Michael Neil Graham
E-Mail: greysage1@gmail.com
Web: www.michaelngraham.com
Profile
A senior executive with over 35 years of demonstrated leadership and accomplishments in the areas of marketing communications, management and politics. Served on the Board of Directors of several companies. Currently an author whose first book is a biographical humorous account entitled Boss Nova Odyssey of four phases of his business career. Working on a second book now.
Professional Experience
Greysage, LLC Principal
(January 2008-Present)
Greysage, LLC currently focuses on consultancy opportunities in a variety of business sectors ranging from marketing services, technology, transportation, and hospitality.
East Restaurant Sao Paulo, Brazil
(2004-2008)
“East” which brought the concept of Pan Asian cuisine to Sao Paulo Brazil in this the third restaurant venture of Greysage. Selected by Brazil’s equivalent of the Michelin Guide for three years in a row as one of the best restaurants in Brazil, “East” has been the place to be for famous people in the fashion industry, TV, movies, advertising, business and government. Created the restaurant, managed all personnel and details of the operation and secured all capital for the project.
Other career highlights:
WPP Group, plc. World’s largest advertising and marketing services holding company.
J. Walter Thompson CEO Worldwide ThompsonConnect
Global responsibility for CRM unit for the main agency—my charge had offices in 31 locations worldwide with over 600 employees and $525 million in annualized billings.
RTCdirect President & CEO
A WPP Group, plc, customer relationship marketing (CRM) agency based in Washington, DC. With 200 employees
Targeted Communications Sr VP
A CRM agency part of the worldwide network of Ogilvy&Mather Advertising
Early Professional Experiences
Background ranged from politics to marketing to owning my own businesses.
Governor of Utah
Chief of Staff for five years
United States Senate Campaign (2)
-Campaign Director
-Head of Fundraising
Governor’s Campaign (2)
-Head of Fundraising
United States House
-Fundraising Director
City of San Francisco
Director of Tourism Development
Snowbird Ski Resort, Utah
Restaurant Owner
Education
Windham College, Putney Vermont
BA in International Relations and Politics
Continuing Education Courses:
Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Communications Management
Oxford University, England--Continuing Education
Born in London, England and holds dual citizenship: UK/US
Have worked, traveled and lived in: US, Europe, South America, Asia and Australia.
Speak Portuguese at the conversational level
Articles, Directorships, Speaking
-Atticus Award from WPP Group for article on “Knowing your Customer”
-Out of the Blue Magazine –Winter 1999 J. Walter Thompson
“Leading the E-commerce revolution”
-Multiple speaking engagements in: US, Argentina, India, Spain, France, Thailand and Japan
-Board of Directors: J Walter Thompson---world’s oldest advertising agency with 200 offices in 90 countries and 4 technology and consulting companies
-Boss Nova Odyssey a humorous book about my life/business experiences in the US and in Brazil. Currently working on a second book.
“The second half of Graham’s memoir details the joys and challenges of operating a restaurant in a foreign country. His tone is casual and self-deprecating and he offers hard-won, useful advice to would-be entrepreneurs....that delivers some worthy business tips and entertaining anecdotes.”
– Kirkus Reviews
BOOK REVIEW
THE BOSS NOVA ODYSSEY
BY Michael Graham • POSTED ON June 30, 2017
A debut memoir recounts running a restaurant in Brazil.
Graham begins his book with the opening of East, a restaurant in São Paulo that he describes as “Shanghai opium den meets London lounge.” Although he lived in Brazil as a child, he spent most of his career in the U.S. In his 20s, he opened Forklift, a restaurant at a Utah ski resort. Optimistic and impulsive, Graham knew little about business but outlined a seven-step plan, starting with “get inspired” and ending with “live the dream.” Forklift flourished but he soon grew bored: “Work was now drudgery...I needed change.” He became chief of staff for Utah Gov. Scott Matheson and then moved to Washington, D.C., and spent many years in advertising. In each of these jobs, he found success; he was the “new boss.” But again, he grew restless, and after visiting Brazil on business, he decided to open East. The second half of Graham’s memoir details the joys and challenges of operating a restaurant in a foreign country. Tellingly, he never learned to speak Portuguese and seemed constantly in awe of and frustrated by Brazilian life. He recognized inequality and discovered that his staff saw him as a “gringo conquistador.” He aspired to a unique menu and décor but found himself “caving in to Brazilian expectations, sushi,” and open seating so guests could “show off their latest botox treatment.” Through financial, staffing, and menu troubles, East thrived for four years. Graham returned to America to write his memoir yet his chatty book reads like a crowded fusion restaurant, as if he began talking over drinks and stopped only when the establishment closed. His chapter titles suggest a similar pace. His tone is casual and self-deprecating and he offers hard-won, useful advice to would-be entrepreneurs. But the work is unfocused and uneven. He spends several pages on his dog chasing a squirrel, for instance, but mentions his children in just a few words. The volume’s most enjoyable parts focus on East.
A meandering account that delivers some worthy business tips and entertaining anecdotes.
Review Posted Online: Feb. 22, 2018
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