KISSIMA TRAORE
917.887.5905 • kissima@investorig.com • Philadelphia Metro
LinkedIn Profile: www.linkedin.com/in/kissima-traore
SALES STRATEGY | GLOBAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT | EXECUTIVE CONSULTING
Multi-million-dollar business developer, deal maker, and entrepreneur with over 20 years of mastery in building sustainable businesses and forging robust sales relationships across North America, EMEA, and beyond. I have consistently driven year-over-year revenue growth, secured high-value deals, and delivered key enterprise clients while establishing strategic partnerships. As an innovative leader, my proven track record showcases an unparalleled ability to drive new and existing business results across diverse markets and sectors, including spearheading companies' efforts to create new products and services and expand into new countries and industries. I excel in collaborating with global and local decision-makers, expertly analyzing market trends, evaluating risks, and crafting strategic growth plans that maximize organizational value. My solutions are designed to bring transformative results to clients, significantly enhancing their day-to-day operations. By leveraging a consultative approach, I tailor strategies to ensure resilience, scalability, and success, always aligning with the specific goals and models of the businesses I support. With a demonstrated history of closing high-value deals, I offer a unique multilingual advantage in English, French, and Malian, coupled with the legal ability and citizenship to work across the US, France, and Mali.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Sales Strategy | Business Development | Global Leadership | Executive Consulting & Advisory | Entrepreneurship
Revenue Growth | P&L | Account Management | Consultative Sales Model | Business Transformation & Innovation Solutions Selling | Risk Mitigation | Digital Media | Coaching & Mentoring | Value Propositions | Relationship Building
Product Launches | Service Delivery | Opportunity Analysis | Deal Structuring | Data-Driven Decision-Making
Territory Expansion | Commercialization | Business & Financial Modeling | Sponsorships | Cold Calling | Goal Setting
Pipeline & Portfolio Management | Startup Operations | Quota Attainment | Performance Metrics | B2B & B2C
Forecasting | Escalated Complaint Management | Customer Success & Satisfaction | Strategic Partnerships
Technology: Salesforce, Asana, ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Calendly, Canva, Notion, Google Workspace, MS Office
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
INVESTORS INTEL GLOBAL, LLC, Philadelphia Metro 2017–Present
Founder | Consultant
Direct strategy, outreach, and relationship building for consulting firm supporting companies across multiple markets in expanding territory and driving sales growth. Coach clients in business development, new product/service development, and integration of existing products and services into new spaces. Leverage wide range of solutions, such as technology (including AI), digital advertising, content creation, data analytics, business intelligence, events and sponsorships, brand storytelling, subscriptions, and more, to guide business successes. Assess client needs and design custom sales strategies and business models aligned with budget, brand vision, and business goals that minimize expenses while maximizing ROI.
• Partnered with Addrex (US tech pioneer) to close single largest company lister in France (valued at $10M+), collaborating across multiple teams and shaping onboarding strategies.
• Maintained relationship with IPE upon relocation to US, sustaining more than 20% of total annual revenue for company for 3 consecutive years and ranked as #1 salesperson for new business.
• Drove sales across B2B and B2C accounts in field of technology (including enterprise accounts), digital media, real estate, financial services, and investment banking across US and EU.
• Built out secondary firm, T Invest, LLC, to buy, build, and revamp small online and tech-driven businesses across sectors, as well as lead investment in BRRRR (Buy, Renovate/Upgrade, Refinance, Rent, & Repeat) real estate.
o Delivered 300% of anticipated ROI with first project under T Invest in May 2022.
IPE (INVESTMENT & PENSIONS EUROPE), London, UK 2012–2019
Director: European Business
Guided strategic planning, opportunity analysis, and business development for leading EU financial intelligence firm. Managed relationships with clients across UK, EU, and US. Assessed market trends and identified opportunities to position IPE as leader in new markets, as well as expand reach in existing spaces. Consulted with C-suite executives and other key decision-makers on business goals, customizing proposals and sales plans for each account. Coached Asset Managers and other investment service providers in communicating key vision and messages with institutional investors, such as pension funds, insurance companies, family offices, foundations, buy-side of other asset managers, and more.
• Led digital transformation efforts to generate £1M annually, which brought services online and expanded into new markets through virtual events, digital tools for webinars, databases, and other technologies.
