Russell Harwood

Trailblazer
DISC Type : ID

Chief Customer Officer at Mindhive Global

Overview

Russell is a fractional Chief Customer Officer helping SaaS businesses in Auckland turn their customer base into a growth engine. With 25 years of international experience in the UK, Germany, and Turkey, he leverages data insights for customer engagement. He is also a Chartered Accountant, bringing financial acumen to his customer-centric strategies.

Outside of his fractional roles, Russell is passionate about fostering professional communities. He actively organizes and promotes regular breakfast meet-ups for the Customer Success community in Auckland, creating a space for peers to share insights and best practices.

Unique fact: He combines his expertise as a Chartered Accountant with customer success leadership to drive commercial outcomes.

Personality Overview

Informal

Assertive

Achievement-Oriented

They are more likely to be open to unproven but exciting technologies.  They do not mind taking risks and can make hard decisions, if necessary. They will fight for you if they come to believe in you.

Topics They Care About

SaaS Customer Growth
His entire professional focus is on helping SaaS and subscription businesses turn their customer base into an engine for sustainable growth through customer success strategies.
Net Revenue Retention
He specifically focuses on designing and implementing strategies and playbooks aimed at driving Net Revenue Retention (NRR) growth for his clients.
CS Community Building
He frequently organizes and hosts the Auckland Customer Success Community breakfast meet-ups to foster conversation and share insights among professionals in the field.

Media Appearances

Russell has no verified media appearances

Work History

7-2025
Chief Customer Officer at Mindhive Global
4-2025
Fractional Chief Customer Officer at Proxi
9-2022
Director, Fractional Chief Customer Officer (vCCO) at The Success Service
5-2023 - 10-2025
Head of Customer (fractional) at SMX – Email Cyber Security Specialists
6-2024 - 12-2024
Customer Strategy Consultant at Sky New Zealand

Education

Chartered Accountant from ICAEW
Executive Program from Maastricht University School of Business and Economics

More Information

Social Presence :

Prographics :

Exp : 3 Location : N/A Job Level : Leadership Designation : Chief Customer Officer at Mindhive Global
URL has been copied!

Insights For Selling To Russell

During A Call Or A Meeting

DO's

  • Display high self-confidence and expect them to have a strong personality.
  • Address your competition clearly and confidently
  • Ask them for a lunch or coffee once some rapport has been established

DONT's

  • Don’t hesitate from asking questions or pushing them, but take a friendly approach
  • Don’t hesitate from asking them how they truly feel about your product
  • Don’t force involvement of other stakeholders unless it is critical

When Cold Calling

When Writing An Email

While Negotiating & Closing

    The secret to closing fast with Russell is

  • Relationship and product conviction matter equally, followed by a sense of achievement.
  • Will you ever get a clear answer from Russell

  • If they are not convinced, they will say no albeit in a friendly manner.


Insights For Deal Planning

    How fast (or slow) will Russell move?

  • They can reach decisions quickly if they develop trust and confidence in the product.
  • Can Russell take some risk or not?

  • They can take risks if necessary.

You And Russell

Personality Compatibility


More Profiles

Discover additional public profiles from our index.

Search more profiles

Looking for someone else? Search here for anyone.

Or visit Humantic AI to know more.