What I Do
In essence, what I do is understand the technology, fast, with a short lead time, I climb the learning curve quickly, and then match that with business objectives. My brain is wired in the same way as a computer. Give me your mobile phone I can send a text message or change your settings in 2 minutes. I just get it.
At the same time, I understand the business objectives. I’m not a geek with no knowledge of the real world outside the technology. I started my own business at 17 and ran that IT company for around 6 years before getting involved in a few other businesses and then relocating to Bangkok.
My experience, while limited by my youth, is across a very wide range of projects. I’ve organised national festivals for local government, consulted on multi-million dollar constructions projects, conducted Needs Analysis studies for academic institutions, and managed the out-sourced IT of small to medium sized companies.
At the core of it all, what I do is understand the technology fast, that’s the benefit of youth, then I research the business objectives and drivers, and balance the two. It can be in the form of consultancy, hands on technical service, user reviews and training, or web development. In recent years I’ve moved away from the hands on work and no longer want to be involved in things like writing code, installing software, managing servers, etc. My focus has shifted to the more strategic level of analysing requirements, making recommendations based on a balance of business and technology, and then managing projects to completion.
I’m also an accomplished public speaker having led the JCI Edinburgh debating team in the national competition two years running and won Best Debater in Edinburgh in my first year. I sat on the board of JCI Edinburgh as membership director and oversaw a 40% rise in membership in the year we won Best Chamber in the World from 6′000 local chambers for the third year in a row.
Examples
I worked on a $30m project in Malta for an major international construction firm. The project was to review their management of subcontractors, with a view to making the process more technology orientated and tightening their commercial procedures. They were paying subcontractors without ensuring the work was scheduled or finished properly. I conducted interviews with key people from the project manager to the subcontractor supervisors, reviewed their processes over 3 site visits, compiled a report and presented this to their senior management.
A simpler example, I worked with a recruitment company for two days consultancy. They had an existing, bespoke database and wanted an external, professional opinion on whether they should retain and develop it or find an alternative solution. I interviewed the key stakeholders (users, management and technical staff), examined the code and database structure, produced a report and made a presentation to their senior management on my recommendation.
Community Examples
At 18 I established a local Safe Routes to School group with my local primary school. I worked with parents and teachers to lobby local government. The project resulted in the introduction of road saftey training for children and the installation of speed reduction measures and improved road safety around the school. This was also part of a local initiative that successfully lobbied for the introduction of speed restrictions around schools in Edinburgh.
I took over as the coordinator of an annual festival called BikeFest and successfully managed the event on behalf of local government for four years. This involved managing a team of volunteers, working with community organisations to encourage them to be represented at the event, managing the equipment and resources required for the event and coordinating the entertainment and music. I was also responsible for overseeing the event on the day.
More Info
For more information on my background or if you would like to discuss my professional services, complete the form below.
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