A Comprehensive View of
Garry J. Smith
Excerpts from a
Selection Criteria
Criterion 1 - Shapes Strategic
Thinking
Relevant Capabilities:
Inspire a Sense of Purpose and Direction
A fundamental aspect of my duties as the
Director of IT for IDP Education Australia was to provide board members,
executives and staff my Personal and professional Information Technology
perspectives to accomplish an effective migration to a comprehensive and
rational use of technology to achieve quality e-business solutions.
In 1997 IDP was utilising technology for basic
office functionality. There was, at
that time, more than 40 offices in 25 countries, each office independently
managed and maintained, particularly in relation to all aspects of information
technology.
One of the first initiatives that I implemented
within the organisation was the standardisation of all technology globally.
This required considerable negotiation and liaison at executive level to
achieve the acceptance by all executives of a single software and hardware
platform. Implementing this
strategy ensured the ability to effectively share information across all aspects
of the company and in year one created saving of hundreds of thousands of
dollars in telephony cost by utilising one e-mail system on a global basis.
Over the course of the 4 years that I was with
IDP I developed a comprehensive understanding of the diversity and complexity of
the services and facilities that the company provided on a global basis.
As this knowledge matured I was instrumental in
developing and setting the purpose and direction of the company’s e-business
strategies by providing the driving force to achieve, through technology, a
considerable number of objectives and goals set by the Senior Executive and the
board.
Through my vision, expertise and ability to
impart knowledge and innovation, both in writing and orally, I was able to
ensure the rapid adaptation of many existing functions of the company to an
e-business environment.
Additionally, by effectively communicating the broader potentials of technology
to executives and staff throughout the world, many e-business innovations were
accepted and implemented under my directorship.
Strategic Focus
An integral part of my career over the last 20
years has highlighted the absolute need for the dynamic comprehension and
understanding of the broader strategic issues related to the organisations I
serve.
I am acutely aware of the potential implications
that the ever-changing environment can have on corporate goals and objectives.
By maintaining a broad focus, both internally and externally, any issues
that may affect current or planned strategies can be rapidly addressed and
resolved.
My background in managing information technology
environments has instilled in me the need to constantly monitor and plan for
future trends and to forecast which of those trends can be effectively utilised
to the benefit of the organisation I am serving.
Ability to Recognise Opportunities, Harness Information
To seek
and acquire knowledge with an open mind in relation to new information and
accept various perspectives are elementary to the methodologies that are
instilled in my business and Personal ethics.
To ensure that best practices are always
utilised in all facets of the services I provide it is essential to maintain a
comprehensive understanding of the best practices being utilised in public and
private sectors throughout the world.
Appropriate market research, awareness of
cross-cultural diversity and detailed environmental studies are critical to the
ability to effectively harness information and opportunities.
By obtaining a balance of this information against commitments, needs and
objectives we can achieve successful management of information to the advantage
of our organisation.
By the nature of my background and working
experience it has proven beneficial for me to constantly maintain a high level
of commitment in staying abreast of issues within my environment, hardware and
software technical developments and the impact of globalisation. I have also
developed a comprehensive understanding of the impact of change on staff and
environments and have frequently dealt with the vagaries and issues
successfully.
Shows Judgement, Intelligence and Common
Sense.
My ability to grasp complex issues
and to rapidly distil them into manageable modules is very strong.
I am able to identify details, which may not be readily noticeable to
others, and have historically been outstanding in my capacity to effectively
deal with the issues.
My broad information technology
and executive level experience empowers me with a comprehensive capability to
analyse and critically evaluate information and problems.
Consideration of all aspects objectively and dispassionately is
essential before making a final judgement however, I am aware of the need to
be prompt and decisive to ensure effective management and a quality of staff
moral.
With many years of complex
analysis and problem solving across a broad spectrum of issues as a working
foundation, I have engendered considerable trust and faith in my rational,
innovativeness, quality and flexibility in relation to this criteria.
Criterion 2 - Achieves Results
Relevant Capabilities:
Organisational Capability
I pride myself on my ability to
achieve results through my successful management of resources.
Human and technical resource
management have been a fundamental skill requirement for me throughout my
career. Without the appropriate
resources being assigned quality results can rarely be achieved.
However, I am fully aware that
organisational structures, financial limitations, resource availability and
other constraints must always be considered. To this end I apply flexibility in
assignments of appropriately skilled people to suitable tasks to ensure results
are achievable.
The requirement to forecast and plan effectively to accomplish results has been
essential to almost every aspect of my career. The early identification of stakeholder requirements
and ability to forecast and cost resources in a dynamic environment has been a
normal practice for me in servicing the needs of organisations that have
employed me.
Professional Expertise
The utilisation of specialist,
consultants and technical expertise is a function that has been a normal
requirement for many projects that I have undertaken.
My experience has highlighted that when there is a need for expertise beyond my,
or my staff’s capabilities then advice or services of other professionals must
be sort and utilised to ensure projects, objectives and strategies maintain
their flow.
Identifying these requirements
within technical environments, on a global basis has been an integral part of
the services I have provided over many years.
