Sailing
Melike Karaman
COO, Board Member, Digital Transformation Professional
Kadıköy,34
Summary
Managed Services, MSP, IT Service Management, ITIL, Product Management, Software Service Management, Hospitality Technologies, Team Management, Hardware Service Management, Product Management, Oracle Hospitality, Opera, Fidelio, Micros, Simphony, Connectwise
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
10
10
years of post-secondary education
5
5
Certificates
1
1
Language
Work History
Lecturer
Ozyegin University Hotel Management - Gastronomy & Culinary Arts
2 2019 - Current
- As an instructor leading the course 'Fundamentals of Information Systems and Hospitality Technologies,' my mission is to empower students with a comprehensive understanding of how technology intersects with the hospitality industry
- Through a blend of theoretical insights and practical applications, I strive to equip students with the skills needed to thrive in a technology-driven business landscape
- My aim is to cultivate a learning environment where students not only grasp the core principles but also develop the adaptability to integrate emerging technologies into real-world hospitality practices
- Ultimately, I aspire to foster a new generation of professionals who are well-versed in technology, capable of staying ahead of industry trends, and prepared to make meaningful contributions to the hospitality sector.
Chief Operating Officer, Board Member
Eclit
02.2021 - 04.2024
- Eclit is a leading Managed IT services company specializing in products and services for both Enterprise and SME markets
- The company was formed by the merger of Pukta and Clonera under the umbrella of Turkven (a leading private equity firm)
- In my role as COO and Board Member, my responsibilities were: - Managed data center operations across 9 data centers spanning 3 cities
- This involved managing a range of technologies including HPE Green Lake, Pure, Veeam, Vmware, Proxmox, Zerto, - Managed 7x24x365 technical operation teams including monitoring, service desk, OS management, network management, virtualization, backup and disaster recovery, as well as server and storage management, all while adhering to strict SLAs, - Managed project and service delivery teams, ensuring seamless execution and customer success and satisfaction, - Managed contract and invoicing operations, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in all financial transactions, - Expense budget management consisting of personnel, data center, and all other operational expenses.
Partner Associate
knotpartners
12.2018 - 02.2021
- Provided consultancy services to the IT and hospitality industries (process standardization, optimization, training, budget preparation, recruitment, and due diligence).
Chief Executive Officer
Protel Bilgisayar A.Ş.
01.2017 - 03.2018
- Managed a revenue budget of $30 million, led the team of 230+ employees
- Achieved scheduled revenue & expense goals despite adverse market conditions
- Developed and implemented a new marketing plan, re-established marketing and sales organizations based on the changed environment of business
- Re-organized the employee benefit system for service delivery and project teams
- Changed service delivery model from on-duty system to shift working scheme
- Relocated local and international partner relations to an efficient and cooperative tier
- Received 'Best Hotel Project 2017' award from Oracle for the Dogus Hotels Group Opera Multi-Property implementation project in 4 countries (for getting local country partners to joint venture and delivering the project in a very short time period with complete customer satisfaction).
Director, Client Services and Product Management
Protel Bilgisayar A.Ş.
05.2005 - 01.2017
- Acted as the lead individual for the Hospitality software solutions line of company
- Ensured that the company delivers peerless levels of client service from project start to 7x24 365 days maintenance delivery and ensuring all contracts are delivered in sufficient quality, in line with client expectations and at required profit levels
- Managed a team of product managers, project managers, support specialists, who are delivering service to more than 600+ high-class hotels and 3500+ restaurant/bar/cafe locations including prestigious local and international chain clients
- Managed the stages of the complete client life cycle
- Built and managed partner relations from local and international markets.
Partner Associate
PROMISE Consulting, Hotels-Restaurants-Catering
01.2002 - 01.2005
- Provided consultancy services to the hospitality industry (process standardization, optimization, training, budget preparation, recruitment, and due diligence)
- Established long-term project partnerships with Taksim Otelcilik A.Ş., Naturland Eco Park and Resort Hotels, STFA Euroserve, and Protel A.Ş.)
Audit and Process Manager
Naturland Eco Park & Resort Hotels
01.1999 - 01.2002
- Pioneered the introduction of eco-tourism in the Antalya region, becoming the first hotel business to embrace this concept across three hotels and a timeshare property
- Collaborated with the concept creators to establish operational procedures aimed at developing and sustaining the eco-tourism theme
- Oversaw recruitment, training, and IT operations
- Directed property operations in the absence of the General Manager
- Served as the opening manager for the 'Forest Resort Hotel.'
Training and Product Manager
Protel Bilgisayar A.Ş.
06.1992 - 06.1999
- Initially, I served as an implementation and training specialist for the Fidelio Property Management System (Hotel ERP)
- Following this role, I was promoted to Training Manager, where I led hotel implementation projects and internal training initiatives to support the company's expansion
- Later, I transitioned into product management roles for both the Fidelio PMS and Sales & Catering systems.
Audit and Process Supervisor
Alarko Tourism Group - Hillside
03.1995 - 02.1996
- Managed IT operations, reporting, and process audits
Education
Bachelor's degree - Economics
Istanbul University
01.1988 - 04.1991
Bachelor of Business Administration - BBA - Post-Graduate Certificate on Contemporary Business Management
Marmara University
01.1991 - 04.1992
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Kadıköy Kız Lisesi
01.1982 - 04.1987
Skills
IT Service Management
Managed IT Services, MSP OPS
Hospitality Technologies
ITIL
Aquisition Integration
Digital Transformation
Software Implementation
Business Process Design
Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
Budget Management
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI Strategy
AI Project Management
Certification
UC Berkley Artificial Intelligence: Business Strategies and Applications
Interests
Publications
- Listed as one of the "50 Successful female CEOs of Turkey" list in 2018 by the Ekonomist magazine
- Top Hotel Project 2017 Award (Oracle Hospitality)
Publications
- Listed as one of the "50 Successful female CEOs of Turkey" list in 2018 by the Ekonomist magazine
- Top Hotel Project 2017 Award (Oracle Hospitality)
Timeline
UC Berkley Artificial Intelligence: Business Strategies and Applications
06-2024
Chief Operating Officer, Board Member
Eclit
02.2021 - 04.2024
Certificate Program in Digital and Social Media Marketing Management
01-2019
Partner Associate
knotpartners
12.2018 - 02.2021
Chief Executive Officer
Protel Bilgisayar A.Ş.
01.2017 - 03.2018
IIBA CBAP International Business Analyst
10-2015
ITIL Foundation (2011) Certification
07-2014
One-To-One Coaching Proctor Gallagher Institute
07-2009
Director, Client Services and Product Management
Protel Bilgisayar A.Ş.
05.2005 - 01.2017
Partner Associate
PROMISE Consulting, Hotels-Restaurants-Catering
01.2002 - 01.2005
Audit and Process Manager
Naturland Eco Park & Resort Hotels
01.1999 - 01.2002
Audit and Process Supervisor
Alarko Tourism Group - Hillside
03.1995 - 02.1996
Training and Product Manager
Protel Bilgisayar A.Ş.
06.1992 - 06.1999
Bachelor of Business Administration - BBA - Post-Graduate Certificate on Contemporary Business Management
Marmara University
01.1991 - 04.1992
Bachelor's degree - Economics
Istanbul University
01.1988 - 04.1991
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Kadıköy Kız Lisesi
01.1982 - 04.1987
Lecturer
Ozyegin University Hotel Management - Gastronomy & Culinary Arts
2 2019 - Current