Bo Bergstrom 🌎

Game Plan Tech

Driving Innovation
I specialize in driving the successful implementation and integration of cutting-edge artificial intelligence solutions to fuel business growth and innovation. At Game Plan Tech I work at the intersection of strategy, technology, and collaboration, ensuring AI technologies deliver measurable impact for large institutions such as government. If this sounds like something your organization could use, then feel free to reach out.

Key Areas of Focus:
	•	AI Strategy & Deployment: Crafting and executing strategies for integrating artificial intelligence solutions that align with organizational goals, optimize processes, and deliver measurable ROI.
	•	Cross-Functional Leadership: Partnering with stakeholders across all levels to ensure seamless integration of AI technologies into existing systems while fostering innovation and collaboration.
	•	Business Growth through Innovation: Identifying opportunities to leverage AI that solve complex business challenges, drive new efficiency, create new revenue streams, enhance customer experiences, and drive meaningful impact.

Why I’m Passionate About This Role:
The potential of AI to transform industries is already massive and the technology is moving fast.  I thrive on turning that potential into actionable solutions. As an entrepreneur I gained firsthand experience with the challenges leaders face when integrating emerging technologies into their operations. Using that experience in combination with the team’s expertise in AI technologies, I aim to create meaningful change that drives innovation where it’s needed most - in large organizations.

Even more important than the technology is the team of people deploying and supporting it.  Game Plan Tech is a mission-driven consulting and services firm with expertise helping government teams access the technologies that drive innovation. We’re committed to creating impactful solutions that push the boundaries of what’s possible.  In short, it’s a great team.

AI Deployment Strategist

Grenadier Consulting

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing industries, and Grenadier is at the forefront of this transformation. Our team of experienced AI consultants combines deep technical knowledge with a keen understanding of business strategy to deliver tailored solutions that drive innovation and growth.

Our Services:

AI Strategy and Roadmap: We help clients develop a comprehensive AI strategy aligned with their business goals. We identify key use cases, evaluate investments, and create a roadmap for implementation.

AI Product Development: We assist clients in conceiving, developing, and launching AI-powered products and services. From ideation to market launch, we provide end-to-end support for successful outcomes.

AI Integration and Implementation: We guide clients in seamlessly integrating AI technologies into their existing systems and processes, ensuring maximum value from their AI investments.

Principal

Protocol Labs

At Protocol Labs, I had the unique opportunity to serve as an Entrepreneur in Residence, where I led the creation of Mosaia, a platform transforming enterprise services through AI and Web3 technologies. My role was to identify challenges in the digital business landscape and develop innovative solutions, aligning with Protocol Labs’ mission to enhance human existence through technology.

Mosaia: Redefining Enterprise Services
Mosaia was created to streamline enterprise service procurement, historically a complex and time-consuming process. By leveraging Large Language Models (LLMs), Mosaia simplifies and automates the process, building decentralized micro-marketplaces that connect Web3 builders with verified service providers, all within a trusted environment.

Key Achievements:

	•	AI-Powered Marketplace: Developed Mosaia’s AI-driven platform, enhancing connections between service providers and Web3 innovators.
	•	Decentralized Trust: Created a marketplace emphasizing trust and efficiency.
	•	Mosaia AI Assistant: Introduced an AI tool for streamlined project management, from briefs to vendor selection.

Advancing Decentralized Marketplaces at Protocol Labs
In addition to Mosaia, I contributed to Protocol Labs’ Web3 marketplace initiative. This platform empowers users with control over their data and interactions, fostering a decentralized ecosystem where builders, innovators, and service providers thrive.

Key Contributions:

	•	User-Centric Ownership: Designed a platform ensuring user ownership and control.
	•	Bilateral Reputation System: Architected a review system promoting accountability for both service seekers and providers.
	•	Data Portability: Enabled users to control their data, ensuring flexibility within the platform.

At Protocol Labs, I focused on creating innovative solutions that intersect AI and Web3, paving the way for a future where enterprise service procurement is efficient, trustworthy, and decentralized.

Entrepreneur in Residence / Marketplace Startup Operator

Bo Insights

Helping companies launch and grow new software products by consulting on go to market strategy (GTM), product-market fit (PMF), post-sale software implementation, and user adoption.

Healthtech Startup | 2021 – 2022
I led research, ideation, user interviews, website design, contracting, and onboarding for the creation of a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO). Due to the non-technical nature of the user base I abstracted away the complexity to convey the importance of incentive alignment in an effort to disrupt and democratize behavioral healthcare services. This successfully drove community engagement and resulted in over 200 member applications in the first 30 days of soft-launch with no budget.

