User:Randyfisher

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Randy Fisher aka Wikirandy
Website:Randy Fisher, MA,
Organization Management & Development
Employer:Intersol Group Ltd., Ottawa, Canada +1 613 230 6424
Occupation:Senior Consultant, Change Management & Organization Development
Other roles:Elected Member, WikiEducator Community Council
Nationality:Canadian
Country:Canada
email
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 This user is an elected member of the WikiEducator Community Council.




Contents


About Randy Fisher, MA, OMD ~ aka "Wikirandy"

Currently, I am a Senior Consultant with the Intersol Group in Ottawa, Canada and the Open Education Resource (OER) Foundation, in New Zealand.

I have 15+ years of experience related to stakeholder engagement, project management, coordination and implementation. I have expertise in Change Management and Performance Improvement; Organizational Design & Development, Building Sustainable Projects, Communities and Networks; and in using wikis, blogs and social networking tools for collaboration, participatory learning and engagement. I am an elected member of the first WikiEducator Community Council.

I have experience in education, forestry, energy, government (public policy) and nonprofits (including social / immigrant services), in business, marketing, communications and HR services. I have advised, trained and coached front-line staff, technical and IT specialists, middle managers and executives. In 2008, I wrote the Winter 2008 cover story for the BC Human Resources Management Association: Mergers & Acquisitions: Are You Ready?. Please see my Profile.

My Abilities

  • Strategic thinker, and able to operationalize / implement the vision
  • Strong analytical, investigative and synthesizing skills
  • Able to bridge business and technology worlds - excellent communication skills especially with technical folks!
  • Able to increase employee engagement, collaboration, and performance in teams, communities, and strategic partnerships
    • excellent facilitation skills and community-building expertise
    • skilled at mentoring others and community development - online and face-to-face
    • works well with diverse, multicultural employees
    • designs and develops education / ODL / e-learning materials, communities - F2F or distributed/virtual environments, in Canada and internationally
    • excellent writing skills -- see Intro to WikiEducator Letters
    • supports WikiEducator Pilot Projects process

My Education

  • 2009 - MA, Organization Management and Development, Fielding Graduate University, California
Thesis: Primal Needs Gone Digital: Educators' Motivations in an Open Wiki Environment
  • 1987 - BJ (Journalism), post-graduate degree, University of King's College, Halifax
  • 1985 - BA (Political Science), McGill University, Montreal



My Work & Consulting History

Intersol Group, Ottawa, Canada

Senior Consultant & Facilitator, specializing in organization development, change/transition management, and stakeholder/community engagement using ICTs and social media. I specialize in facilitating online collaboration, learning / learning communities and sustainable and scalable project implementation. My Profile.

  • One Change, Ottawa, Canada. -- Facilitated stakeholder consultations for website redesign, community engagement and use of Web2.0 social media and interactivity.
  • Commonwealth Youth Programme, Regional Centre for Africa, Lusaka, Zambia -- Facilitated the development of OERs and a peace-building social network for African youth (Youth4Peace). -- Coached a local rapporteur to build organizational capacity. Developed an orientation manual, contributors' guide, reporting guidelines and monitoring and evaluation framework, and 2-day workshop.


  • Provided facilitation support, and report-writing for a national workshop (100 people) for Developing a Research Agenda to Support Sodium Reduction in Canada, Toronto, January 25-26, 2010. Held under the auspices of (Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR): The The Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes(INMD) and The Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health (ICRH).) This report supports the work of Health Canada's Working Group on Sodium Reduction, and is incorporated into the report of the Sodium Working Group.

International Centre for Open Education / Open Education Resource (OER) Foundation, New Zealand

Senior Consultant, Organization Development & Capacity-Building

2006 - 2009

The Commonwealth of Learning, Vancouver, BC

(1) WikiEducator - Strategist, Facilitator & Community-Builder

Supported 5 Education Specialists with change management, stakeholder engagement and organization development activities.