• Formed win-win partnerships with multiple Pension Funds Associations and key players in the field, including government regulators, ex-government officials, former C-suite executives, financial media, and more.
• Launched Breakfast Seminar Series across eight countries, resulting in 10% YOY revenue growth.
• Leveraged knowledge of EU markets to increase revenue through advertising, event sponsorships, and content across France and Germany by 200%.
• Re-established trust with former clients such as Vanguard, Goldman Sachs, and New York Stock Exchange, as well as expanded portfolio to include new accounts such as Wells Fargo, State Street, BNP Paris, and HSBC.
• Recruited back to company while in Mali, returning to senior-level role for expertise in business development.
MFAX (MINE & FORAGE AFRICA XCHANGE), Bamako, Mali 2009–2012
Founder | Managing Director
Evaluated project needs for clients, securing necessary resources such as equipment, machinery, accessories, and parts. Navigated complex political landscape to ensure the success of accounts, building relationships with government providers and NGOs. Created a services portfolio to support industry during periods of change and transformation.
• Launched firm from ground up during relocation to Mali to care for ailing family member, consulting with executive teams within mining companies on strategies for successful project management.
• Secured more than $1.1M in revenue during the leadership of company, sustaining profit margins of 25%+.
• Negotiated contracts with major industry-leading companies, such as Anglo Gold, Rangold, Africa Mining Services (AMS), Robex Gold, and Malian Burimian Gold (MBG).
IPE (INVESTMENT & PENSIONS EUROPE), London, UK 2006–2009
Regional Sales Director
Built critical relationships with accounts for leading EU financial data/intelligence providers, serving pension funds, investors, and other Financial Services clients. Developed commercial business across the UK and EU, including Germany, Switzerland, the Nordic region, France, Belgium, and Italy.
• Led effort to expand special projects, increasing revenue by nearly 300% (exceeding £300K), and drove new business development strategies, securing more than £500K (representing 210% growth).
• Selected to guide business development strategy across EU, leveraging cultural understanding of business practices and customer needs to build sustainable relationships with key accounts.
• Maintained pipeline of clients that included JPMorgan, Deutsche Bank, Alliance Global Investors, BNP Paribas, Ministry of France, HSBC, Credit Suisse, Pictet, Societe General, among others.
INFORMA PLC, London, UK 2005–2007
Business & Portfolio Manager
Shaped strategies to increase sales revenue, close new accounts, and expand into new markets, as well as partnered with internal teams on product strategies to enable continuous growth. Evaluated potential business opportunities outside core demographic and customized sales proposals. Managed key accounts and utilized cross-selling to increase value. Developed commercial business across UK and EU, including France, Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, and Russia.
• Engineered package deals and utilized cross-selling to promote additional services (advertising and events sponsorships) and across different publications (IFW, Lloyds FTB Asia, Lloyds List, etc.).
• Increased overall revenue for territory by 150% and exceeded new business sales goal, achieving 225%.
PIXMANIA, Paris, France 2003–2005
Sales & Service Manager
Oversaw staffing, training, and performance management of Sales and Customer Service teams. Managed full sales cycle from presales and sales strategy through post-sales account management. Identified and implemented process improvements focused on driving revenue growth and enhancing efficiency across teams.
• Spearheaded concept and buildout of new B2B IT/digital distribution platform, enabling expansion of market to new accounts through digital solutions.
• Recognized with Leaders’ Club placement in first year and highest honor (sky trip award) in 2005.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
YELLOW BOOK, INC., New York, NY 2003–2005
Account Executive YELLOW BOOK, INC., New York, NY
• Drove sales of print and digital advertising solutions to small and medium businesses across NYC, averaging 125 cold calls (B2B), 10 appointments, and 2 closed deals per week during tenure.
• Consistently exceeded sales targets and quotas, earning Rookie of the Year honor and Third Place ranking with 35 new accounts closed and 11 renewals for $250K in the first year.
EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS
Master of Science in Business & Management–Swansea University, Swansea, Greenwich London, UK
Associate of Arts in Business Administration–CUNY (Borough of Manhattan Community College), New York, NY
Over 20 years in Sales, Business Development, and Entrepreneurship
7 businesses - 3 continents – Multiple Sectors
From Door-to-Door to Strategic Sales - Products & Services across Various Industries
NYC 10 years-Paris, France 2 years-London, UK 10 years-Mali 2 years- Washington DC 6 years-Greater Philadelphia 2 years
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