"Anyone that is intimidated by me is simply demonstrating that they are the wrong person for their own job..."

Overview

Dubbed "the Idea Guy" by the Kansas City Business Journal in an in-depth profile, Eric has a long and successful track record of designing and developing some of the world's most innovative and unique systems for both government and industry.

A true maverick and world class system's designer/developer, Eric has designed and developed systems as well as taught workshops and seminars for entities across the globe.  A recognized expert, published author and key-note speaker on the subject of Requirements Analysis and System Design, he utilizes a remarkable analytical talent to translate his client's system needs into reality and has often been called upon to develop unique new systems that had never previously been attempted.  In fact, his professional expertise was also called into play after the 9/11/2001 disaster when he was summoned to Washington D.C. to participate in the drafting of the National Strategy on Public Warning.

I consider system process to be significantly more than its design, development and implementation; it is the total management of the process, including the management of change within the organization affected by the system.  If an internal staff is used for the project it is transitioning them from a "maintenance" mode into a development team, and then back again when the project is complete.  It is the ability to cope with unforeseen situations, and manage both the project and the expectations of senior management accordingly.

Many IS/IT managers are relatively inexperienced in the full design and development process having never led one. Others may have participated in one or two.  Very few will have the experience of dozens of projects over as many industries. Inexperience in poor project planning and estimation can and will compound during the development process.(see Project Estimation, and Engineering Design Study/Requirements Analysis)

Many IS/IT managers fail to realize that each new development project, outside of its technological aspects, is a career and human development project as well for each of the team members including themselves.  They are unprepared as mentors and often not skilled or practiced in the developmental approach to adult education, a factor that "stunts" the professional growth of a team in a time ripe with opportunity.  Moreover, squandering such an opportunity is not only remiss in their responsibility to their team, but also to the client or organization since it has both tangible and intangible implications on the "bottom line".

So the system process is significantly more than just managing its technological aspects.  it is the ability to manage (guide) talented and creative people.  If one cannot do that, the IS/IT team may well be known more for its creativity in excuses of why something cannot be done, or why it cannot be finished on time or within budget, than it is for creativity and innovation in its work product.

That's just my opinion, your mileage may vary.  Mine is based on over 35 years of experience having fun doing it.

News...

1 AUG 2007 - A Change in the Wind...

You want innovation????

Maybe everything is about to change... user experiences, user interfaces, administrative interfaces, Internet marketing, Search Engine Optimization...

15 OCT 2006 - My.[orgname].com Applications Formally Announced

An application designed specifically for Clubs, Associations, Organizations,etc. that provides them with a complete "social community" for their members was announced by Eric. "Why should MySpace and other social networks like them be getting the Ad Revenue from your membership. Those revenues can amount to $50-$100 per year per active online member... more than most organizations charge for dues. It is a way for these organizations to earn additional, sometimes significant revenues".

• A recognized expert in Business Requirements Analysis with excellent communications skills capable of advising senior management and/or clients on all facets of cutting edge technology, concepts, methods and techniques as they apply to individual organizations or business units.
• Highly qualified and experienced across multiple industries and disciplines in the Design, Development and implementation of dynamic, innovative and often unique world class systems and networks.
• A team builder and leader capable of interfacing with personnel and management at all levels, managing change, and guiding, mentoring and enhancing the professional development of the IS/IT staff. Also experienced in working and developing a synergism with vendors, clients and outside consultants.
• A leader skilled in the utilization of Performance Based Objectives and the developmental approach to education to share knowledge and experience and enhance the capabilities of personnel throughout the organization.
• A System Designer who has often been recognized as being months to years ahead of the technology curve in my innovation, and have often been called upon by government, business and industry when unique new technologies are required.
• A proven track record of success.
• An item never in the job description and difficult to describe unless one has participated, I'm often called upon by the CEO, board members or other top management to utilize my analytical abilities to "war game" a particular subject or idea.  Sometimes technology related, often not, sometimes to reinforce a concept, sometimes to play the "devil's advocate" these may extend into the wee hours of the night, and branch out into a multitude of subjects. The sessions can be dynamic, exciting and are learning experiences for all involved, and which occassionally have yielded new systems (designed across multiple cocktail napkins) or new business approaches. But there are no guarantees here; they are what they are, and have also led to "off the wall" things like spur of the moment 4 wheel drive safaris across portions of Central America.

When you seek the best, you seek a leader with a career long track record of proven success in every aspect of systems/information/technology design, development, implementation and management.  Dynamic, creative self-starters acclaimed for their analytical capabilities as well as the ability to deliver on-time and at or under budget.  People capable of communicating effectively at and with every level of management, and most importantly, capable of coordinating, motivating, mentoring and leading teams of other talented and creative IT/IS professionals. 

That last item is no small thing, but there is a simple test to see how well your own IS/IT department is managed while in a development phase:

• Does Pizza Hut consistantly make deliveries to your facility late at night?
• Do you literally have to make your development staff go home and take time off?
• Do you have to plan "manditory" outings for your development team and their "significant others" to get your development team physically and mentally away from their project for a few hours?
• Is finishing development projects on-time and under-budget the rule rather than the exception?
• Does your development team come out of each project more excited, knowledgeable and capable than they went in?
• Does your HR department have a drawer full of applications from talented and experienced IS/IT personnel waiting for the next opening and opportunity to join your team?

If this is the type of management individual you seek, I invite you to further explore this site and learn about the extensive experience and professional capabilities I may offer your organization; but if you are expecting the image of a 9 to 5 "suit" that spends the day behind a desk, you are in the wrong place!

Building and guiding the efforts of a true team of talented and creative IS/IT professionals is an interactive, hands on process.  It is about coaxing out and utilizing their strengths and seeking out and mentoring their weaknesses.  It is about instilling pride and taking "ownership" in their system and their/our team.  It is about providing the path and environment for growth of every team member, both personally and professionally.  It is about building the kind of dynamic and innovative team that seeks out the next challenge, the next opportunity to demonstrate their talent, creativity, skill and prowess.  It is about building the kind of team that is the envy of the competition and the pride of the entity itself; because that team is worth its weight in gold on the "bottom line".