Alan Baker Email & Phone Number

Toronto, On, Ca

Toronto, Canada Area

Currently on sabbatical.Since 2014, I have been extensively involved in leveraging my expertise to pioneer a boutique consulting firm dedicated to offering my clients an intelligent, pragmatic, cost effective approach to change management. In this role, I help stakeholders define their strategies, identify requirements and take advantage of new opportunities while investigating ways to optimize existing processes and reduce costs. Skills: Strategic Planning » Business and… Show more Currently on sabbatical.Since 2014, I have been extensively involved in leveraging my expertise to pioneer a boutique consulting firm dedicated to offering my clients an intelligent, pragmatic, cost effective approach to change management. In this role, I help stakeholders define their strategies, identify requirements and take advantage of new opportunities while investigating ways to optimize existing processes and reduce costs. Skills: Strategic Planning » Business and Technology Consulting » Change Management » Project Management » Business Process Optimization » Coaching & Mentoring » Customer Relationship Management Show less

Toronto, Canada Area

Projects included:Development of web portal for insurance agentsImplementation of a new business and underwriting systemImplementation of an intrusion detection and prevention systemAssistance with strategic and annual operational planning exercise

Toronto, Canada Area

Toronto, Canada Area

In this high level leadership role, I ensured that business needs were fully understood and addressed and that appropriate technology was properly deployed in support of business needs. Applying my astute project management and team leadership capabilities, I provided oversight to both project implementations and to the strategic planning process. My role involved analyzing and assessing technological needs of the organization to implement a forward-thinking approach while ensuring that third… Show more In this high level leadership role, I ensured that business needs were fully understood and addressed and that appropriate technology was properly deployed in support of business needs. Applying my astute project management and team leadership capabilities, I provided oversight to both project implementations and to the strategic planning process. My role involved analyzing and assessing technological needs of the organization to implement a forward-thinking approach while ensuring that third parties and vendors are effectively managed. My most valued achievements entail those that reflect high quality, creativity and innovation. I was accountable for replacing Siebel CRM application and Oracle database with Microsoft Dynamics CRM and SQL Server, which resulted in a 40% reduction in total cost of ownership and the deployment of a much more complete solution. I lead the team that created 'MyForesters,' a personalized member-facing SharePoint web portal tightly integrated with Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Further, the redevelopment of Foresters Producer Portal, including development of the mobile site and creation and integration of a supporting operational data store focused on enhancing sales reporting capabilities which, in turn, improved team performance and client satisfaction.Products: Life Insurance » Microsoft Dynamics CRM » Web Portal (Sharepoint) » Brand Management » Sales Reporting Skills: Business and Technology Consulting » Consensus Building » Business Requirement Definition » Technology Solutions » Business Analysis » Strategic Planning » Project Management » Project Implementation » Reengineering Show less

Toronto, Canada Area

As Assistant Vice President, I was accountable for the development and implementation of Foresters enterprise architecture framework and technology security, ensuring the execution of current and future business requirements and needs. I supervised five direct reports and oversaw a large budget.My ability to dynamically lead a team was demonstrated in the transition requirements of the Application Maintenance and Application Development Outsourcing Project, which involved the transition… Show more As Assistant Vice President, I was accountable for the development and implementation of Foresters enterprise architecture framework and technology security, ensuring the execution of current and future business requirements and needs. I supervised five direct reports and oversaw a large budget.My ability to dynamically lead a team was demonstrated in the transition requirements of the Application Maintenance and Application Development Outsourcing Project, which involved the transition of over 100 staff and their responsibilities to a third-party provider. Additionally, I directed the design of the initial technology architecture for the Foresters Invests in Transformation (FIT) Program, a mission-critical program designed to dramatically reduce acquisition and maintenance costs while modernizing Foresters technology. Under this program, I effectively evaluated and selected strategic technology assets, including FileNexus document imaging solution, MicroStrategy business intelligence software and Teradata data warehouse appliance.Products: Application Maintenance and Application Development Outsourcing Project » Enterprise Architecture » Document Management and Imaging » Business Intelligence » Date Warehouse InfrastructureSkills: Leadership » Business Solutions » Enterprise Architecture » Information Technology Security » Program Implementation » Program Management » Risk Management » Budgeting & Financial Management & Financial Management» Business Requirements Analysis » Strategic Planning Show less

