MOHAMMED A.H. AL AFRANJI

Palestinian Entrepreneur, Marketing & Entrepreneurship Advisor and Trainer, CEO of SADAF Technology Development.

• BIO
• Qualification Highlights
• Recent Provided Consulting and Training
• Employment History
• Provided Training Programs
• Education
• Training Courses Attended
• References
• Personal Data

BIO

Mohammed Alafranji have more than 15 years of Marketing Experience in leading local and International firms and organizations operating in Palestine, specializes in Marketing & Entrepreneurship consultancy and training, His past experience was with PEPSI, MASSAR Associates, HADARA, DAI, Solutions Dev., and TATWEER Business Services, worked for Commercials and Non-Profits operating in Gaza and West Bank on projects funded by USAID, World Bank, DFID and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, he was responsible of designing, implementing and supervising Marketing Planning, Business Model Design, Marketing campaigns, Market research, Sales and Marketing Training and Capacity building using all needed tools within the available resources to provide accurate findings and the most truthful recommendations. He works closely with Palestinian ICT sector, helping in producing the local ICT cluster competitiveness assessment, PITA strategy formulation and providing technical assistance for local ICT companies and startups. He served as a board member at the Palestinian Information Technology Association of Companies between 2011 to 2013, He’s also a Co-founder and CEO of SADAF Technology Development, a 6 years old Technology company based in Gaza.

Mohammed also is the organizer of Startup Weekend Gaza 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014 [SWGaza] & recently implemented 3 Entrepreneurship support programs for MercyCorps/USAID named as:

• TeamStart - Creative Entrepreneurship
• TeamStart - Empowering Women through Technology Entrepreneurship
• TeamStart - Arabization & Digital Arabic Content Creation Entrepreneurship

Qualification Highlights

• Proficient in Sales & Marketing training and capacity building, specialized training courses were provided to multi levels of employees working for local business and NGOs, provided by associations such as DAI, PITA, Paltrade, IUG, TATWEER Business Services & more.
• Expertise in Strategic Business and Marketing Planning with more than 12 years of Experience in leading local and International firms and organizations operating in Palestine.
• Experienced in sales analysis, communication, strategic planning, intuitive, administrative, organizational, problem solving organizational and leadership skills. Proven ability to work efficiently in both independent and team environments.
• Works closely with multiple Palestinian Business sectors, helped in producing the ICT cluster competitiveness assessment, PITA strategy formulation and providing technical assistance for several local companies and startups.
• Also experienced in Market Research and worked on several local studies and market researches on several sectors, organizations and companies including PCPS, Wataniya Mobile and USAID.
• Certified by Innovation 360 institute in Dubai to conduct training programs in Business Model Innovation and creativity for startups.

Recent Provided Consulting and Training (2012-2014)

Mohammed have delivered more than 650 training hours to 670 individual during the last 3 years.

• TeamStart “Arabization & Digital Arabic Content Creation Entrepreneurship ” Provided by SADAF technology Development, Contracted by MercyCorps/PCAP, funded by USAID, July 2014
• TeamStart “Empowering Women thought Technology Entrepreneurship” Provided by SADAF technology Development, Contracted by MercyCorps/PCAP, funded by USAID, May 2014
• Sales Training for Sales Managers and Salesmen for ICT companies in Gaza, provided by TATWEER Business services, contracted by MercyCorps/PCAP, Funded by USAID.
• TeamStart for Art (Multiple topics) provided by TATWEER Business services, SADAF & Zawaya, contracted by MercyCorps/PCAP, Funded by USAID.
• Marketing for Small ICT projects for Mobaderoon project, IUG funded by Welfare association.
• Services and Social Marketing Training Course, Organized by IUG under the management of civil society organizations professional Diploma, held in Gaza for 9 groups during 2008 - 2012.
• Marketing for Small Businesses for local business for the Gaza Chamber of Commerce members funded by GIZ.
• Strategic Planning for UAWC - Union of Agricultural Work Committees in Palestine, Implemented by Solutions for Development Consulting.

Employment History

September 2014 to Present JORDAN

Better Business

Freelance Consultant

Better Business specializes in building service cultures providing expertise in capacity building and workforce management through training and development. Duties include but not limited to:

• Develop Project Plan for one of BB major clients in Amman, supervise the implementation and report back to the client. The project includes an awareness campaign for the client’s employees conducted in a form of an interactive training.
• Develop a Business model for a new venture by BB starting from the concept note ending with the business plan.

