And how about the word consultant?
Does it evoke thoughts of that loathsome 'consultant' from the movie Office Space seeking to dismantle your business by indiscriminately hacking away at everything in his path that appears to be an 'expense' item?
You see, I'm all about sustainability and integration of divergent mindsets and opinions. Rather than attempting to 'clean house' or 'start over', there's a better way to improve your business. You need to be able to setup processes and workflows for your business that will enable you to realize a healthier bottom line and once in a while take a much deserved vacation! And that's without having to worry about the sky falling every time you step away from your business.
Data speaks volume to the health of your business. But first, you need to define a vision and a core set of principles for which you want your business/project/endeavor to align itself to. And remaining authentic to your own set of personal values? Absolutely essential. While I'm not suggesting we join hands in front of a campfire singing 'Kumbaya My Lord', I am a strong proponent of vision before strategy followed by precise execution.
I've taken on various technology and data science related roles for various hedge funds and a musical instrument retail giant. At the end of that 12 year run, I then decided to build a fully comprehensive convenience store enterprise management software solution for our family run 40 location convenience store chain pump.eat.drink. Then I became the chain's de facto technologist (hence the 'psuedo' CTO label) and data scientist.
One thing you can be rest assured of -- I'm definitely not trying to sell you my software because it's become too intertwined with the business itself.
With that being said, I can offer solutions that don't involve building systems from the ground up. And with the explosion of retail technology start-ups over the past 10 years, you should know there's a solution that will not only be cost effective but also well integrated into your existing technology stack (even if none exists).
So what exactly will I do?
You let me know that you need help growing your bottom line or just cleaning up finance, operations, sales and/or management. Note that I've ordered those categories in a particular sequence.
We'll then schedule a Skype call so I can get a better understanding of your business.
I'll put together a proposal, timeline, and cost structure of what it will take to achieve the desired objective.
As opposed to other consultants who offer solutions but are so far removed from implementation that you're left with nothing other than a bunch of hopes, wishes, and dreams, I only get paid if you realize your vision.
And if you still hate the word consultant or just don't need any help?
Keep on following this blog and my Twitter feed then also stay tuned for updates on my book which is set to be published later this year.
And if you want to meet me in person rather serendipitously? I'll be making my way many many times* through the trade show hall of the NACS show scheduled for October 17-20 in Chicago.
Otherwise, I'm not opposed to traveling!
The catch? Just make sure you've got a unique problem that you might think a thorough examination of data and technology integration can solve.
Really, I'd love to help you!
This is no joke. And I'm definitely not desperate for business.
It'll be a one to two pager report. And definitely no recycling of that jargon you might glean from industry publications you've been using to patch leaks in your ceiling.
My passion is to seek out unique data and workflow driven problems so that I can help you realize a collaborative solution. Call it a reversal of the age-old 'I can do everything' mentality, I truly believe that two heads definitely work better than one.
Call it superstition, luck, and the promotion of good fortune.
And by the way, this $8 will be heading to the Mr. Holland Opus Foundation.