Freelance Consultant

Internal Revenue Service

I managed a portfolio of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products that were integral to a large-scale digital transformation program to enhance the taxpayer experience. My responsibilities included overseeing new implementations, ensuring that each deployment was on time, within scope, and fully aligned with the business objectives outlined in the project charter.

As a trusted advisor to the Wage and Investment division, which consists of over 37,000 employees, I was deeply involved in executive stakeholder management, developing detailed project plans, scheduling and coordinating multiple workstreams, tracking milestones, and providing status reports to senior leadership. My role required leading complex, multi-disciplinary projects that involved assessing organizational readiness, creating efficient workflows, and drafting solution design documents that clearly defined the project scope and goals.

One of the most significant projects under my leadership was the congressionally mandated launch of the Central Authorization File (CAF) cloud transformation. This project was a high-stakes initiative that went live in under three months, ultimately resulting in 500,000 submissions within the first year. Building on this success, I then led the expansion of the CAF system from 3 to 10 campuses nationwide, greatly enhancing its reach and operational effectiveness.

Another critical assignment involved taking over the Error Resolution System (ERS) installation, which had fallen three months behind schedule. Through proactive stakeholder engagement, identifying key decision-makers, and removing project blockers, I was able to establish a new schedule that brought the project back on track.

These experiences provided a deep understanding of senior stakeholder management, large-scale software implementations, chatbot design, cloud computing, and the broader challenges associated with digital transformation at a massive scale within a highly regulated environment.

Product Implementation Manager

Humanly

Mental health and wellness startup offering real estate as a service.

I spearheaded a dramatic turnaround for the company, moving it from the brink of insolvency and missed payroll to the verge of profitability within just 18 months. This transformation was achieved through a combination of strategic leadership, rigorous operational improvements, and a relentless focus on growth and efficiency.

One of my key initiatives was overseeing all aspects of employee and contractor hiring, personally scaling the organization’s headcount from a lean team of 2 to a robust and dynamic workforce of 19. This expansion was critical to supporting our growing customer base and ensuring the quality and consistency of our services across all locations.

During this period, we placed a strong emphasis on optimizing our existing locations, standardizing procedures, and refining our opening processes, which resulted in a 10x increase in top-line revenue. Our focus on improving the customer experience was paramount; we developed an automated marketing funnel that not only enhanced customer satisfaction but also created a powerful, scalable word-of-mouth sales engine. This strategy led to a remarkable 400% growth in sold but unopened locations, setting the stage for continued expansion.

All of this progress occurred in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, which presented significant challenges to our business model. Despite these hurdles, we successfully renegotiated vendor contracts to reduce costs, raised a crucial bridge round to maintain liquidity, and continued closing new sales, even in a climate of economic uncertainty. Fundraising during this period required proactive and transparent communication with investors, as well as the ability to make difficult, yet necessary, decisions to steer the company through turbulent times. Our ability to adapt, innovate, and persevere during these challenges laid the foundation for sustained success and positioned the company for future growth.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

SonderMind

SonderMind: Transforming Mental Healthcare Through a Digital Marketplace

In the competitive healthtech arena, SonderMind emerged as a trailblazer, reshaping mental healthcare from the heart of the Greater Denver Area. Our goal? Address the systemic inefficiencies that plague mental health services.

Revolutionizing Mental Healthcare Delivery
SonderMind's vision was clear: leverage the marketplace startup model to connect therapists and patients seamlessly. By building a two-sided marketplace, we aimed to break down traditional barriers, making mental healthcare access as streamlined as e-commerce.

The Growth Trajectory
From its inception, I was entrusted with guiding SonderMind from a nascent idea to a robust platform boasting a 5 MM run rate. Our growth strategy was multifaceted: meticulous product development, an agile operational roadmap, and fostering collaboration across diverse internal teams.

Operational Mastery in Healthtech
As SonderMind's footprint expanded, my focus shifted towards operational nuances. This involved spearheading key processes, cultivating teams, and mentoring leads. From product innovation to customer support and billing (Revenue Cycle Management or RCM), we grew exponentially. Our dedicated teams, totaling over 25 professionals, served a community of 500+ therapists and catered to the diverse needs of 20,000 clients.

Guided by Data and Goals
In the fast-paced world of marketplace startups, metrics are pivotal. Through rigorous OKRs (Objectives and Key Results), we ensured each team was goal-oriented and adaptive, enabling SonderMind to stay at the forefront of mental healthcare innovation.

SonderMind's Legacy
Marrying healthtech innovation with the crucial domain of mental healthcare, SonderMind stands as a testament to what's achievable when technology meets compassion.