June 2008 to Present PALESTINE

SADAF Technology Development

CEO & Founder

SADAF Technology Development is a well established Palestinian company, aimed at facilitating a solid experience in the fields of Technology Development and Creative Production. SADAF team is exposed to long local and international firms and organizations experiences in several fields, all related to Web Technology Development. Duties include but not limited to:

• Developing strategic plans for SADAF which includes Business and Marketing plans.
• Identifying needed human resources and creating job description for each post and recruiting needed and suitable staff.
• Financial budgeting and control for the companys services and activities.
• Developing internal policy and customers relationship best practices.
• Developing Ideas and create online solutions that service the Local, Regional and International markets.

June 2011 to April 2013 PALESTINE

TATWEER Business Services

Managing Partner / Senior Consultant

TATWEER Business Services aims at offering an upgraded level of professional business development and commercial services. "TATWEER" is founded by a team of competent business and development experts with high standard scientific backgrounds combined with practical experiences in the local and regional markets. Duties include but not limited to:

• Drawing strategies to implement TATWEER’s vision
• Providing Sales and Marketing consulting and business development services.
• Developing Ideas and create solutions that service the Local, Regional and International markets.

April 2009 to April 2010 GAZA/WB

InTajuna Project

Solutions for Development Consulting - PALESTINE

Gaza Operation Manager

InTajuna was a 3- year project managed by Solutions for Development Consulting Co with a core funding from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation [SDC] that aims to increase local producers’ market share in the local market through; increasing the capacity of MSMEs/producers by improving their access to market knowledge and upgrade their management and marketing skill, improving the visibility and perception of Palestinian products within the local market and empowering producers to advocate for policies that are conducive for increased share in the domestic market.
Responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Introduce and recruit possible InTajuna companies to participate from Gaza Strip.
• Coordinate all aspects of marketing and media management of promotional campaigns in Gaza strip, including the recruitment of POS and campaign management.
• Coordinate market research with research institute including all aspects such as primary and secondary information in Gaza Strip and report back to InTajuna Project manager.
• Coordinate internal capacity building activities throughout the project.
• Coordinate the establishment of the advocacy group representatives in Gaza.

July 2008 to April 2009 GAZA/WB

Facility for New Markets Development Project (FNMD)

DEVELOPMENT ALTERNATIVES, INC (DAI) PALESTINE

Account Manager

FNMD is funded by the UK Dept. for International Development [DfID] with backing from the World Bank. FNMD is a grant making facility supporting individual Palestinian enterprises as well as associated groups of companies that want to explore new markets – locally, regionally and internationally, to develop new products, or to improve existing goods and services.
Responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Assist and support firms and groups of firms that have been awarded an FNMD grant implementing new market / new product development activities.
• Provide support to procurement for grant beneficiaries in line with project rules and requirements.
• Supervise firms’ progress and follow up regularly.
• Communicate issues and risks in sub project implementation to the Team Leader and Grant Manager and develop risk management strategies.
• Gather data on local obstacles to economy growth.

Mar. 2008 to May 2008 GAZA/WB

Palestine Investment Conference

Management Consulting Services (MCS)

Technical Advisor

December 2005 to January 2008 GAZA/WB

Palestinian Enterprise Development Project

DEVELOPMENT ALTERNATIVES, INC (DAI) PALESTINE

Marketing Advisor, Business Development Services Dep.

Trade Facilitation Manager, till the end of 2006, ICT Cluster Co-Manager

Responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Managing a diversified portfolio of SME clients in several locations and industries.
• Providing technical assistance to client firms aimed at improving sales, profitability, capacity utilization, and employment.
• Developing and conducting “Sales & Marketing”, “Sales & Marketing Management”, “Marketing Communication Management”, and “Market Research” Training and workshops
• Support the Marketing efforts of the local firms and Associations by Providing Technical Assistance in several Sales & Marketing Fields.
• Conduct market research studies of Palestinian products identifying new markets opportunities, and to assist products performance in the current markets.
• Work with PED ICT cluster manager in WB closely to handle Gaza strip ICT tasks and Activates.

August.2004 to December.2005 GAZA

Palestinian Internet Services (PIS)

HADARA Technologies, PALTEL Group

Sales & Marketing Manager

Lead Marketing & Sales Department to achieve the goals and targets of PIS, along with the development of these planes, the department is responsible of selling and marketing a verity of state of art information and communication technology services and products starting from internet connection services, web services, web development, networking and ICT consulting.

• Responsible to ensure that PIS achieves level sales revenues by hiring and managing the assigned sales staff.
• Developing programs to generate leads.
• Managing market level competitive intelligence.
• Responsible for managing projects.