(Reporting to Wayne Mackintosh, Ph.D., Education Specialist, E-Learning & ICT Policy, COL)


(2) Community Media / Community Radio & Public Health (HIV/AIDS)

(Reporting to Ian Pringle, Education Specialist, Media, COL)

Organizational and programming development for community media / radio stations and public health communities; facilitating the startup of wiki-related actions as part of COL's capacity building activities for Open Educational Resources in Media for Learning.

(3) Governance and Leadership

(Reporting to Tanyss Munro, Ph.D., Education Specialist, Governance, COL)

  • Designed in-country governance / leadership workshops and ODL planning sessions (Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands)
  • Co-developed objectives, agenda and design of ODL Think Tank on Governance in London, UK (July 2008), attended by representatives from the World Bank, UN Development Programme (UNDP), Commonwealth Secretariat and Commonwealth Foundation, and regional organisations from developing countries.
  • Stakeholder communications, community facilitation and workshop design, for ODL resources in governance.
  • Developed reporting template for COL's Board of Governors
  • Provided needs analysis input to COL-Commonwealth Youth Programme's Governance Social Networking initiative.

(4) Coordinator, Commonwealth Executive MBA / MPA Programmes & Consortium

(Reporting to Willie Clarke-Okah, Ph.D., Education Specialist, Higher Education & Policy Development, COL - from Nov. 2006-Aug. 2008)

  • Coordinating the open and distance learning CEMBA / MPA Programmes in Commonwealth developing countries including Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Guyana, Ghana & Nigeria).
  • Evaluated external consultants for course reviews and revisions; and to prepare Action Plan for converting Print-Content to E-Learning Delivery System
  • Coordinated Executive Governing Board and Academic Board meetings and correspondence.

(5) Tutor (e-Learning), COL's Writing Effectively Programme

  • Tutored UN HIV/AIDS & WHO managers and administrative staff - at a distance - to improve their writing skills, under the COLeIO programme.
  • Developed companion Learner Study Guide on WikiEducator.


iCentro Networks, Vancouver, 2006-2009

Practice Manager

  • An Organization Design & Development consulting practice with expertise in stakeholder engagement, facilitation and collaboration; managing change; and building sustainable communities, networks and alliances.
  • Developed Strategic Action Network methodology and organizational strategy to assist client-stakeholders to achieve business objectives. Designed and facilitated BC PowerPeer Network — a supply-chain business development network of 10 alternative energy sector firms.
  • Assessed stakeholder positioning and developed engagement and communication strategies. Defined possible business impacts and cultural changes. Developed strategies and interventions to ease change / transition efforts.
  • Facilitated stakeholders to gain consensus and buy-in; managed change through coaching, workshops, generative dialogue, interviews, feedback, summaries, reviews,
  • Consulting to UBC's Learning Exchange, to support the development of a web-based Community Service Learning community of practice, integral to Professional Development.

2005 - 2006 - Family Service Agency, Vancouver, BC

Counsellor, Employment & Job Match Programs

  • Provided vocational counselling, empathy, resume writing, cover letters, behavioural interview strategies.
  • Provided employment support, referral, advocacy, lead-generation and job search techniques for new and recent immigrants.
  • Mentored and coached diverse, multi-cultural clientele.
  • Developed leads and contacts with employers in high tech, business and nonprofit organizations.
  • Designed and facilitated Canada Workplace Culture workshops and breakfast networking event for business professionals called “Nosh n’ Network”.
  • Designed / launched career-related web blogs to assist job-seekers and case managers.

1999-2005 — iCentro Corporation, Vancouver, BC

Managing Director

  • Launched an IT recruitment / placement firm (1999). After the dot-com bust (2001), iCentro retooled focusing on organization management and development, human performance and interpersonal networks. Formed strategic alliances with Futureworks (Seattle); Epsilon Learning & Trottier & Associates (Vancouver).

