Resume of Kenneth J. Thompson

• Experienced participant in software implementation project teams with extensive training and practice in both technology and business
• Combines "hard" skills (knowledge of technologies and business principles) with "soft" skills (ability to relate to individuals and groups of various backgrounds and training)
• Seeking a business analyst position in which I can leverage my understanding of human and technological factors in business, and appreciation for strategic fit

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• Research and analytical skills — able to gather, evaluate and synthesize information from diverse sources using a variety of techniques and tools
• Organization — skilled at organizing information to improve access and utilization; e.g., logical structure, categorization, prioritization
• Public speaking and presentation — able to create and deliver creative and persuasive presentations with energy and confidence
• Technical ability — acquires new technologies quickly; proficient in a variety of web, software development and testing technologies
• Written communication — demonstrates effective writing skills in a variety of contexts and styles including websites, academic papers, business and marketing documents, instructional curricula, and technical manuals
• Collaboration — collaborates effectively in team settings in business or academic settings; takes responsibility for team’s performance and is comfortable taking a leadership role
• Knowledge acquisition — a proven lifelong learner, enthusiastically and effectively acquires new knowledge and skills that are relevant to new tasks, challenges or environments
• Interpersonal skills — relates well to co-workers and colleagues; communicates effectively on-on-one, and exercises tact and diplomacy
• Conceptualization — effectively communicates complex information and ideas using both verbal and visual tools and techniques (analogies, diagrams, illustrations)
• Problem solving — broad exposure to business problems; effectively analyses problems and devises creative and workable solutions
• Cross-cultural facility — culturally informed and sensitive; has extensive experience working with cross-cultural teams

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Project Definition and Facilitation

• Performed planning, scheduling, resource allocation, and tracking for projects in MS Project
• Created project documents, including project plan, MS Project schedule, technology review, work breakdown structure, risk management plan
• Set up online planning, tracking, source control and issue-management systems for technology projects
• Developed requirements sets and wrote use cases or user stories
• Participated in projects employing traditional as well as agile methodologies, through full project cycle

Document Preparation

• Designed and wrote product documentation, Technology Review, Detailed Design, and Operations & Maintenance documentation for software development efforts
• Drafted and designed project bid proposals, venture capital proposals, and Statements of Qualifications

System Implementation and Change Management

• Wrote comprehensive Acceptance Testing plans for software systems, including rationale for testing regime, detailed test scripts, client requirements satisfied by each test; wrote automated unit tests for software regression testing; performed extensive testing for a variety of web and desktop systems
• Trained client staff in technical processes and use of software tools; produced clear, comprehensive step-by-step training materials (online and hard-copy)

Research and Data Synthesis

• Researched, analyzed and communicated marketing information on competitor operations within methanol industry (including major markets, facilities, production, sales, cost structures, logistics, and financing)
• Researched, critiqued, and summarized technologies and techniques for software development projects
• Provided detailed firm and industry analysis for business and marketing plans

Business and Marketing Planning

• Wrote comprehensive marketing plan frameworks for company and specific products, and collaborated on business plan and marketing plan writing

Instruction and Training

• Performed client training as above
• Taught a course in entrepreneurship and business planning to international students with advanced English ability; developed the course curriculum and evaluation materials
• Instructed international students of various ages and language proficiency levels in English as a Second Language; developed curricula for instruction
• Enabled non-native-English speaking students to compete and excel in scholastic settings by providing essential learning, study and writing techniques as well as subject-specific instruction

Management

• Designed and implemented procedures and policies for a start-up private ESL school which accommodated student body growth from eight to 100 students, and growth of staff from five to twelve members; designed staff hiring practices; performed staff hiring, supervision, and dismissal
• As retail manager, consistently attained store sales targets, once achieved top weekly store sales in Canada for chain despite small store size; motivated, supervised, hired, trained, and scheduled staff; oversaw store-level administration activities

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Industries

Has worked for clients or been employed directly in the following industries:
• Software development
• Web design and development
• Intelligent transportation systems (ITS)
• Traffic and transit management
• Petrochemicals
• Urban forestry
• Private post-secondary education
• Retail

Roles

Has held the following positions:

• Business and Technical Consultant — Principal, Elemental Consulting Services, Vancouver, BC (2002-Present)
• Business Instructor — iTTTi Vancouver, Vancouver, BC (2008)
• Intern — Researcher/Analyst — Methanex Corporation, Vancouver, BC (2001)
• English as a Second Language Instructor — Heritage School of English, Vancouver, BC (1998 — 2000)
• Executive Director — Robson College, Vancouver, BC (1996 — 1998)
• Manager (started as Sales Associate) — Northern Elements Stores, Toronto, ON (1991-1995)

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Ongoing: Part-Time Studies in Technology and Management

British Columbia Institute of Technology, Burnaby, BC; courses so far include IT project management, object-oriented development, Java, JavaScript, XML, and C#.NET

2002: Master of Business Administration

University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; included 4-month exchange program with Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea

1996: Bachelor of Art — Honours Major/Minor (History/English)

York University, Toronto, ON

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MBA Program

• Methanex Scholarship for academic achievement
• Scholarship for Study-Abroad Exchange program in Korea

Undergraduate Study

• Classical Association of Canada Award for year’s best undergraduate paper in Canada in the field of Classical Studies (1995-1996)
• Desmond Hart Memorial Award for best undergraduate history paper at York University (1995-1996)
• Dean’s List

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• Married; two children (born 2003, 2007)
• Reading; technology (especially web design and development); computer illustration
• Volunteer Coach, Richmond Boys’ Fastball Association
• Volunteer Coach, Richmond Youth Soccer Association
• Volunteer Webmaster: designed, developed and maintain website for local preschool (http://www.sscpreschool.com)

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