Karl Gustafson

Director

Karl has nearly 15 years of experience in helping businesses and product lines grow profitably. His strengths, passions and experience primarily reside in identifying and exploiting market opportunities, overcoming business challenges and launching new products and strategies.

During Karl’s tenure at CMG Partners, he has helped companies with their growth strategy, positioning, strategic partnerships, due diligence, marketing effectiveness and segmentation across a range of industries including education, industrial goods, technology, telecommunications, and transportation.

Prior to joining CMG Partners, Karl most recently worked on corporate development activities for a strategic business unit of Honeywell identifying and evaluating strategic growth opportunities. Before this, he led the strategic marketing activities for a global line of business of Honeywell defining the five-year strategic roadmap, leading M&A activities and strategic growth initiatives. Karl has held multiple product management roles at Honeywell, culminating in leading a global product category. During his product management tenure, he successfully defined and implemented tactical and strategic plans to drive profitable growth.

Karl started his career in a sales and marketing leadership development program at Honeywell and earned his B.S. in engineering from Bradley University and his M.B.A. in marketing and entrepreneurship from University of Wisconsin - Madison.

Specialties:
  • Market positioning and strategy development
  • Market opportunity assessment and realization
  • Segmentation and value proposition development
  • Innovation pipeline development and planning
  • Business-to-business and hybrid business models
  • Technology-related industry sectors
Books of inspiration: Words to live by:
  • "Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other." - Abraham Lincoln
Outside of CMGP:
  • Spends time with his wife and daughter
  • Attempts to improve his golf game
  • Follows college basketball or football (depending on the season)