About

Cleophus (Cleo) P. Franklin Jr. transforms good organizations into market leaders. Over 35 years, he has driven over $2 billion in measurable business value across Fortune 500 enterprises and emerging ventures spanning four continents.

As a senior executive at Mahindra, Case-New Holland, and John Deere, Franklin developed a rare expertise: turning strategic vision into operational reality. His most notable achievement came at Mahindra, where his go-to-market strategy propelled the company from #6 to #3 in the North American tractor market share—a feat that redefined competitive dynamics in a mature industry.

Today, as Founder and CEO of Franklin Strategic Solutions, Franklin partners with mid-market to Fortune 500 organizations facing critical inflection points. His clients consistently achieve remarkable results: triple-digit revenue growth, 25% cost reductions, 40% improvements in customer satisfaction, and 15% market expansion. What sets Franklin apart is his refusal to deliver reports that gather dust—he embeds with leadership teams to ensure implementation and measurable outcomes.

A prolific thought leader, Franklin has authored ten influential books, including "Coffee with Cleo" and "Conversations with Cleo." As a Senior Corporate Fellow and Adjunct Professor at the University of Houston-Downtown and through the Franklin Leadership Foundation, he invests in developing the next generation of strategic leaders.

Franklin's accolades include induction into Morningside University's Hall of Fame, the Mahindra Business Hall of Fame (with his leadership colleagues), and the FFA Honorary American Degree. But he's most proud of a simple metric: clients who return for subsequent engagements because the first one delivered transformational value.

Based in Houston, Franklin serves organizations ready to make strategic moves that matter.