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Contact Grant |
Professional Profile:Grant Johnson is a founder and partner of Horizons Unlimited Consulting. Mr. Johnson has 25 years business experience including: management and computer consulting, business management in the retail industry (up to 50 staff reporting), commercial software development and marketing, project management, and systems implementation and training. He specializes in the application of information technology to improve business processes, including definition of requirements, evaluation of software and hardware alternatives, change management, training and implementation. He is a Certified Lotus Notes Instructor and has conducted Lotus Notes application developer and system administrator training for multinational corporations. |
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Selected Professional Experience:Management and computer systems consultingConsulted to a medium sized importing, wholesale-retail operation in Hong Kong on new hardware and software configuration, with a view to networking the office for improved functionality and access to information. Subsequently installed network and configured systems, trained staff to use new systems, and optimized performance. Configured new hardware and software for a thriving small business to enable tracking of customers and matching to possible equipment sales. Installed desktop publishing system to enable publishing a regular newsletter, and automated faxing of newsletter to customers all over Australia. Established security procedures for data protection against viruses, theft or loss of data. Set up communications system to enable electronic access to bank accounts. Designed inventory control system, implemented full accounting system. Developed vertical market application software (photography) and successfully marketed it to hundreds of customers in Australia and overseas, including Australian government departments, Universities and Hospitals. Provided help-desk support for the software. As a Certified Lotus Notes Instructor, conducted training courses in application development and systems administration to major international companies in Southeast Asia for Lotus Development (Singapore) for their advanced groupware products. Retail sales and managementComplete responsibility for all operations in a complex retail-wholesale operation (international operations, 10-15 major international suppliers in nine countries and numerous retail and wholesale customers). Responsibilities included supervision of departmental managers, budgeting, financial reporting, cash management and financing, staff sales training, purchasing, advertising and promotions. Accomplishments included a major upgrading in the appearance of the store and the successful implementation of a minicomputer based inventory control (150,000 item types) and accounting system. The system included sales, accounts payable, receivable, general ledger, payroll, and budgeting and planning systems. Trained all staff for the systems. Efforts resulted in increased sales and reduced expenses, with a significant annual improvement in the bottom line. Daily operations, staff hiring, training and supervision, purchasing and inventory controls, in-store display and organization for a thriving retail sporting goods and clothing operation specializing in high quality imported European products in Vancouver. As manager of a specialty outdoor store, Mr. Johnson was responsible for all in-store functions except accounting, which was done by the head office. During this period, he managed the moving of the store to a new location, simultaneously merging with another store. Significantly increased sales through aggressive selling and staff training sessions, with improved presentation of product and product mix, resulted in this store being the most profitable store in the company. Three other locations were subsequently added to his responsibilities. With a partner, Mr. Johnson purchased a small motorcycle repair shop. Within a year, he bought out his partner, and within three years had grown the business into the second largest Suzuki dealership in Canada. Photography and writingAssociated with Miller Comstock, one of the largest international photographic stock agencies. As a freelance writer and photographer, his work was exhibited at prestigious regional art photography exhibitions and a private show. Also did freelance portraiture. Authored a number of published magazine articles (technical, travel and features), and supplied all the photography for the stories. Other:
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