Toronto, Canada Area

This challenging leadership role allowed me to utilize my team leadership and organizational abilities to supervise a team of 110 employees while overseeing an extensive budget and application portfolio. Integrating my solid business acumen and technological expertise, I developed and implemented innovative technology-based solutions that satisfied the organizations current and future business requirements. I was also responsible for the strategic alignment of technology plans with business… Show more This challenging leadership role allowed me to utilize my team leadership and organizational abilities to supervise a team of 110 employees while overseeing an extensive budget and application portfolio. Integrating my solid business acumen and technological expertise, I developed and implemented innovative technology-based solutions that satisfied the organizations current and future business requirements. I was also responsible for the strategic alignment of technology plans with business objectives as well as provision of operational support for information technology systems, applications and services. My deep expertise in technology allowed me to effectively provide Foresters business community with sound advice and professional guidance on all matters related to information technology.As Director of Business Solutions, I led a program consisting of a series of seventeen projects designed to modernize and upgrade insurance policy administration capabilities. Overseeing a significant budget, I also implemented expanded insurance product processing capability, image and workflow technology as well as the adoption of ACORD Standards. Focusing on agent compensation and licensing compliance, as well as policy administration, web portal and reporting, I oversaw development initiatives to support change toward employing an agency based approach. My ability to produce cost savings and improved performance successfully consolidated the development staff into a single department, resulting in reduced resourcing costs and improved performance by 12%.Products: ACORD Standards » Insurance Policy Administration » New Business and Underwriting » Agent Contracting and Commissioning Skills: Leadership » Team Building » Technology Solutions » Strategic Planning & Implementation » Budgeting & Financial Management » Organizational Restructuring » Operational Support » Change Management Show less

Toronto, Canada Area

This particular role allowed me to create an elaborate Information Technology enterprise architecture that met current operational requirements and future strategic needs. I developed Foresters' first comprehensive Technology Strategy Plan and Information Technology Principles. Devising this strategy enhanced organizational effectiveness, expense management and revenue growth, while expanding business capabilities and reducing overall unit costs associated with insurance operations… Show more This particular role allowed me to create an elaborate Information Technology enterprise architecture that met current operational requirements and future strategic needs. I developed Foresters' first comprehensive Technology Strategy Plan and Information Technology Principles. Devising this strategy enhanced organizational effectiveness, expense management and revenue growth, while expanding business capabilities and reducing overall unit costs associated with insurance operations. Another one of my significant achievements was leading the definition of the cross-functional tower requirements as part of the Technology Infrastructure Outsourcing Assessment and Transition Project that delivered a significant reduction in technology costs. As a key contributor, I developed the Foresters future state business system architecture for policy management and administration.Products: Enterprise Architecture » Technology Strategy Plan » Information Technology Principles » Technology Infrastructure Outsourcing Assessment and Transition Skills: Leadership » Information Technology Strategy » Technology Outsourcing » Expense Management » Change Management Show less

Toronto, Canada Area

This role was vital in honing my project management skills while introducing the practice of Customer Relationship Management. On this initiative I led an average of ten staff with a maximum of forty direct reports while overseeing a significant budget. I managed the deployment of a ground-breaking CRM Solution and established a Customer Information File, maximizing insurance administration capabilities, opening up information sharing across the entire organization and improving the… Show more This role was vital in honing my project management skills while introducing the practice of Customer Relationship Management. On this initiative I led an average of ten staff with a maximum of forty direct reports while overseeing a significant budget. I managed the deployment of a ground-breaking CRM Solution and established a Customer Information File, maximizing insurance administration capabilities, opening up information sharing across the entire organization and improving the end-user experience. Through careful assessment and critical analysis, I evaluated and selected an integration partner and developed business requirements in support of the strategic CRM deployment. I was able to select, develop, and deploy a Siebel 99.5 based solution to field agents, call centre representatives, and administrative staff. This implementation included Siebel Call Centre and Siebel Field Sales modules as well as Financial and Insurance Industry modules which were integrated with six existing back office systems including policy administration systems, marketing systems, and corporate systems. Effective strategic planning and decision making skills allowed me to select the appropriate CRM product, Siebel 99.5, and transition it into the operational environment.I won several awards for CRM, which at the time represented the largest CRM implementation in Canada and significant technological innovation.Products: ACORD Standards » Insurance Policy Administration » New Business and Underwriting » Agent Contracting and Commissioning Skills: Technology Solutions » Strategic Planning & Implementation » Budgeting & Financial Management » Operational Support » Change Management Show less

Toronto