Expert Details
Leadership Practices, Business Strategy, Strategic Action Planning and Strategic Marketing
ID: 721898
Canada
Expert maintains that there are typically four key elements to the development of a successful business strategy and plan.
1. Vision of Success ... where do we want to be? The Vision of Success is a clearly defined statement(s) of what the company would like to achieve by the end of a given planning period, typically a maximum of three years.
2. Hurdles and Barriers ... what do we have to do to get there? Once the Vision of Success is created and agreed to by the management team, the focus turns to identification of the key hurdles, barriers and problems that presently and potentially stand in the way of the company achieving desired success. This "situation analysis" is a very important element of business strategy development that companies often do not give appropriate focus.
3. Strategic Action Plan ... if we now know where we are going and what stands in the way, what are we going to do to get there? The Strategic Action Plan is a developed set of prioritized, pragmatic actions, each related to a specific hurdle, barrier or problem. Each action must have assigned resources, objectives and expectations, an activity plan, a time frame and a review program.
4. Business Strategy Communication and Implementation ... now we know what we are going to do, how do we ensure understanding, support and commitment to action from all individuals in the company and our outside stakeholders? Effective communication of business strategy and plan is often the key controllable element that dictates the relative success of the business strategy development process. Many excellent business strategies are derailed by poor communication and implementation plans and programs.
Expert provides his personal commitment to help clients develop business strategy that is clear, effective and capable of achieving significant results. He has inherent ability as an executive coach and consultant to draw the best from individuals and teams. As strategic business planning is an ongoing process, Expert is often retained by clients to work with them on a regular basis to help guide, focus and ensure continuity and commitment to the strategic process, and to structure and lead implementation of key strategic actions.
Business leadership and management is a complex issue made up of many important and often competing strategic and operational business elements. Good business leaders and managers are created -- not born. Through his consulting practice, Expert has been very successful in elevating and enhancing the business management skills of client leaders and management teams by helping them to identify, understand and effectively address key strategic management and operational issues facing their company.
He coaches business leaders to get the best out of themselves and others, and he leads and facilitates effective strategic process to develop business vision, positioning and strategy, strategic plans and actions to address business management issues and opportunities, and to achieve enhanced results.
Expert asserts that regardless of a company being small or very large, a well-structured approach to strategic planning is a critical element of success. Larger, more complex organizations often have corporate structure that requires a level of strategic planning at the broader corporate level. This level of planning is designed to provide the overall organization with a sense of strategic direction that will guide operational units.
Corporate strategic planning can often be less than effective if it is not designed and carried out through a fine balance of company vision and direction, strategic issues identification and action planning that properly incorporates operational as well as corporate input and issues.
Expert has considerable experience in working with large complex organizations and has comfort in coaching the most senior of individuals in these organizations. His guidance and coaching on corporate strategic process has helped clients create and implement planning processes and plans that have provided the clear direction and guidance necessary for the compnay to achieve exponential success.
Entrepreneurship is a key element of the success of all companies, both large and small. Expert recognizes that while many people typically think of entrepreneurship in terms of the style and drive of individuals who start up businesses, his experience has shown him that entrepreneurship is really a leadership and management style and attitude that should be a visible, important element present in the largest of successful companies.
Expert helps clients recognize and develop entrepreneurial, innovative and creative style and focus on their leaders, management teams and staff. He helps clients think "out of the box" and provides effective strategy, process and programs to identify and nurture individuals with entrepreneurial abilities and to create a company culture based on innovation and a thirst and spirit for innovation and success.
Expert is keenly aware of the fact that successful strategic positioning and strategic marketing of a company's products and services are clearly key drivers of business success. In today's highly competitive, global marketplace, the marketing function is an ongoing, strategic process of understanding the business environment and needs, interests and drivers of target customers; effective positioning of products and services to serve and satisfy target customers; and ongoing communication, review and analysis with present and potential customers to increase marketplace visibility and presence and to understand and respond to the changing needs and demands of our customers.
Expert says that a useful, pragmatic definition/objective of ‘Marketing’ is "to create an environment that will make it as easy as possible to sell." With this understanding, he brings strategic marketing expertise, extensive corporate marketing management experience and provison of consultative marketing strategy and program services to numerous clients in a wide range of industries. He assists company leaders and marketing teams develop marketing strategy, plans and programs that will effectively position their products and services against market needs and create opportunities for exponential increases in short and longer term sales.
Expert provides clients with guidance and advice on the strategic marketing planning process and facilitates planning sessions. From developed marketing action plans, he is often contracted by clients to address specific strategic actions including, identification of potential strategic partners and development of strategic alliances, establishment of foreign sales agents and agent management programs, client relations strategy and programs, marketing and sales team development and training.
Much of Expert's corporate and consultative experience and expertise has been gained with technical industry product and service companies. Marketing of technical products and services and products requires a different approach from consumer products or "high-tech", IT products and services. While the fundamental marketing principles may be the same, effective technical marketing requires an understanding of the nuances of engineers and other technical people and requires a high level of comfort in dealing with skilled technical people. The marketing challenge is to apply marketing best practices in a style that is appropriate and effective for the culture and mindset of the technical company and the technical marketplace. Expert's experience and expertise marketing in and to a technical world allow him to provide a high level of strategic marketing perspective and skill specific to the needs and issues of technical companies.
