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management

I’m a bit surprised that this is just beginning to be a trend… but nevertheless…

A recent survey of business leaders, conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit and commissioned by Accenture, revealed what those IT and business leaders are discussing in their closed-door budget meetings. The results hint at one thing when it comes to IT: strategy.

via BlueLock - IT to go “strategic” in 2010.

In fact, when discussing technology and the role of IT in an organization, strategic partnerships with the other functional areas should be a primary goal, as technology can directly influence behavior in the organization and more importantly revenue streams.

For example, technical oversight via systems processes can ensure proper and legal behaviors of the staff, integration between business models can influence collaboration and timeliness, and an IS&T strategy can ensure that the functional roles and tactical behaviors of employees are focused on clear value added jobs and responsibilities.

IS&T can also affect customer behavior and employee attitudes towards customers when they have a clear view into each interaction between the firm and those respective customers through proper CRM implementation and how the customer has responded through business intelligence and analytics.

Proper implementation and strategy of information technology and systems is one of the primary strategic goals that any global Fortune 100/500  firm can implement in order to ensure sustained competitive advantage, even if they are focused in other areas for profit.

One reason why this may not have been a trend until recently, is I that it can be incredibly difficult to identify the causal relationship of IT to behavior in an organization and most if not all will be anecdotal. That can cause problems for many ‘quants’ out there.

I would guess — while I believe these systems can and do impact tangible returns like an increase in revenue and a decrease in expenses — there is really no way that you can eliminate (at least in a real business climate) the variables that affect behavior.  But with enough anecdotal evidence, you can piece together a proper idea of the effects of information technology on said business climate.

If we look at a case in which an industry that is primarily driven by other means, such as the Banking sector, one can’t imagine an environment where technology wasn’t a strategic asset. Banks certainly can’t focus on their trading and asset management without a proper IT strategy, and it needs to go to the heart of the organization so that it influences individual behaviors and roles. Otherwise, focusing on any other opportunity or strength is in vain, and the firm is destined to fail regardless. This can be related to any number of industries including the energy sector.

And when they fail at IS&T it can be disastrous for the firm, and should be noted when determining any future strategy.

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Experience

by Erik on December 13, 2009

in Uncategorized

The Lehigh University Business Information Systems program builds a strong foundation in cross-functional business processes and the application of information systems to support them.

The use of technology to improve business performance and effectively support strategic business plans is a major focus of the program, and my core background and university level coursework includes competency and advanced experience in each of the following areas:

Strategic Management

  • Advanced concepts and practices from the core business curriculum at Lehigh University utilizing an organization-wide strategic perspective and examination of the relationship among firm strategy, structure and environment.
  • The coursework emphasized strategic analysis strategy formulation, and strategy implementation so as to achieve sustainable competitive advantage.
  • Traditional and non-traditional methodologies/theories including topics involving SWOT analysis, Porter’s Five Forces Model, Peter Drucker, Joseph Schumpeter, and Clayton Christensen.
  • Corporate governance, corporate social responsibility and business ethics are incorporated into the strategic perspective of the firm.
  • Case analyses and competitive simulation game (multi-quarter, multi-nation, multi-faceted model was utilized during real time strategy formulation) were the central learning components.

Business Application Programming (Java)

  • Design, coding, and testing of business applications in a high level, object oriented computer programming language (Java).
  • Topics covered: Methods, classes, objects, control structures, arrays, string manipulation, graphics, graphical user interfaces, and web based applets.

Managing Information Systems Analysis and Design (Modeling / SDLC)

  • Focused on managing the requirements analysis and system design methodology and techniques for business information systems.
  • Coursework included cost benefit analysis and risk management of business systems development, JAD and structured walkthroughs, structured and object oriented methodologies, and software package evaluation.
  • System Development Life Cycle and OOM/UML were main course concepts.
  • Emphasis on effective communication and integration with users and user systems and encouraged interpersonal skill development with client users, team members, and others associated with development, operation, and maintenance of the system.
  • Advanced Excel competency including VBA/Macro formulation, and Pivot Tables.

Business Data Management (Oracle / SQL)

  • Fundamentals of database management systems (DBMS), including database development, processing, logical and physical design, access, implementation and administration.
  • Extensive experience in developing data models, creating relational databases, and formulating and executing complex queries in SQL.
  • Focused on analyzing the connections between data and business organizational information needs and decisions, and understanding the principles of managing organizational data.
  • Advanced experience in large scale Oracle databases and developing in SQL.

Electronic Commerce

  • Focus on how businesses and consumers use the Internet to exchange information and complete transactions.
  • Both theoretical concepts and practical skills including site design and database integration.
  • E-commerce related advertising and marketing, e-commerce business and revenue models, online consumer behavior, web site design issues, Internet security, electronic payments, infrastructure issues, privacy issues, and overall electronic commerce strategy were covered.
  • Microsoft SharePoint advanced competency.

eBusiness Enterprise Applications (ERP, SAP R/3, Salesforce.com)

  • Focus on the implications of key information technologies used within and across businesses to conduct eBusiness.
  • Developed competency in the functionality of various enterprise applications (including advanced configuration and using SAP R/3, Salesforce.com) and their integration.
  • Enterprise systems included: Customer relationship management, enterprise resource planning, supply chain management, supplier relationship management, data warehousing and data mining, data scrubbing, business intelligence and analytics, and product life-cycle management.

Negotiations and Conflict Management

  • Practical experience in the theory and processes of negotiation in a variety of settings including face-to-face, virtual and cross-cultural business environments.
  • Focus on classical game theory and application.
  • Negotiating skills developed by preparing and simulating a broad mixture of negotiations, ranging from one-on-one, to three-person, to multiparty and team negotiations.
  • Developed skills to analyze outcomes and strategies utilized during negotiations.

