Isovan Padonou

• Successfully led the recruitment and onboarding of 25+ employees and 2 assistant managers within a two-week period, ensuring the team was fully operational and prepared for the season.
• Gained in-depth expertise in the General Manager role, leveraging this knowledge to train employees and assistant managers across 7 critical positions, fostering a versatile and capable workforce.
• Oversaw all operational aspects for Willy Bietak Productions, delivering a seamless and highly successful season. Strengthened client relationships and built valuable connections with high-end clientele to promote and elevate the “Holidays on the Hill” event, enhancing its reputation and appeal.
• Designed and executed strategic sales initiatives, resulting in significant revenue growth while optimizing operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
• Maintained a collaborative leadership style, ensuring the team consistently met performance goals and exceeded client expectations.
• Developed innovative solutions to address challenges, including ticketing systems and event coordination, ensuring smooth operations and positive customer experiences.
• Acted as a brand ambassador, driving engagement with the community and cultivating long-term relationships with stakeholders to support the company’s mission and objectives.

• Vendor Coordination: Negotiated with 20+ vendors, reducing material costs by 10%.
• Budget Management: Managed budgets, tracking expenses and implementing cost-saving measures.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensured 100% compliance with codes and standards, avoiding project delays.
• Team Leadership: Led a multidisciplinary team, fostering collaboration and productivity.
• Schedule Management: Maintained detailed schedules, achieving a 95% on-time completion rate.
• Quality Assurance: Conducted inspections to ensure standards and client expectations were met.
• Risk Management: Mitigated risks, reducing project delays by 30%.
• Client Communication: Provided regular updates, addressing concerns promptly.
• Project Documentation: Managed contracts, permits, and records, improving audit efficiency by 40%.

• Secured Retail Store for Pop-Up Art Show: Successfully obtained a prime retail location in Paris for a pop-up art show, increasing the brand's presence by 40% and influencing the European art market.
• Orchestrated Art Exhibitions: Efficiently managed the reception and display of 100+ diverse artworks, including paintings, sculptures, and pieces from internationally acclaimed artists, ensuring seamless exhibition logistics and a 30% increase in visitor engagement.
• Created and Managed Grand Opening Event: Conceptualized and executed a high-profile grand opening event, attracting over 500 art enthusiasts and collectors, bolstering the gallery's visibility and reputation by 50%.
• Leveraged Social Media for Promotion: Strategically utilized social media platforms to market the gallery's events and exhibitions, resulting in a 35% increase in online engagement and a 25% growth in the target audience.
• Built Artist Relationships: Cultivated strong relationships with over 50 emerging and established artists, enhancing the gallery's portfolio and reputation within the art community, contributing to a 20% increase in artist collaboration.
• Managed Exhibition Budgets: Oversaw budget planning and allocation for exhibitions, ensuring cost-effective operations while maintaining high-quality standards, leading to a 15% reduction in overall exhibition costs.
• Enhanced Brand Visibility: : Implemented innovative marketing strategies to increase brand awareness, attracting a broader audience and leading to a 30% increase in foot traffic and a 25% rise in sales.

• Identify and Recruit Potential Athletes: Proactively send recruitment letters, conduct meetings with recruits, and arrange and offer competitive incentives, such as professional contracts, leading to the successful onboarding of high-potential athletes.
• Analyze Global Matches: Conduct in-depth analysis of matches from various teams worldwide and provide comprehensive report cards on players, contributing to data-driven decisions for optimal athlete development paths.
• Develop Strong Athlete Relationships: Foster and maintain positive relationships with athletes, creating an open dialogue focused on their personal and professional growth, resulting in improved athlete satisfaction and performance.
• Strategic Planning and Execution: Lead initiatives to identify emerging talent and market trends, ensuring a continuous pipeline of qualified athletes to meet organizational goals.
• Mentorship and Guidance: Provide mentorship to athletes, offering personalized guidance and support to help them navigate their career paths successfully.
• Passion for Sports: Demonstrate a genuine passion for sports and athlete development, which drives commitment to excellence and continuous improvement within the agency.

• Fostered Strong Client Relationships: Built and maintained strong relationships with clients, driving brand loyalty and repeat business, resulting in a substantial increase in customer retention.

• Managed Personal Clientele Portfolio: Managed a diverse portfolio of clients, providing personalized recommendations and delivering exceptional customer service tailored to individual needs and preferences.

• Negotiated Sales Transactions: Effectively negotiated and facilitated sales transactions in multiple languages, catering to a diverse and global clientele, enhancing customer satisfaction and expanding market reach.

• Developed and Improved Operational Plans: Created, maintained, and optimized operational plans, ensuring efficient resource management and streamlined store operations.

• Expert Product Knowledge: Possessed comprehensive knowledge of luxury products, offering expert advice and guidance to clients, which contributed to increased sales and customer trust.

• Achieved Sales Targets: Consistently met and exceeded sales targets through strategic selling techniques and a deep understanding of client needs.

• Enhanced Visual Merchandising: Contributed to the visual merchandising of the store, ensuring an appealing and cohesive presentation that attracted and engaged customers.

Career Development in Retail and Customer Experience:

Gained extensive experience in the retail and fashion industry, working with globally recognized brands such as Bershka, Adidas, Mango, JD Sports, Aldo, and Hollister across Switzerland and France. Developed expertise in sales, customer service, and team management, contributing to brand success through:

• Bershka Switzerland: Managed store operations, overseeing team performance, and ensuring high standards in customer service and sales.
• Adidas France: Delivered excellent customer experiences while meeting sales targets and promoting innovative sportswear solutions.
• Mango France: Enhanced store efficiency and visual merchandising to attract and engage customers effectively.
• JD Sports France: Built strong relationships with customers through personalized service, contributing to high sales achievements.
• Aldo France: Recognized as one of the top 3 sellers in Europe, showcasing exceptional sales skills and product knowledge.
• Hollister France: Created a welcoming and dynamic shopping environment, reflecting the brand’s lifestyle appeal and customer-first approach.

This diverse background in luxury, casual, and sports retail strengthened your ability to adapt to various markets and customer needs while building the foundation for leadership and strategic roles.