2002-2005

  • Developed slate of consulting services (including learning workshops, leadership coaching, needs analysis, surveys, data collections and facilitation) to increase innovation and build collaborative relationships and networks. Based on The iCentro Method POWER Network System™. Designed and facilitated workshops to government, nonprofits and the high tech community.
  • Expert knowledge of strategies and adult learning principles for building rapport and project implementation.
  • Designed team-building workshop for 25 supervisors and case workers in mental health agency (ATCMHMR, Austin, TX)


1999-2001

  • Marketed and provided IT and related recruiting services in Canada and the US.
  • Focused on “reverse-marketing” candidates (i.e., advocating best-fit candidates to employers)
  • Developed and maintained strategic relationship with Microsoft Alumni recruiter.
  • Provided support and coaching to 100+ career transition professionals. Used MBTI and Strong Interest Inventory assessment tools. Conducted pre-screening, candidate assessment, background and reference checks, interview coaching and candidate-employer bridging.

2005 - MarketFit, Vancouver, BC (part-time)

Account Executive

  • Provided PR / media relations for clients in finance, foodservices and real estate.
  • Positioned and marketed a $15M private Island in Fiji as the “The Ultimate Christmas Gift”.
  • Also secured feature profile in BC Business and media coverage in US.

2003 - Executives on Auction, Vancouver, BC

Program Manager

  • Launched online auction — raising funds for charity by auctioning off time with executives.
  • Recruited 50+ business execs to raise money their favourite charities. 20+ business associations and media agreed to promote the auction to members.
  • Planned and coordinated ‘Benefit Lunch’ for 40+ execs, sponsors, charities, media personalities and VIPs.
  • Negotiated numerous sponsorships. Managed relationship with PR agency. Wrote and test-marketed all supporting marketing / communications collateral (online, print, electronic)

1992-1999 - Randy Fisher Communications, Ottawa, ON & Vancouver, BC

Managing Director

1997 - Team building / communications for Multiactive Technologies e-commerce division.

  • Coached a young and diverse team of 25 technical professionals (software engineers, IT / IS and web pros) to gel into a team. Provided onsite coaching and facilitated teambuilding workshop. The team stayed together for 3 years, and eventually went on to win a Codie Award.

1994-1996 - Project Co-Leader, Branham Group, Ottawa, ON & Miramichi, NB

  • Conducted market research studies and strategic planning process to support business growth, economic development and cluster formation ~ Branham become a leader in distance learning consulting.
  • Won a $150K contract for a regional economic development strategy in Atlantic Canada. Analyzed business case for distance learning consortium based in Ontario.
  • Conducted public consultations for community input and buy-in for regional economic development initiatives.
  • Developed a Strategic Action Plan for an e-learning institute in Miramichi, NB.
  • Conducted market research, interviews and data-gathering for feasibility studies Applied statistical and other research methods into business issues and data analysis (SPSS).

Public Relations, Writing & Communications

1990-1996 - Writing / research projects for Ottawa-based associations, NGO's, associations and the government of Canada

  • Association of Provincial Organizations (APRO) ~ now Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Association (reporting to Graham Taylor)
  • Canada Post Speakers Bureau
  • Canadian Advanced Technology Association (CATA Alliance) - (reporting to John Reid)
  • Environment Canada;
  • House of Commons Public Information Office (reporting to Susan Wright)
  • Industry Canada
  • Labarge Weinstein (reporting to Debbie Weinstein)
  • Telecommunications Research Institute of Ontario / Knowledge Connection Corporation / Ottawa Carleton Research Institute (OCR) (reporting to Jim McPherson)
  • National Capital Commission (reporting to Richard Landis)
  • National Research Council
  • Natural Resources Canada
  • Pre-competitive Applied Research Network (PRECARN) & Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Systems (IRIS) (reporting to Carol Rochefort)

1993 - Communications Officer, Pubic Service Commission / Training & Development Canada (reporting to Guy D'Amour)
1992 - Director, Communications, Public Policy Forum, Ottawa (reporting to Geoff Poapst)
1992 - Communications Officer, Bell-Northern Research (Northern Telecom), (reporting to John Hewer) Ottawa
1991-1992 - Advertising / Copywriter, Minto Developments, Ottawa (reporting to Robert Greenberg)

Journalism, Montreal, QC, Toronto, ON & Ottawa, ON, 1987-1991

Journalist, Business & High Tech

  • The Globe and Mail (Report on Business), Ottawa
  • The Financial Post, Montreal
  • CBC Radio (CBO) Morning, Ottawa
  • The Ottawa Citizen, Copy Editor
  • Truck Fleet (Maclean Hunter)