Web Development Department Manager

Lead the web design & content development Department to achieve the goals and targets of the company, web consulting.

April.2003 to July.2004 GAZA

Palestine Online (Massar Associates)

(Internet Service Provider)

Marketing & Sales Manager – Gaza office

Representing Marketing & Sales Department for Palestine Online in Gaza Strip, and responsible of implementation of POL Marketing and Sales plan in Gaza Strip Market Area

• Participating in creating the company sales plan in WB & Gaza.
• Implementing the local sales plan to archive the targeted sales.
• Creating and implementing the local Marketing plan.
• Seeking for new dealers for the company services, and follows up on these dealers.
• Follow up on financial issues with dealers, cooperate and individual customers.
• Working on public relation issues with local authorities, local media Universities, schools, businesses and associations.

July.2002 to March 2003 GAZA

Massar Associates

Marketing Consultant

Responsible for implementing full scope of work under the Image Building, PR & Marketing Program, which aims at improving the image of ICT companies and also addresses their specific market needs. The program was implemented in cooperation and supervision of DAI/MAP (Development Alternatives Inc. / Market Access Program) and PITA (Palestinian IT Association of Companies)

• Assessed Companies’ current marketing and PR status based on field visits to the companies,
• Assisted Companies in preparing the content of their marketing and PR kits including company and product profiles, brochures, catalogues, themes, logos, website, etc.
• Assisted Companies in supervising the design and production of their promotional material,
• Assisted Companies to prepare for Gitex 2002 exhibition
• Prepared marketing plans and other marketing related activity requested by companies.

March. 2002 to May. 2002 GAZA

Massar Associates

Market Survey Administrator

• Responsible for co-designing and reviewing developed surveys.
• Responsible for managing database entry and target group identification.
• Co-data analysis and conclusions development.

Nov. 2001 to Feb. 2002 GAZA

Development Alternatives Inc. ( DAI )

Member of the Local Task Force

Participating in the (Design and Manufacturing of Wood Products for Export Markets Project) with USAIDs Market Access Program (MAP), implementing by DAI, and in cooperation with the Palestinian Wood Industries Union (WIU).

Apr. 2000 to Oct. 2001 GAZA

Yazegi Group for Soft Drinks ( PEPSI )

Sales & Marketing Supervisor

• Responsible of the communication with the Head Marketing Office in Italy.
• Share in setting the new Business Plan for the next five years.
• Execute the Marketing Plan, which provided by the Head Marketing Office in Italy and our company’s Marketing Plan.
• Supervised and directed a group of salesmen staff to achieve the Sales and Marketing goals and targets.

Aug 1999 to Sep1999 AMMAN- JORDAN

Jordan Golf Bank

Trainee

• One month training in the bank sections especially the Marketing Department.
• This training was required to complete the graduation requires of the bachelor degree.

Provided Training Programs

• Sales and Distribution Management Course, Organized by Paltrade, Funded by GTZ, implemented by TATWEER Business Services, held in Gaza during Nov. 2009.
• Marketing Training for Farmers under Supporting Early Recovery of Agricultural Livelihoods in Gaza project, Funded by USAID through AED, Implemented by Care International and provided by IMPACT Consulting.
• Market Research and Training for Agricultural finance project by AED/ESAF funded by USAID and Implemented by Solutions for Development Consulting.
• Sales & Marketing Training Course, Organized by Paltrade, Funded by PED/DAI, implemented by Sharhabeel Al-Zaeem and Associates, held in Gaza during June 2008.
• Marketing and Export Training, Organized by Paltrade, Funded by PED/DAI, implemented by Dimensions Consulting, held in Gaza during Mar. 2008

Education

Bachelor Degree in Marketing, Faculty of Econ. & Admin. Science, APPLIED SCIENCE UNIVERSITY, Amman, H. K. of JORDAN, Rating: Good (75 %), Feb. 2000

Training Courses Attended

• Certified Trade Advisors Programme, provided by International Trade Centre (ITC) in Partnership with the Palestinian Trade Center (PalTrade) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) during Oct, 2012 – May, 2013 in Ramallah.
• Business Model Innovation TOT, provided by Innovation 360, Dubai, Feb 2012
• Sales & Marketing Managers Training Course, Organized by Paltrade and held in AUC (American University in Cairo – Egypt). July 2005
• Association executive program (AEP), Organized by the International School of Association Management and supported by MAP/DAI with American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), Presented by: Walter A. Schow, Ph.D., CAE, Schow International Inc.(2002/2003)
• English language intensive course, English Language Institute, University of Bridgeport, CT-USA, Aug. 1995

References

Personal Data