Human Resource Management

  • Analysis and resolution of personnel problems in organizations.
  • Application of traditional strategies for human resource planning, recruitment, selection, orientation, training, appraisal, compensation, and development.
  • Interactive and competitive multi-factor simulation that incorporated human resource management concepts and philosophy.

Management of Organizations

  • Introduction to the principles of management and human behavior in organizations.
  • Survey of organizational design structure, strategy, planning, control, human resource management, and project management.
  • Conceptual and applied introduction to organizational behavior topics such as individual differences, perception/judgment/decision-making, motivation, communication, teams/groups, leadership, conflict, ethics, social responsibility, diversity, and culture.

Supply Chain Operations Management

  • Introduction to managing global supply chains and operations within the context of an integrated value chain.
  • Topics included purchasing and supplier management, demand forecasting, aggregate planning and inventory management, collaborative planning, forecasting, and replenishment processes, capacity planning, ERP, quality management, distribution, transportation management, service operations logistics, and performance measurement.

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Recommendations

by Erik on June 20, 2009

in Uncategorized

Jill A. Brown, Ph.D

Axelrod Fellow, Assistant Professor of Management, Lehigh University

Erik Kaiser is one of the most creative, driven students that I have encountered in my decade of teaching at the university level. He is already a strategic thinker (very unusual for an undergraduate); however, he is also a young, non-traditional student who works as a Manager at an Apple store while attending classes. You will note that he tried his hand at entrepreneurship as well, which is unusual for both my undergraduates and graduate students… I have many good students and a cadre of straight-A students, but Erik is one of the few students in my senior-level strategic management course that actually ‘gets it’ from a real-world perspective.

Colleen Gallagher, June 2009

Human Resources Representative at Aesculap, Inc

I had the pleasure of working for Erik. He was an inspirational leader who conducted himself both in an ethical and professional manner. He was highly respected among his peers and subordinates and brought character and charisma to the organization. I have no doubt that Erik will excel in his future endeavors because of these exceptional qualities.

Sharon Basso, January 2009

Associate Vice Provost and Dean of Students at Lehigh University

Erik is by far one of the most intelligent, gifted and talented students that I’ve known in my 25 years as an administrator in higher education. He worked a full time management job, supporting himself financially, while attending Lehigh University, a highly competitive academic institution. His academic record is excellent but is nearly eclipsed by his professional success as a manager. He is multi-talented, creative, artistic, and has a unique combination of business and management savvy to complement his creative side. He is a young man with passion and more than one person’s fair share of integrity.

Adam Fitting, February 2009

Senior Manager at Apple Inc.

Erik has an active, sharp mind. He develops understanding quickly, and applies his knowledge creatively and practically. His aesthetic sense is well honed, and he derives great satisfaction in delivering solid results that incorporate fine detail, fit and finish. Erik is constantly striving to improve himself, and his efforts pay off personally and for his team.

Jacqueline Sloan, February 2008

Manager at Apple Inc.

Erik is action oriented and excels at critical thinking and problem solving. He is skilled at developing relationships with peers, direct reports and advisors. He brings so much to the table and all who rely upon him immediately benefit from his input.

The Honorable Christopher H. Smith

United States Representative, 4th District of New Jersey

Speaker Hastert shares my high regard for your strong credentials and notable dedication to the public good. It is clear that you have a bright future ahead, as does the community you continue to serve.

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Profile

by Erik on June 9, 2009

in Uncategorized

Erik T. Kaiser, Technologist

Throughout my career, I have maintained high performance standards while developing a strong understanding of complex systems. I have shown proven ability to design, develop, and implement ‘value-added systems’ for use in small and large scale organizations.

Profile

  • Over 8 years of successful experience managing work-flow, processes, and information systems technology utilized in both large and small scale organizations.
  • Passionate about innovation, problem solving, and technology.
  • Skilled at solving complex technology systems problems within a fast-paced environment.
  • Ability to communicate technical ideas in laypersons terms while selling an idea.
  • Proven competency at conflict management, team building, and strategic thinking.
  • Capable of managing large-scale team projects and delivering desired results, on time and under budget.
  • Effective at training staff, organizational communication, and corporate message delivery.
  • Proven competency at conflict management, team building, and strategic thinking.

General Skill Set

    1. Problem Analysis & Resolution
    2. Conflict Management & Negotiation
    3. Business Process Analysis
    4. Use Case Design
    5. Website Design & Development
    6. Teamwork & Communication
    7. Systems Modeling, QA
    8. E-Business, E-Commerce, ERP

      Computer Languages

      1. Advanced HTML
      2. Advanced CSS
      3. OO / UML Systems Modeling
      4. Entity Relationship Modeling
      5. Systems Development Life Cycle - Waterfall & Agile
      6. JAVA
      7. SAP R/3
      8. SQL
      9. Oracle Database

      Hardware & Software Skill Set

      1. Advanced Mac & PC Hardware
      2. Advanced Mac OS X and iSuite of Applications
      3. MS Windows XP & VISTA
      4. Advanced MS Excel (including creating
        Pivot Tables/formulas)
      5. Advanced MS Word
      6. Advanced MS PowerPoint
      7. MS Access, Visio, Project
      8. Adobe Creative Suite(s)

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      About Erik T. Kaiser

      8 June 2009 Uncategorized

      Leader, innovator, analyst, designer, problem solver, enabler, communicator.
      Summary
      I am a transplant from New York City living in Philadelphia, and just completed a degree in Business Information Systems at Lehigh University, a ‘top 25’ research institution located in Bethlehem, PA. For more information on my coursework, check this out.
      I have […]

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