Head of Product and Operations to Chief Experience Officer (CXO)

Uvize

A SaaS Startup's Evolution: From Innovation to Enterprise Success

SaaS startups often lie at the intersection of innovation and enterprise demand. Backed by renowned investors like Techstars and the Foundry Group Angel Syndicate, our company embarked on a journey to carve out a unique space in this competitive sector.

Guiding a Diverse Team
At our core was a team of engineers, designers, SDRs, and account executives. As the lead for sales operations, product, and support, I wore multiple hats, ensuring that our software solution resonated with clients while also overseeing the team's daily operations.

Meeting Real-World Scalability
Our engagement with over 30 universities, notably a 10K student SUNY campus, showcased our platform's adaptability. These implementations were more than just software rollouts; they required understanding each institution's specific needs and ensuring our solutions aligned.

Refining Sales and Market Strategy
Enterprise sales in the SaaS realm go beyond pitching software features. Our Go-to-Market strategies were tailored to address institutional needs, ensuring our pitches and demos resonated. Furthermore, pinpointing the right product-market-fit was crucial. My role often involved delving into various business areas, leading to strategic shifts in our target market and pricing, which subsequently fueled our year-over-year revenue growth.

Valuable Experience
Our startup's growth journey underscores the importance of agility in the SaaS sector. For SaaS companies looking to succeed, it's vital to balance software innovation with strategic market positioning while also realizing that early-stage SaaS sales is one of the truest implementations of Boyd’s OODA loop.  The goal is to iterate as fast as possible to find product-market-fit in a vertical you can scale into.  That is no small task, especially while fighting against very limited runway.

VP of Product and Operations

Northwood Investment Partners LLC

Regional sales representative for a registered investment advisor managing accounts with a value oriented strategy.  We use our financial and operational expertise to identify undervalued companies and special situations to invest in utilizing equities, options and above average cash balances in a concentrated portfolio that offers an asymmetric risk/reward profile.

I developed marketing strategy, sales operations and branding/messaging.

Regional Associate

Occipital

Pioneering the Future of Computer Vision: A Business Development Odyssey

In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology startups, it's the blend of cutting-edge innovation and astute business acumen that sets industry leaders apart. Our venture, backed by the formidable Foundry Group during its Series A funding round, is an embodiment of this synergy. Positioned at the vanguard of computer vision, our company sought to bridge the realms of mobile software and hardware, crafting products that would redefine user interactions in the digital age.

The 0 to 1 Leap
Rooted in extensive market research, our vision materialized into a tangible physical product, evidenced by our successful Kickstarter campaign that garnered $1.3 MM in a month. This wasn't just about a product but a testament to a well-executed business development strategy that resonated with our target audience.  Credit to Adam for his media connections and Jeff for extremely high production standards.

Operational Excellence & Team Growth
Transitioning from Series A to Series B brought operational challenges and opportunities. As our revenue surged 10x and the team expanded 4x, a meticulous hiring process was crucial. Every interview was an exercise in ensuring a match with our startup culture, emphasizing adaptability and passion for computer vision.

Streamlining Hardware Operations
Our journey also involved mastering the supply chain and distribution logistics for our B2C hardware offering. This operational challenge meant optimizing everything from production lines to support systems, ensuring our product reached users seamlessly.

Forging Sales Pathways
Despite being a newcomer without strong brand recognition, our strategic approach to channel partner sales paid off, yielding contracts exceeding $5 MM. This was my primary focus and showed the undeniable innovation and value our product brought to the table.

Director Of Business Operations

I help companies identify, launch, and scale new products.  While the technology itself plays a big role in any new product, I focus on the human factors as much as the technology.

In my previous and current roles, I've taken products and even whole companies from nothing to 2 to 5 million in ARR four separate times now.  In some ways I guess you could say my specialty is 0 to 1, go to market (GTM), greenfield opportunities, or new ventures.  Whether it's an early-stage company that needs that kind of growth, a later stage company looking to launch new products, or an incubator/studio, then I am interested in having a conversation.  

I love quotes - in case you haven't noticed - and equate them to concentrated shots of wisdom.  I also write about life lessons, startups, and whatever it is I'm learning about.  I enjoy learning, especially the early part where the learning curve is steep. So I often write a series of 3, 5, or 10 posts about the same topic.  Then, I move on to the next one so if you subscribe, you better love to learn about new topics!

If you remember one thing, know that I believe no matter what obstacle we may face we can overcome it.  That if we work together, then we can make the world a better place.  It may sound trite, but it's a necessary belief when the media around you is yelling that the world is continually ending!