My Education - Diplomas & Certifications

  • 2010 - Project Management Professional (PMP) - planned
  • 2007 - BC Provincial Instructor / Train-the-Trainer, Vancouver Community College. Recognized by the BC Ministry of Advanced Education
  • 2001 - The Birkman Method
  • 2000 - Strong Interest Inventory
  • 1999 - Myers-Briggs Type Inventory

Certifications & Courses

  • 2007 - BC Instructor Diploma Program, Train-the-Trainer, Vancouver Community College

Coaching & Mentoring

  • 2004 - Mentoring - Group Dynamics and Facilitation, Trottier & Associates, Vancouver

Courses

  • 2009 - Foundation Course in Group Facilitation, Intersol Group, Ottawa, Canada

R&D

  • Developing 'Levels of Engagement' schema
  • Developing process for Agile Community Engagement, Social Learning + Rapid Prototyping and Project Implementation (ACESLRPPI) --pronounced "eh slurpy" - incorporating a Canadian phrase with a fun drink!
  • Customising action research model for continuous professional development (elearning) (w/Gurmit Singh)

Publications (articles)

2009

2008

2007

  • "Mergers & Acquisitions: Are You Ready", cover story in PeopleTalk Winter 2007 issue, BC Human Resources Management Association, (pp. 12-20)
  • "Climate Change: Opportunities for Exporters" (working title), for Export Development Canada
  • Profile: Student Services Evaluation Coordinator, in Outlook, for CGA-BC Outlook
  • Profile: Teldon Media / Printing, in Outlook, for CGA-BC

2006

  • "From 50 lb laptops to PDA's: Computer User Group Still Going Strong After 20 Years", BC Certified General Accountants association, Vancouver
  • "Enterprise Rent-A-Car is a Company on the Move", BC-Certified General Accountants association, in Outlook, Vancouver
  • Profile: Canada Export Centre, in ExportWise, for Export Development Canada

1999

Presentations

2009

2008

2007

  • The Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning has grown to become one of the world’s leading conferences on learning and global development. PCF5 in London will explore how open and distance learning can help achieve international development goals and education for all. The conference theme is "Access to Learning for Development" with a focus on children and young people, health, livelihoods, social justice, conflict and governance.

2004

  • Increasing Collaboration: Network Organizations and Horizontality, by Randy Fisher and Patrick Trottier, iCentro Corporation. Presented at Riding the Winds of Change, Pacific Management Community Council, Burnaby, BC November 23-24, 2004.
  • The iCentro Method: Building Powerful Relationships and Networks, Fraser Valley Technology Network, and New Media Boot Camp (NewMedia BC and National Research Council).

2003

  • Trends and Opportunities in the IT industry, Vancouver Educational & Career Fair.

2002

  • Unlocking Your Future: Strategies & Tactics - The IT Industry: Trends and Opportunities, Project Management & Job Search Techniques. Presented at JobShop/Sprott Shaw Community College, Surrey Central City, BC.
  • JobSearch Clinic for Graduate Students, Advanced Systems Institute and Simon Fraser University, 2002
  • HRDC Job Seminars, Teamwork, MBTI and IT sector job search strategies, 2002

Theories / Approaches I Enjoy...

  • Abilene Paradox (Thanks Jonathan Walker, Austin, TX)
  • Action Learning (Reg Revans)
  • Adult Education (Knowles, and Bloom's Taxonomy of Learning)
  • Appreciative Inquiry / Strength-Based Approaches
  • Bloom's Taxonomy of Learning
  • Collaborative Transformation
  • Communities of Practice (Etienne Wenger)
  • Core Group Theory (Art Kleiner)
  • Complexity and Self-Organization (Wheatley, Stacey, Cilliers)
  • Metaphors: Organizations as Brains, Political Systems, Flux & Transformation, Psychic Prisons (Morgan)
  • Strategic Foresight
  • Transitions, Development and Renewal (William Bridges)

Professional Organizations

  • BC Human Resources Management Association (BCHRMA)
  • BC Organizational Development Network (BCODN)
  • Organizational Development Network (OD Network)
  • Project Management International

