and employee feedback, support tickets, and reviews. Products use contextual, conceptual language understanding, empowering organizations to discover, interpret, and act on what people are telling them.SURVEY HEALTHCARE GLOBUSINDEPENDENT BOARD DIRECTOR (2014 – 2016)Recruited to be an Independent Board Director following its acquisition by Boathouse Capital in December 2014. Work has focused on leadership practices, KPI development and executive team organization development. SurveyHealthcareGlobus (SHG), formerly SurveyHealthcare (SHC), has been a leader in healthcare market research, specializing in online survey data collection services that include quantitative and qualitative healthcare research, panel recruitment, programming, and fieldwork management.PROSPER TECHNOLOGIESSTRATEGIC ADVISOR (2013 – 2014)Recruited to become a consultant to the company. Focused on developing new prospect relationships and growth opportunities. Prosper Technologies develops software applications and advanced analytic services that provide consumer-centric insights to marketers/retailers to better forecast consumer demand, allocating marketing dollars, tracking consumer behaviors and understanding cross-shopping patterns.
  • Authentic Response Inc.
    Ceo | Board Director | Positive Ebitda | Turnaround | Venture Capital | M&A | Value Creation
    Authentic Response Inc. 2009 - 2013
    New York, Ny, Us
    Recruited by Sutter Hill Ventures and Return Path CEO to Board of Directors and subsequently appointed CEO of this global, technology-enabled B2B and B2C respondent panel and data collection solutions company ($15M in revenues). Success in securing a Series A initial funding round. As CEO, re-engineered a business turnaround that increased revenue, margin and EBITDA through improved productivity management, technology platform improvements and head count reductions. Led sale process of the company to reInvention.
  • Survey Sampling International
    Ceo | Board Director | Global Expansion | Growth | Offshoring | Re-Engineering
    Survey Sampling International 2007 - 2009
    Shelton, Ct, Us
    Hired as CEO and Board Director by Providence Equity Partners to transform this US-centric company with marginal global presence to the premier global provider of online respondent access and data collection services to the global survey research market ($105M in revenues). Grew overall revenue by 24% during the 2 year period. In 2008 alone, grew revenue in the EU and APAC global regions by 33% and 74% respectively increasing non-US revenue to 38% of global revenue (+ 10 points in 2 years). Continued to grow global expansion and revenues through strategic partnering, global management re-organization, and establishing common global technology platforms..
  • Medsite, Inc.
    Coo | Operations Process Reengineering | Outsourcing | M&A
    Medsite, Inc. 2006 - 2006
    Us
    Hired as COO to drive operational improvements and eventual sale of this leading pharma-focused eMarketing agency ($24M in revenues) delivering online programs to targeted physicians for pharma clients. Improved physician participation 56% by reorganizing the recruitment marketing process and increased revenue by doubling the size of the physician contact database, thus offering clients more targeted clinician recruitment based on therapeutic classes and specialties. Tenure concluded upon successful sale of the company by WebMD.
  • Nop World (Acquired By Gfk)
    Interim Ceo | Coo | M&A Integration | Growth | Re-Engineering | Offshoring
    Nop World (Acquired By Gfk) 2003 - 2005
    Nuremberg, Bavaria, De
    Hired into a newly-created COO position to consolidate 6 independent research companies and 3 brands into one centrally-managed enterprise for this 10th largest global survey research company ($418M in revenues). Later appointed acting CEO and introduced a Key Account Management process achieving organic client growth exceeding 22% in the first year. Other directly attributed innovations included developing a Centers of Excellence portfolio management team generating revenue of $24 million in year one. Further revenue increases and cost reductions were achieved through a global re-branding strategy, re-alignment of global management and the creation of offshoring support functions. Facilitated the sale of the company to GfK, the fourth largest global research company at that time..
  • Information Resources, Inc.
    President | New & Incremental Revenue | Client Service Process Re-Engineering | Product Development
    Information Resources, Inc. 1990 - 2003
    Chicago, Il, Us
    The third largest global secondary research company ($550M in revenues). Acquired by Symphony Services in 2003.President, U.S. Client Services and Consulting (2001 -2003)Responsible for U.S. revenue growth and expense control. Member of the Executive Management team. Maintained and grew revenue despite 5% industry revenue contraction (2001-2002). Introduced corporate innovations designed to improve key customer satisfaction and retention by establishing the first IRI Client Advisory Board and Key Account Management process (high-performing account managers were upgraded to service the top 33% of key accounts as part of the process).President, U.S. Marketing and Consulting Services (1999 – 2000)Responsible for managing the Marketing and Product Development groups. Member of the Executive Management team. Increased revenue by leading innovations in product development and process improvements: introduced a new Bayesian Marketing Mix modeling service that grew the modeling business 15%; oversaw development of first product P&L’s to improve pricing and overall portfolio financial management; and implemented Industry Practice Centers to improve client thought leadership and product development along industry verticals.Executive Vice President, NE Area Manager (1998 – 1999)Senior Vice President, Client Service (1995 – 1998)Vice President, Client Service (1990 – 1995).
  • Nestlé Waters North America
    Director Of Marketing | Group Product Manager | Cpg | Revenue | Direct Marketing | Brand Marketing
    Nestlé Waters North America 1988 - 1990
    Paris, Issy-Les-Moulineaux, Fr
    Director of Marketing (1989 – 1990)Managed Marketing and PR with $620M in revenue, $23 million budget. Group Product Manager (1988 – 1989)Managed four brands, $270 million revenue, and $8 million budget.
  • Mott'S Usa
    Director Of Marketing | Cpg | Revenue | Pricing / Promotion Strategies | Brand Marketing
    Mott'S Usa 1985 - 1988
    Director of Marketing (1987 – 1988)Managed 11 brands, $110 million revenue, $25 million budget.Marketing Manager – Mott’s Juices (1985 – 1987)Managed four brands, $70 million, and $14 million budget.
  • General Foods
    Product Manager, Meals Division | Cpg | Brand Marketing
    General Foods 1980 - 1985
    Product Manager: Ronzoni Dry Pasta; Open Pit BBQ Sauce Associate Product Manager: Stove Top Stuffing Mix; Shake ‘n Bake Coating MixAssistant Product Manager: Stove Top, Great Loaf, Oven Fry
  • Procter & Gamble Distributing Company
    Sales Representative | Cpg | Business Development
    Procter & Gamble Distributing Company 1976 - 1978
    Cincinnati, Ohio, Us
    Packaged Soaps and Detergents Division