What is important is to identify the
appropriate skills needed and know when to utilise the specialist most cost
effectively. With my comprehensive
understanding and broad interactions within the industry of information
technology I have been able to excel in this area.
Implements Change
Change management is an underlying requirement
of all projects that I have been involved in.
To achieve a smooth implementation of change I have developed a
systematic and explicitly informed methodology to eliminate as much uncertainty
as possible for those personnel that are to be affected.
By clearly defining the objectives, timeframes,
impacts on staff or resources and ensuring that communication channels for all
stakeholder are in place I have been very successful in change control for
projects, with various timeframes, ranging from small interoffice system
upgrades to changes affecting many offices throughout the world containing
hundreds of staff.
For the
more complex project I utilise existing software technology to effectively
assist in the planning, coordination and implementation phases.
This assist me in the division of the project into manageable modules and
enables change impact to be less intrusive in many cases.
Ability to Clarify Ambiguities
The nature of my career within the Information Technology
industry has instilled in me a comprehensive understanding of a need to be able
to clearly define subjects and items of issue in both written and verbal
communications.
My depth of experience in this industry has ensured that I
comprehend the audience and deliver according to the needs of that audience.
I have developed a very strong capability of eliminating ambiguities and
have excelled in the clarity of the information and services that I provide.
Closure and Delivery
Through effective management of the
resources available to me I have endeavoured to engender an ethos within myself,
and my staff, of successful completion of all tasks and objectives set for us.
Utilising established accountability measures and achieving the goals and
deadlines repeatedly instils a pride in successes and thereby ensures enthusiasm
for current and future projects.
Effective review processes and
constant management of all aspects of any project are fundamental facets of all
projects that I have undertaken.
With comprehensive management and the review processes it is possible to
maintain focus and commitment to a project.
Criterion 3 - Exemplifies
Personal Drive and Integrity
Relevant Capabilities:
Professionalism and Probity
I have always strived to maintain
the upmost in my Personal drive and integrity and have encouraged all those
associated with me to endeavour to do the same.
Historically I have achieved
recognition and commendations for my professionalism, loyalty and allegiance
to the organisation I serve and in many cases have forfeited Personal
commitments and views to ensure the delivery of expectation and requirements
of the duties I am employed to complete.
My ability to maintain a united
leadership perspective and divorce my Personal motivations and ambitions from
that perspective has also been commended on many occasions.
Throughout my career I have
actively practiced and advocated the essentials of strong ethical and
professional behaviour in all avenues of the working and Personal environment.
My commitment to this criterion is
without question and my proven history of compliance to all aspects of
professionalism in duties and Personal life attest to this.
Risk-taking and Personal Courage
Within the industry of Information technology it
is a natural aspect of daily functions to engage in various levels of risk
assessment and management.
Through many years of experience I have developed a quality and breadth of
skills to enable me to negotiate, liaise, commit and implement tough corporate
decisions.
With the maturity, professionalism and strengths
of character I possess I have occasionally challenged ideas of others when I
believed that they might not be within the objectives of the organisation.
I have also experienced challenges on my ideas and commitments.
Through quality negotiation and liaison these challenges are always
resolved to the satisfaction of all stakeholder.
I have no hesitation in accepting responsibility
for all decisions that I make. By
maintaining a professional, impartial but informed approach to decision making I
accept that these decision are the best of my capabilities at the time.
However, I also accept that if the decisions I have made are in
retrospect faulty then I must be prepared to re-evaluate and reassess the
situation without prejudice.
I have learned that swiftly accepting a mistake has been made and
focusing on a resolution is the most appropriate business practice to moving
forward.
My commitment to staff and organisation imbue me
with a responsibility to defend and respond favourable to criticism.
Servicing needs within the IT industry has endowed me with a great deal
of experience in arbitration and resolution of all forms of criticism in
relation to personnel and resources.
I believe that I understand and recognise my own
limitations and have no uncertainty in seeking help, clarification or input to
ensure that I deliver the most appropriate advice, guidance or decisions to meet
the needs and expectations.
Action Orientation
I have developed a strong history
in my motivation and commitment to action on behalf of the organisation.
I have achieved success in this area by Personally monitoring,
investing energy and initiatives to proactively shape events and achieve
results.
In many cases I have encountered
barriers and perceptions of objectives that appear to be unachievable but
through diverse lateral analysis, innovation and alternative processes I have
been able to provide guidance or solutions to surmount the majority of these
and continue the forward motion of the project.
By demonstrating Personal
commitment to objectives I consistently create a team focus and allegiance to
the same objectives and thereby achieve the task with the minimum of fuss.
Resilience
In all aspects of my career the
ability to remain focused in all circumstance has been imperative to the
successes that I have achieved.
Dealing with complex organisation with global characteristic has
dictated a high level of effort, enthusiasm and optimism despite various
setbacks and constraints.
I have frequently demonstrated my
resilience and patience with projects of extensive periods of time.
The success of these projects has been achieved through consistency of
behaviour and maintaining control even during crisis periods and events.
I Personally enjoy the challenge
of resolving issues and apply tenacity to the tasks with professionalism and
effectiveness.
