Craig Harrison Email & Phone Number

Minneapolis, Mn, Us

London, Gb

The Grow Movement is doing good through business. We use the business consultancy skills of our global volunteer team to empower African entrepreneurs. This creates jobs, increases profitability and develops the skills of Africans who can make a real difference to the continent. Since 2009, over 550 jobs have been created through this programme.My role is to connect with the consultants in the Americas, to build community engagement and offer additional support to our in-country managers in Rwanda, Uganda and Malawi.

London, Gb

Making the world a better place, one business at a time! I volunteered as a consultant with the Grow Movement. Grow is a not-for-profit organization which contributes to global poverty relief through economic development and job creation by providing pro bono consulting to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in Africa.For a recent project, I worked with a up-and-coming fashion designer to create an overall business strategy infused with the uniqueness of Africa. We put together a comprehensive marketing plan which included the development of an international expansion strategy, the creation of an innovation roadmap and the design of a market analysis methodology.For another project, I assisted an entrepreneur in the development of a market research program that could be carried out and analyzed without the use of a computer. One innovative but simple idea was to gain quantitative feedback from customers through having them respond to a survey question by putting a stone into either a 'Yes’ or ‘No’ labeled jar. (You need to think differently about surveys when you can’t use Excel!) The experience and results helped the client to refine her new business strategy.

Business, technology and operations consulting.I bring my strategic and operational improvement skills to clients through my own consulting business, and among the projects that I have undertaken have been technology engagements and market research work.During one engagement, my task was to analyze key international markets to assist the Senior Management Team of a leading commercial research provider during their strategic planning round. When it became clear that the client required an improved process for determining their international strategy, I developed a framework for evaluating market attractiveness. I presented this during the Senior Management Team’s planning workshop; my presentation led to robust discussion and I led the subsequent interactive session which resulted in the development of a new process for identifying international market opportunities.

Arotahi (fka tranzsend) is a not-for-profit organization that assists with educational, humanitarian and business initiatives for the benefit of underprivileged communities in Asia. Involvement in the social sector is not only an opportunity for me to contribute to a worthy cause, it also provides great experience in learning legislative leadership skills in an environment where progress relies as much on emotion and persuasion as it does on logic and decree.A funding crisis in 2009 caused the governing council to do some soul-searching regarding the purpose and direction of the organization. I developed a strategic vision and plan for a radical restructuring, and presented this at a Council retreat. My ideas contributed to a clarification of core principles and a re-engineering of the organizational structure. These strategies remain in place today and have allowed tranzsend to reconnect with its key constituency and become more responsive and relevant to its social environment.

Technology strategy, oversight of IT & Business Systems and project management.Dove Radio Communications’ (today aka Tait Mobile Waikato) stated aim is to be the head, not the tail, within the event communications and radio telephone (RT) industry. Since my involvement began, Dove Radio Communications has:• competed for and gained 100% of the market share of a multi-national competitor; • achieved a 5-fold increase in revenue; • increased staff levels by a factor of 10.The foundation for this growth (which is still continuing) was established by adopting a leading-edge approach to the use of Information Technology; the ‘merging of RT with IT.’ I created a long-term strategy for business development, using technology as an enabler. This big picture plan provided the framework for my business process improvement work (the development of ‘smart business systems,’) which included:• IT systems;• project management of application development projects;• website creation;• logo redesign;• marketing materials.

Auckland, Nz

Office & IT management, business process improvement, client services and project delivery.I was employed by Blueriver to manage the company's IT systems and improve their business processes. In line with the company’s strategic direction, I designed and installed a new client-server architecture which integrated their Mac and PC workstations with a Linux server and firewall. This allowed remote access to enable their satellite office strategy. There were few formal processes in place when I arrived at Blueriver. I established, documented and improved the company's business processes. Some years later, my efforts saved the day after a server failure was (relatively!) easily dealt with because the backup procedures I had established were still being followed.Project delivery and client service were also part of my brief, which meant that I provided the link between clients and technical staff. In addition, I managed the five design staff and was involved in business development activities.

Database design, hardware assembly and football coaching.I established an IT consulting business and was involved in:• assembling computers to client specification;• installing network cable and access points;• building electronic hardware;• undertaking database design, specification and data migration.The flexibility afforded by being an independent consultant meant that I could also make time to coach junior soccer in an after-school program.

Hamilton, Waikato, Nz

Research, new product design and development of electronic equipment, from concept through manufacturing to post-sales support.I began my career with a passion for designing better products. During my time with Gallaghers, I led a product development team comprising research and development (R&D,) marketing, sales, manufacturing and tool design representatives, and was responsible for the full development lifecycle including the creation of a costing model, product design, quality assurance, prototyping, testing, design of manufacturing processes and post-production support. By introducing failure mode and effects analysis to the company, I developed one of the firm’s most reliable products and enhanced service levels further by creating the company’s first comprehensive set of product documentation.Realizing that business success depends on more than just good products, I involved myself more broadly in company activities: I initiated and produced a monthly company news bulletin to increase staff connectedness and morale; and led a cross-functional team in the development of email protocols when the IT department first introduced email. My broad contribution was recognized by Gallaghers who invited me to attend strategic planning retreats and nominated me for the local Rotary Club’s Vocational Excellence Award.

Executive Mba, Management

Bachelor Of Applied Theology, Theology & Biblical Studies

Doctor Of Philosophy, Physics

Master Of Science (Technology), Physics & Electronics

Bachelor Of Science, Physics & Mathematics