Jim Follett Skills

Market Research Strategy Business Development Strategic Planning Customer Insight Management Fmcg Product Development Strategic Partnerships Analytics Team Building Operations Management Crm Competitive Intelligence Mergers And Acquisitions B2b Online Research Marketing Research Consumer Products Global Perspective Direct Marketing Business Intelligence Venture Capital Process Improvement Strategic Leadership Ebitda Growth Revenue And Profit Growth Information Technology Global Business Development Re Engineering Operations And Process Improvement Strategic Transformation Global Channel Development Value Creation Global Strategy Development Board Of Directors Insight Generation Technology Platforms Private Equity Firms Innovation Non Executive Director High Performance Cultures C Level Leadership P&l Experience Driving Sales Performance Client Focused Consumer Insight Generation Capital Raising Outsourced Solutions Middle Market Performance Turnaround

Jim Follett Education Details

  • Columbia Business School
    Columbia Business School
    Marketing
  • Williams College
    Williams College
    History

Frequently Asked Questions about Jim Follett

What company does Jim Follett work for?

Jim Follett works for Embracing New Beginnings

What is Jim Follett's role at the current company?

Jim Follett's current role is Co-Founder.

What is Jim Follett's email address?

Jim Follett's email address is ji****@****ors.com

What is Jim Follett's direct phone number?

Jim Follett's direct phone number is +120398*****

What schools did Jim Follett attend?

Jim Follett attended Columbia Business School, Williams College.

What skills is Jim Follett known for?

Jim Follett has skills like Market Research, Strategy, Business Development, Strategic Planning, Customer Insight, Management, Fmcg, Product Development, Strategic Partnerships, Analytics, Team Building, Operations Management.

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