Mark V. Smetanin

Unlock Success for Airbnb and Short-Term Rental Business. Recently by Improving the Product - Increased Engagement by 42% , conversion rate by 74%, and acquired 2.5M new users.

As a product management leader with over eight years of experience in payments, e-commerce, Airbnb business, property management, I am a fan of technology and its application to drive business growth.My expertise lies in product management, agile coaching, portfolio management, and strategic planning.I have experience in increasing user engagement, optimizing technical processes and leading high-performance teams.

Key Highlights:

Director of Product Management: Enhanced user engagement by 16% and improved product value description by 14% through strategic market research and collaboration.

Senior Product Portfolio Manager: Managed a $1.2M project, leading to an $8M revenue projection and a 17% increase in Net Promoter Score. 
Risk assessment methods were applied, which reduced project disruptions by 24%.

Head of Product Strategy: Increased customer engagement by 42%, improved conversion rates by 74%, and acquired 2.5M new users—reduced marketing expenses by 28% by addressing critical pain points.

Skills and Expertise:

Product Management/Product Owner: Agile Frameworks, Scrum, Kanban, SAFe
Technical Proficiency: Jira, Asana, Hubspot, Salesforce
Industry Expertise: Fintech, E-commerce, Property Management, Vacation Rentals
Certifications: PMI-ACP, PMI-PMP, CSM, CSPO

Professional Experience:

Nine years in product management, agile transformation, and strategic planning
I have experience in leading cross-functional teams to deliver high performance products.
Skilled in negotiating and managing key partnerships and stakeholders

Interests:

The God's Flow State, Coffee, Stand-up comedy, Kite surfing, Skiing, Music, martial arts (2 black belts), Reading, and Hiking.

Technology Stack:

Jira, Jira Service Desk, Hubspot, Asana, Zoho Projects, Microsoft Project, Basecamp, ClickUp, Todoist, PipelineCRM, Freedcamp, Hive, Monday, Trello, Time tracker, Pivotal Tracker, Slack,Excel, Powerpoint, MS Sharepoint, MS Visio, MS Project, MS Access, Prezzi, Numbers, Pages, Photoshop, Lightroom, Planview, Linux, FreeBSD, Quality Center, ZohoCRM, ZenDesk, Zoho Desk, Fresh Desk, Vivantio Help Desk, FreshService, Salesforce Service Cloud, Hootsuite, WordPress, HTML, CSS, OBS, Mindmaps, Focus Matrix, Dropbox Paper, Skitch, Insightly CRM, Payment Gates (Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, Square, Braintree, Stripe, Paypal, Authorize.net, 2checkout, Payoneer, Bitpay, Shopify Payments), Google Analytics, Google Search Tool, Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, MCP, Rentals United, Avirato, Expedia, Booking.com, Airbnb, VRBO, PMS, Glovebox, Coterie, Risk Advisor, AWS, Crowe CRM, Salesforc

Lead Product Manager / Product Owner / Consultant

•     Improved a Product using a customer journey map, understanding and prioritizing the most critical pain points in the most profitable segment. Provided clear concept and design strategy. Collaborated with Dev and UX teams. Increased customer engagement by 226%, Improved conversion rate by 74%, and acquired 2.5M, new users.

•     Planned and facilitated an extraordinary spike for (AI) Artificial Intelligence tools and prompts. Fixed and resolved seven major issues when team members just felt stuck. 

•     Raised team confidence after the last check-in. Positive emotions and gratitude are on our happiness radar. The current sprint is 100% happiness VS 78% at the previous sprint. 

•     Organized the most efficient communication with stakeholders and implemented advanced product backlog refinement, reducing the backlog by 16%.

•    Stepped forward with special coaching from our Unique Coach and very advanced Scum Master. Differentiated workflow steps, business rule variations, variations in data, and interface variations, polished and deepened INVEST criteria. Dramatically improved the slicing of our vertical stories. Delivered value ~20% faster with the smallest increments to our customers. 

•   Implemented automated test script, additional smoke test after the build is released to QA, and code review by peers. Armed new Definition of Done (DOD) for our dev team. Changed Sprint Planning Agenda. Raised team confidence level in delivering the sprint goals to 94%. 

•    Implemented automated test script and code review by peers. Armed new Definition of Done (DOD) for our dev team. 

•     Collected the data via Web-tracking and customer interviews,  tested and validated assumptions with the development team. Provided much precise anatomy of personas. Redesigned current marketing campaign reducing waist by 28%

Spikes:
Sustainable and environmentally conscious business practices
Enterprise Agile: Changing your culture

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Bo Bergstrom 🌎

Mark V. Smetanin

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