Similarly, marketing of professional technical services for companies such as consulting engineering firms, contract R&D and scientific organizations, technical assessment and technical service companies, requires a specialized approach. Expert's extensive experience in the marketing of management consulting services, as well as applied technology and R&D services, allows him to provide a set of consultative skills and services specifically focused on the needs of technically-based professional service businesses.
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Expert assisted a client company to re-position its business and develop key business and product strategies to successfully enter and capture new North American and European markets.He led the design, development, and launch of a new mechanical engineering degree program in engineering design and manufacturing, a partnership of five Ontario universities and industry. Expert is retained on an ongoing basis to provide strategic services and executive mentoring to a number of key client companies. His work includes providing counsel and coaching to company leaders on key business issues, strategies and processes, leading strategic planning and leadership development sessions and conducting consulting projects related to key strategic business issues and opportunities. He guided the new owner and president of an entrepreneurial logistics management company through the development of an effective business positoning strategic vision and plan that has allowed the company to move forward quickly and successfully. Expert designed and led the development of business strategy and commercialization plans for technologies and intellectual property held by one of North America's largest electrical utility corporations.
Education
Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
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Year: 1971 | Degree: B.E.S. (Bachelor of Environmental Studies) | Subject: Urban and Regional Planning | Institution: University of Waterloo |
Work History
Years | Employer | Title | Department |
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Years: 1994 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: President | Department: |
Responsibilities:Expert provides consulting and executive coaching to business leaders and management teams on leadership practices, business strategy, and strategic planning. He is often retained as a keynote speaker and seminar leader on issues related to leadership practices and business strategy for conferences, seminars, and company events. |
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Years | Employer | Title | Department |
Years: 1988 to 1994 | Employer: ORTECH Corporation | Title: Vice President, Corporate Marketing | Department: |
Responsibilities:At ORTECH, he was responsible for the overall marketing and business development functions for a leading contract R&D and applied technology services company with a staff of over 300 engineers, scientists, and technical experts. |
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Years | Employer | Title | Department |
Years: 1984 to 1988 | Employer: W.R. Grace & Company of Canada Ltd. | Title: Manager, Marketing and New Business Development | Department: Construction Products Division |
Responsibilities:Expert developed and directed marketing and new business development programs and a staff of product managers and marketing services individuals. |
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Years | Employer | Title | Department |
Years: 1979 to 1984 | Employer: Genstar Structures Ltd. | Title: Director, Market Planning | Department: |
Responsibilities:He directed the evolution and migration of a traditional engineering and construction products manufacturing company into new business positioning, markets, and business opportunities. |
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Years | Employer | Title | Department |
Years: 1978 to 1980 | Employer: Quasar Systems | Title: Senior Management Consultant | Department: |
Responsibilities:Expert provided consulting client organizations with consulting services in organizational development and strategic planning. |
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Years | Employer | Title | Department |
Years: 1976 to 1978 | Employer: ADGA Group | Title: Director | Department: Management Consulting Division |
Responsibilities:He led the start-up and development of the management consulting division of a consultingengineering practice. |
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Years | Employer | Title | Department |
Years: 1972 to 1976 | Employer: Transport Canada | Title: Management Consultant | Department: |
Responsibilities:Expert conducted consulting assignments for clients in Canadian air transport administration and airport operations. |
Career Accomplishments
Associations / Societies |
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Expert is a member of The Strategic Leadership Forum, the Canadian Association of Management Consultants, the Association of Independent Consultants, the Canadian Professional Sales Association, the Society of Chemical Industry, and the Mississauga Technology Association. |
Professional Appointments |
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Expert is Executive Director, Advanced Design & Manufacturing Institute; Director, Woodstock Hydro Holdings Inc.; and Chairman, Board of Directors, Woodstock InfoEnergy Inc. |
Publications and Patents Summary |
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He has written numerous articles on leadership practices and business strategy and has been the featured speaker at business functions and conferences on over 100 occasions. |
Additional Experience
Training / Seminars |
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Expert has developed and regularly delivers seminars and conference sessions on leadership practices, business strategy, strategic planning process management, marketing of professional services, and consultative selling. |
Vendor Selection |
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He has assisted clients to identify and select candidates for strategic alliances and has helped structure and develop these alliances. He has also assisted client companies to source and develop foreign sales representatives and agents. |
Marketing Experience |
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In both a corporate and consultative role, Expert has extensive experience in planning, marketing and successfully introducing industrial products and technologies, as well as professional services. |
Fields of Expertise
business strategy, strategic planning, business management, business, corporate strategic planning, entrepreneurship, marketing, market positioning, service marketing, strategic market planning, technical marketing, organization strategy, partnership, strategy development, executive coaching, leadership, leadership training, strategic alliance, organizational culture, organizational communication, business strategy review, strategic technology planning, strategic action planning, creative strategic marketing, strategic marketing, leadership development, organizational assessment, organizational design, strategic management, business development, globalization, small business, business operations, promotion, behavioral science, marketing communications, market potential, team building, international marketing, technology evaluation, market research