Paul Gross Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Il, Us

Our focus is to enable disruptive innovation at the intersection of healthcare and retail serving the needs of two different groups of clients; companies who need a dedicated team to drive the direction of innovation and those that need a team to implement disruptive technology.We are a consortium of technologists, consultants, healthcare professionals, corporate executives, and entrepreneurs with a shared vision of helping bring to life disruptive solutions at the intersection of healthcare and retail.We don’t pretend to do it all or have all the answers. We focus on doing a few things well that drive the biggest impact for our client’s innovation agenda --Innovation as a Service --Innovation Tech Strategy --Prototype + Test Management --Product Development

Duluth, Ga, Us

$1.6 Billion national retail optical chain operating over 1100 stores with 5 retail brands including America’s Best, Eyeglass World, Wal-Mart, Fred Meyer, Military ( AAFES) and e-commerce sites.• Led successful acquisition and turnaround efforts for America’s Best (2005) and Eyeglass World (2009) to lead the category and deliver annualized +10% and +6% comp sales growth, respectively.• Created and led the business and marketing strategy for five retail and two eCommerce brands.• Drove continuous and profitable revenue growth.  Built enhanced lead generation process with external strategic relationships and brand partnerships.  2 point margin gain through improved and more efficient customer acquisition programs.  30% overall retention rate enhancement through deployment of new CRM system.  21% incremental renewal rate increase and increased initial sales of Eyecare Club loyalty program.  16% improvement in marketing as a percent of sales by reducing spending and growing sales base.• Data analytics driven multi-channel marketing and e-commerce.  Developed test and learn model to leverage data and analytics to inform marketing spend decisions.  $80 million marketing spend allocated across TV, radio, OOH and digital media across 200 markets.  Initiated two store web sites to develop an omnichannel experience and orchestrated plans to increase web traffic and site conversion to support the business.  35% increase of on line appointments after improving web site scheduling system.  14% improvement in purchase cycle timing as a result of leveraging customer data and more targeted and personalized messaging

Start-up computer and network services company for home and business• Reduced monthly burn rate by over $500k while improving sales and service results.• Shifted from on-demand service to a subscription model resulting in a 200% increase in sales.• Improved time on-site and average dollar sale production through a strategic price change.• Successfully created and launched three new service products that met strategic goals.

Cincinnati, Ohio, Us

Largest vertically integrated company in the optical category consisting of frame manufacturing, lens manufacturing, optical retail and vision insurance business.Senior Director, Marketing (EyeMed), 1999 - 2000Director, Marketing (Lenscrafters), 1995 - 1999Marketing Manager. 1992 - 1995 Associate Marketing Manager, 1991 – 1992• Helped create the strategic positioning of Eyemed in the marketplace, as well as lead all of the product management, marketing and sales support functions.• Led the national marketing planning for Lenscrafters, delivering three consecutive record years through growing the base business and successfully acquiring and opening new stores. • Developed grand opening model that helped company successfully open 300+ stores to achieve goal of over 800 stores by the year 2000.• Maintained positive unit-to-unit sales growth and increased operating income while efficiently reducing marketing spending.• Led all outside marketing efforts to outside OD/MD groups to increase referral rate for retail sales.

Bowling Green, Ky, Us

Cincinnati, Ohio, Us