Self Awareness
I am always conscious
of
the environments that I am working and negotiating
within and I am very much aware of the impact and importance of my
Personal status, presentation and presence.
Throughout my career I have prided myself on a commitment to ensuring that I
effectively represent myself and my organisation with the utmost professionalism
and quality of presentation.
You will notice throughout my resume my Personal pride in my achievements on
behalf of the organisations that I have represented and my desire to demonstrate
these achievments effectively and with some innovation.
This professional commitment is also represented within my Personal web
site:
http://www.gjsmith.com
Commitment to Personal Development
The need for continuing Personal development is
essential to enable me to consistently deliver the best of my abilities to all
aspects of my performance.
I place a great deal of emphasis on these needs and seek every opportunity to
expand on my knowledge for Personal benefit and the potential improvements of
the services I provide at a professional level to the organisations and clients
that I serve.
I have always maintained an open and frank
interface between myself, my peers, subordinates, management and customers and
if I am lacking in any attributes necessary to effectively meet my commitments
or expectation I will address and rectify, wherever possible, those
characteristics immediately.
Criterion 4 - Cultivates
Productive Working Relationships
Relevant Capabilities:
Nurtures Internal and External
Relationships
The building and maintenance of
relationships throughout the industry, with peers, stakeholders, executives,
Ministerial appointments and key people both internally and externally is a
crucial requirement. Therefore, I
endeavour at all time to maintain and expand my network through proactively
participate for the mutual benefit of all.
Because of my commitments to a
responsive and efficient client service focus in every aspect of my career I
have achieved considerable respect and professional standing from those that I
service and those that provide services to me and my organisation.
Facilitates Co-operation and Partnerships
The development and maintenance of
a team spirit within the work environment is important to me.
I have always applied considerable effort and focus on the need to
commit and work together as a team to achieve mutual goals and objectives.
One of my strongest attributes is my willingness to consult, listen and guide
people and through this quality I have maintained a strong role model for the
mentoring of staff.
I strive at all times to engender
an environment of cooperation and actively encourage exchange of views across
teams and groups.
Through these attributes I have
been fortunate to have consistently achieve a staunch loyalty from all those
that have worked for me.
Values Differences and Diversity
Throughout my career as a
serviceman, public servant and management within private industry I have
recognised the need to support and respect the individuality of others.
I have frequently been commended on the values and strengths I espouse in
this criterion.
By understanding the complexities of Personalities, motivations and diversity of
people I have been able balance their experience and skills to productively
maximise their contribution to the organisation.
Guide, Mentor and Develop People
An important aspect of good management
methodologies is that all staff be given the appropriate guidance, skills and
training needed to meet the tasks and objectives expected of them. I am a strong advocate of this principle and ensure
that I provide a quality of support and encouragement for all facets within the
environment under my responsibility.
Through my Personal efforts to continually
inspire ongoing learning and actively encourage a need for staff to apply a
constant career development strategy I have been successful in the motivation
and expansion of capabilities of all staff that have been under my care.
My human resource management skills can be
assessed as outstanding. Through
comprehensive training and 30 years of experience in military, public service
and private sector environments I have achieved a high standard in quality
resource management and I have consistently excelled in all aspects
Criterion 5 - Communicates
with Influence
Relevant Capabilities:
Communicates Clearly
For many years I have been
required to communicate effectively both in writing and verbally.
Particularly within the industry I have serviced for more than 20 years
I have been required to develop and deliver in various medias and arenas.
During this period I have created
hundreds of papers, delivered presentations at seminars, developed and carried
out training syllabuses and technical papers across a broad spectrum of
audiences from Government Ministers, board members, executives through to
staff induction sessions.
In all of the areas above I have
achieved great success and praise in relation to my professionalism in
presentation and clarity of subject matter.
Listens, Understands and Adapts to Different Audiences
Without a comprehensive understanding of the
importance of listening and adapting to audiences I could not achieved the
successes that I have in this criterion.
I have always endeavoured to rapidly comprehend
the needs, tenure and nature of the audience that I am presenting to and then
focusing my documents or presentation at that level. Even though I excel in this criterion I continue to mature
this skill as I meet various environments and Personalities.
My strengths in this area are outstanding and
can be validated through many avenues.
Negotiates Persuasively
Persuasive negotiation skills have
been my forte throughout most of my career.
I have maintained a high level of credibility in this area by researching
and obtaining comprehensive subject knowledge and understanding the
Personalities or organisational ethos involved before entering into the
negotiations.
The perspectives I apply are focused
to ensure that objectives are met through common ideas and commitments. In many
cases the negotiations entails skilfully applied compromise to ensure outcomes
can be achieved.
I have encountered several instances
where negotiation to a successful conclusion has not been available despite
efforts by all stakeholders to achieve resolution. In these cases, if I believe that alternative propositions,
with further analysis, will assist in a compromised resolution then I will
expend the required effort to endeavour to reach a meaningful conclusion.
My maturity and experience in the negotiation environment has instilled a
capability to identify when I have not succeeded in conveying my argument
successfully and the expertise to know when to withdraw gracefully.