My Websites

Other

Community Service

  • FolkJam Ottawa
  • Randy Fisher Campaign page for WikiEducator's 1st Community Council 2008
  • Amarok Society, 2008. Special Advisor to the Board - Supported the transition from family legacy project to a more structured organization. Responsibilities: Board development, stakeholder engagement and transition coaching.
  • Developed two Fieldkits (Resources) for Fielding Graduate University OMD Program, 2007
  • St. Paul Hospital - Healthy Heart Resource Centre, Vancouver, 2006
  • Simcha Live! Producer & Emcee, 2005-2006
    • Launched and produced monthly music and cultural showcase. Managed team of 2 direct reports and 5 indirect reports. Recruited 25+ performers in 8 months. Developed blogs and executed email marketing campaigns.
  • Vancouver Downtown Community & Simcha Live! Member, Steering Committee, 2005-2006
  • Vancouver Board of Trade, Leaders of Tomorrow Program (Mentor), 2004-2005
  • Washington Software Alliance, Seattle, 2000
    • Lead interviewer: “Cracking the New E-conomy: Business Tools for Entrepreneurs, 2000.
  • Softworld Marketing Committee, Vancouver, 1998;
  • Ottawa Distance Learning Group, Ottawa, Acting Director, 1997



Welcome to the Organization Management and Development Page

Featuring Useful OD Resources, Readings & Strategies


My Perspective

  • Always be aware of the human factor in technology / community creation.
  • Make sure the technologies/technologists serve the users. Use every opportunity to engage others, and learn individually and collectively.
  • Know your stakeholders well, and their interests.
  • Communicate effectively, by multiple means at varying frequencies within the group and externally.
  • Wikis are a paradigm-shift - and also represent a power-shift: Remember that fear and anxiety are ever-present - before we ever started talking about MediaWiki / Wikieducator!
  • Give laggards (or perceived laggards) an opportunity to participate at their level.
  • Respond to feedback.
  • KISS..and...keep our eyes on the prize ~ individually and writ-large (i.e., Millenium Development Goals).
  • Exercise self-reflection
  • Try to find the humour / enjoy the laughter!

My Interests in Organization Management & Development

(currently (2009), as Senior Consultant @ Intersol Group, Ottawa)


Specifically...

  • Evaluating, aligning and leveraging organizational processes, dynamics, history and culture and opportunities for movement and sustainable change
  • Creating strategies for engaging stakeholders based on strengths, challenges, interests, motivations, resources and relationships;
  • Supporting organizational change (including large-scale change such as Mergers & Acquisitions), and business process improvement efforts - for measurable results;
  • Developing strategies for building rapport, facilitating sustainable groups, communities, clusters, networks and alliances using collaborative technologies

Selected Projects

  • WikiEducator - Developed a sustainable community-building strategy for a global e-learning community. Facilitating cluster development, relationship-building and partnering in 53 Commonwealth countries.
  • WikiGovernance/COLLaGE - Developing project node on WikiEducator for e-learning related to governance. Coordinating development of Instructional Design for Governance Toolkit. Designing online conversation cafe for opinion leaders in NGOs to share ideas and insights re: governance in the developing world.
  • A strategic action plan and public consultations for a community college to develop an e-learning institute — identifying and qualifying 50+ strategic partners in all aspect of curriculum design and delivery.
  • An economic development plan to attract knowledge-based industries to a remote community;
  • Market research to identify and qualify buyer behaviour and strategic partner opportunities for e-learning for major manufacturers of telecommunications equipment. (also developed business case for new e-learning consortium);
  • Feasibility studies for the launch and marketing of new environmental assessment software; and competitiveness for a research and development lab in the forestry sector;
  • A supply-chain business development network for alternate energy companies seeking opportunities in Asia and South America;
  • Workshop design and delivery for associations, government and corporate sector, including high-tech.

Anagrams





Activity

Create a portal page for your organisation in WikiEducator
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  2. Enter the name of your organisation in the text field below adhering to the capitalisation guidelines suggested above.
  3. Click on the "Create my OER portal page" button below and a new window will open.
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