Mazen Almalki

As a Founding Business Development Manager (BDM) at Otlaat, a tech-driven travel startup, I played a key role in scaling operations, optimizing workflows, and driving B2B partnerships. My responsibilities spanned across multiple areas, with a focus on strategic outreach, process automation, and the development of innovative solutions to streamline the customer journey.

Key Responsibilities and Achievements:

• Partnerships & B2B Development:
• Cultivated and nurtured relationships with key travel suppliers and partners, negotiating competitive terms and improving service offerings for clients.
• Established a credit-based partnership model, enabling more flexible and efficient financial transactions for B2B clients.
  Led the development of strategic partnerships with local and international travel agencies, expanding Otlaat's service portfolio.
• Sales & CRM Optimization:
• Implemented and optimized CRM systems (Pipedrive, Airtable, Zapier) to automate sales processes, track leads, and optimize conversion rates, resulting in a more streamlined sales pipeline.
• Managed WhatsApp-based sales processes, including automation and handling of inbound leads, achieving a conversion rate of 3.5% for travel packages.
• Developed comprehensive sales commission structures, optimizing tiered incentive models based on revenue goals and sales performance.
• Technology & Automation Integration:
• Led the integration of AI-driven tools to reduce manual administrative work, such as Rhetora.ai for sales enablement, which significantly improved operational efficiency.
• Spearheaded the implementation of data tracking and automated follow-up workflows using platforms like Zapier and Pipedrive, reducing manual intervention and enhancing customer engagement.
  Developed and refined workflows that linked sales processes with marketing automation, ensuring a smooth handoff from lead generation to closing deals.
• Marketing & Digital Strategy:
• Designed and executed digital marketing campaigns targeting Saudi audiences, particularly through Google Ads and Meta platforms, increasing brand visibility and lead generation.
• Focused on creating high-converting ad copy in both Arabic and English for travel destinations like Malaysia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan.
  Analyzed ad performance metrics and adjusted targeting strategies to maximize ROI, continually refining ad creatives and targeting approaches.
• Client Relations & Customer Journey:
• Managed the end-to-end client experience for B2B and B2C transactions, ensuring a seamless booking and support process for both travel packages and air tickets.
• Provided personalized solutions for clients' travel needs, from itinerary creation to hotel and flight booking, leading to high customer satisfaction and repeat business.
  Delivered post-sale support, including handling customer inquiries, resolving issues, and ensuring timely responses to all client queries.
• Training & Team Management:
• Led training sessions for the sales team, focusing on objection handling, client qualification, and process improvements in CRM systems.
• Managed remote teams, ensuring consistent performance and fostering a results-oriented, collaborative work environment.
• Financial & Performance Metrics:
• Monitored financial metrics, ensuring profitability caps on agent commissions and tracking performance across various channels.
  Designed and maintained financial tracking sheets in Airtable to calculate and report on agent commissions, package profits, and customer payments.

• Co-Founder & Leadership:
• Selected for Techstars Miami 2023 cohort; secured pre‑seed investment.
• Spearheaded the development and growth of the platform, leading strategic vision and business development initiatives.
• Drove the adoption of AI-powered automation tools, minimizing manual admin work for sales teams, and reducing operational costs by 30%.
• Collaborated closely with the engineering team to refine AI algorithms and ensure the platform met the evolving needs of sales professionals.
• Sales Enablement & AI Integration:
• Developed and launched Rhetora’s core features, including intelligent workflows and real-time data analysis tools.
• Oversaw the integration of AI tools with CRM platforms like Pipedrive and Salesforce, enhancing lead tracking, nurturing, and conversion rates.
  Reduced lead response time by 40% through automation of follow-up emails, meeting scheduling, and task prioritization using AI.
• Client Acquisition & Partnerships:
• Led outreach and negotiation efforts to secure B2B partnerships, positioning Rhetora.ai as an indispensable tool for large enterprises and sales teams.
• Established relationships with strategic partners, expanding the user base and achieving a 50% growth in platform users within the first year.
• Product Development & Strategy:
• Worked on refining the user experience (UX) of the platform, ensuring a seamless integration of sales workflows with AI-driven automation processes.
• Played a key role in product roadmap planning, prioritizing new features based on user feedback and market demand.