Stephen Powell Email & Phone Number

Melbourne, Australia

Working across IBM’s enterprise & startup clients in Australia and NZ, Stephen develops and delivers scalable immersive programs on the Watson Developer Cloud and the use of cognitive APIs to drive commercial applications of artificial intelligence, neural networks & machine learning. These feature actual use cases, custom demonstrations, and design thinking methodology to accelerate clients embarking on transformational journeys. To drive scale Stephen has established and grown… Show more Working across IBM’s enterprise & startup clients in Australia and NZ, Stephen develops and delivers scalable immersive programs on the Watson Developer Cloud and the use of cognitive APIs to drive commercial applications of artificial intelligence, neural networks & machine learning. These feature actual use cases, custom demonstrations, and design thinking methodology to accelerate clients embarking on transformational journeys. To drive scale Stephen has established and grown communities of entrepreneurs, developers and innovators through an outreach program of regular Meetups (a vibrant social network of local communities) and hackathons. There are 650+ active members of the Cognitive Melbourne Meetup group that Stephen co-founded to open opportunities outside of IBM’s traditional corporate base. This outreach program literally changes the way clients view and value IBM as a forward thinking partner in their organisation’s future.The Watson Cognitive Experience Centre - Melbourne is one of six global facilities, purpose designed to educate and engage with CxOs and senior leaders and move their thinking ahead, in this cognitive era. Changing the way they value IBM to their organisation. Show less

Melbourne, Australia

A 2 year journey to transform this Australian startup from a technology focus to a thought leader in the application of the Internet of Things (IoT) to water, gas and electricity utilities across Asia; competing and winning against established IoT suppliers.Stephen has been responsible for all aspects of developing and promoting Freestyle’s narrative for Smart Utilities as enabling Smart Homes and Smart Cities.The emphasis has been to make Freestyle “run at an Olympic level” -… Show more A 2 year journey to transform this Australian startup from a technology focus to a thought leader in the application of the Internet of Things (IoT) to water, gas and electricity utilities across Asia; competing and winning against established IoT suppliers.Stephen has been responsible for all aspects of developing and promoting Freestyle’s narrative for Smart Utilities as enabling Smart Homes and Smart Cities.The emphasis has been to make Freestyle “run at an Olympic level” - that size is not an impediment to engaging with customers, influencers and other leaders across social media, keynote presentations, trade shows, and one to one customer sessions.A key aspect of this transformation has been to move away from a technology focus, but maintain the strength of Freestyle’s software and hardware engineers to solve utility and city problems with IoT. Helping technologists tell their story that was meaningful and engaging to clients across a range of geographies. Show less

Melbourne, Australia

Executive engagement and sales acceleration strategies across business and government ICT segments. Solutions launch, client briefings and user adoption strategies centred on thought leadership - especially around: • the 'future of work' - the productivity and quality gains through the convergence of enterprise social collaboration, unified communications, video and mobility • the 'future of marketing' - social and mobile user experience strategies to develop and engage… Show more Executive engagement and sales acceleration strategies across business and government ICT segments. Solutions launch, client briefings and user adoption strategies centred on thought leadership - especially around: • the 'future of work' - the productivity and quality gains through the convergence of enterprise social collaboration, unified communications, video and mobility • the 'future of marketing' - social and mobile user experience strategies to develop and engage influencers, foster communities, and how to spread the word and help succeed with them. Show less

Melbourne, Australia

On a day to day basis, Stephen worked closely with sales, product, marketing, and senior executives to choreograph and deliver customised client briefings that positively influenced buying behaviours, built customer relationships and won strategic business for Telstra. Over the last 12 months Stephen’s team of facilitators achieved:• 1,413 customer engagements - across all state capitals and Auckland (majority in Melbourne & Sydney)• A pipeline in new NAS opportunities - per account… Show more On a day to day basis, Stephen worked closely with sales, product, marketing, and senior executives to choreograph and deliver customised client briefings that positively influenced buying behaviours, built customer relationships and won strategic business for Telstra. Over the last 12 months Stephen’s team of facilitators achieved:• 1,413 customer engagements - across all state capitals and Auckland (majority in Melbourne & Sydney)• A pipeline in new NAS opportunities - per account executive in enterprise & government sectors• An average revenue increase per business customer • An overall customer satisfaction of 4.5 out of 5 - where 5 is excellent - up from 4.35 in March 2012 A typical briefing session would run from 1 - 3 hours; and host 3 - 16 attendees (customer decision makers and their Telstra sales team). A unique aspect to these sessions was Stephen breaking down the silos between product lines and presenting /demonstrating how all these solutions work together: • Unified communications & mobility• Telepresence & video collaboration• Digital signage, BYOD...• Virtualisation & cloud computing - IT as a service• Unified networking, optimization & security • Transactional effectiveness, workflow efficiency, and analysis The key to Stephen’s success is his ability to show the synergy of all these product lines working together, and breaking the briefing down to a logical roadmap that customers could follow; adding devices, applications and networking incrementally as needs arose.Feedback consistently showed significant improvement in the way customers valued their relationship with Telstra, and developed proven sales opportunities. Stephen accesses a broad international network of like minded ICT briefing professionals, which helps ensure the latest ideas, practices and processes are utilised. Show less

Melbourne, Australia

This role saw Stephen working with product and sales to develop, launch and market a range of next generation enterprise solutions, using above and below the line activities. A project of special significance was the launch of Telstra’s suite of IP Solutions, packaging a range of related products under the one umbrella in 2001. This featured a significant emphasis on customer briefings, case studies, and total cost of ownership models to help customers comprehend the value added… Show more This role saw Stephen working with product and sales to develop, launch and market a range of next generation enterprise solutions, using above and below the line activities. A project of special significance was the launch of Telstra’s suite of IP Solutions, packaging a range of related products under the one umbrella in 2001. This featured a significant emphasis on customer briefings, case studies, and total cost of ownership models to help customers comprehend the value added nature of these solutions.The significance of these solutions is still as relevant a decade later and is a major pillar of Stephen’s customer briefings today.Other Highlights:• Telstra IP Solutions Launch and National Briefings 2001• Telstra IP Telephony (TIPT) Launch 2003• Commonwealth Games Melbourne 2006 CEO Briefing & Hospitality Centre• Next G & Next IP Network Launch / Customer Briefings 2006/7• Marketer of the Year 2007 - Extreme Award - Telstra’s pinnacle recognition event for the top 100 sales executives and top marketer of that year (i.e. Only one person from marketing is awarded). Show less

Masters, Marketing

Grad Dip, Marketing