|
|
|
|
|
|
| About Dr James A Robertson PrEng: Detailed Curriculum Vitae |
|
|
| Dr Robertson was born in Johannesburg in 1953 and has lived most of his life in Gauteng Province in South Africa. Most of his career has been spent developing and implementing solutions to business problems directed at delivering long term and lasting strategic benefit and added value. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| While he has been primarily involved in delivering consulting solutions to management since 1989 with a particular focus on Information Technology in support of business strategy, he regards his expertise today as being in the field of holistic, integrated strategic management supported by information technology. |
|
|
| |
|
|
He has been listed in Marquis "Who's Who in Science and Engineering" since 1998 and in "Who's Who in the World" which lists 40,000 people from all walks of life around the world since 1999 through to 2003. In 2002 he was approached for listing in the Second Edition (2003) of "2000 Outstanding Intellectuals of the 21st Century" (refer details on side bar).
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| The major stages of Dr Robertson's career are listed below: |
|
|
| |
|
|
| 1. PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT : JAMES A ROBERTSON AND ASSOCIATES |
|
|
| In 1997, James decided to withdraw from the software development arena as a result of the high working capital requirement of this type of business and to concentrate once more on offering high level management consulting services in the areas of strategy, systems architecture and program management. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Since then, projects have included assignments with IBM Consulting Group, the National Crime Prevention Strategy, a Human Resources Strategy for a major Government Department, a strategy for combating crimes against women and children and a strategy to eliminate crime in a local Police Precinct. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Increasingly, James' attention has been focused on determining the critical issues behind sub-optimal organizational performance and he has developed techniques for formulating, managing and implementing short and medium term turn-around strategies in conjunction with long term growth strategies. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| He has also been involved in preliminary consultations with the objective of developing an effective, results oriented approach to true black empowerment and provided strategic advisory services to one of the bidders for the Third Cellular license. His approach in all that he undertakes is strongly focused on measurable, results orientated outcomes. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| In 1999 he spent the year in an Interim Executive capacity as the Business Systems Executive for a large healthcare group conducting a feasibility study and conceptual design and project plan for the procurement and deployment of a comprehensive integrated administration and clinical workbench system as part of an overall corporate growth strategy. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| During this assignment he developed an ambitious concept and implementation plan for an integrated health management solution. This solution was directed at using an integrated Clinical Workbench platform coupled with advanced digital clinical equipment, structured information coding and a comprehensive information warehouse and research establishment to apply engineering maintenance management and other probabilistic techniques to implement a clinically robust predictive health maintenance capability. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| The strategic business objective was to produce a long term sustainable and measurable improvement in overall patient wellness. This project was placed on hold as a consequence of capital constraints following acquisition by a new share holder. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| His next assignment was as project and systems architect on a project to integrate and upgrade the same clients existing systems in support of an overall improvement in clinic efficiencies. This project was placed on hold following the death of a key role player, the emigration of one of the key in-house project team members and various other developments. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Other recent assignments have included Strategic Marketing planning for a large Technologies Services company and an initial systems requirements specification for a Clinical Trials company. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Achievements |
|
|
| Listed in "Who's Who in Science and Engineering" since 1998 and "Who's Who in the World" since 1999 and also "Who's Who in America" in 2003. Also listed in the Second Edition of "2000 Outstanding Intellectuals of the 21st Century" for 2003. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Specification of a comprehensive integrated workflow management interface for the existing clinic administration systems at a major Healthcare Group. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Conceptual specification of solution and development of outline project plan to redefine the international health care market for a major Healthcare Group. Included travel to Singapore, UK and USA to evaluate available solutions and best practice. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Nine year low housebreaking occurrence in local Police Precinct achieved six months after assuming position of Chairman of the Community Police Forum, in part attributed to the strategic plan developed by James. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Selection as senior consultant and team leader on a team appointed to advise on certain aspects of the National Crime Prevention Strategy. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| 2. 1993 - 1997 : MANAGING DIRECTOR : DIFFERENTIATED STRATEGIC SOLUTIONS (Pty) Ltd (dS2) |
|
|
| Founded the company in 1993 as a merger of three companies. Successfully traded in the Management Consulting and I.T. Services sectors. Clients included Armscor, Kelly Group, Price Forbes Group, Rennies Group, Lonrho Platinum Division, The Office of the President, Eskom and others. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Diverse experience in establishing, marketing and running a multi-disciplinary service company against major competitors to the point where they were able to hold their own against Deloitte and Touche, Arthur Little, Ernest and Young, QData and other major players in their industry sector. Most clients were in the over R100 million turn over bracket and many were in the over R1 billion bracket. This was accomplished without external capital. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Achievements |
|
|
| Twice flown to London by a major courier company, second occasion all expenses paid included three day consulting fee to run a six hour workshop. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Won tender for I.T. Strategy for major Parastatal against a number of major competitors. Commended by client. Subsequently complimented by a director of a major competitor and told that …. "could not have done it". |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Assembled international consortium for Tender for Transformation of the SANDF, made it to short list of three out of nineteen submissions. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Delivered papers at conferences in London, Munich and Tel Aviv by invitation. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Developed an approach to software conceptualization, design and construction which ensures that the client's concept is reliably converted into an effective and innovative solution. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Chairman of The MaXus Group, network of specialist consulting firms with international contacts. Mobilized General Gordon Sullivan, former Chief of Staff of the US Army as well as British Defense Establishment Research Agency for SANDF Tender. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| 3. 1989 - 1993 : PRINCIPAL : JAMES A ROBERTSON AND ASSOCIATES |
|
|
| Founded in 1989, predecessor of dS2 conducting much the same business as dS2. Clients included Price Forbes, V3 Consulting Engineers and other major consulting engineering firms. Built on personal reputation in the consulting engineering industry and long term marketing and public relations drive to gain entrance to the mainstream commercial market. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Achievements |
|
|
| Design and implementation of a Risk Management system for a major Insurance broker which gave rise to substantial improvements in information quality and reduced manpower requirements for system in use at several Parastatals. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Design and development of Executive Information System for major firm of Consulting Engineers. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Improvement in year-end financial result turnaround for major firm of Consulting Engineers from five months to seven weeks with issue of audited financial statements without qualification for first time in 15 years. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Establishment of The MaXus Group. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| 4. 1985 - 1989 : PRINCIPAL ENGINEER : STEFFEN, ROBERTSON AND KIRSTEN Inc |
|
|
| SRK is an international Geotechnical and Mining Consultancy with offices in South Africa, Canada and the USA. Involved in Mining Geotechnics projects including Dragline hazard management and design of one of the largest open cast mine slopes in the World. Also managed the I.T. function including migration from mid-range mini-computer to PC environment with full end user empowerment and incentive scheme. Designed, project managed and implemented one of the first fully integrated operational and financial systems for the Novell network environment. Still in effective use today. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Achievements |
|
|
| Development of approach to Dragline operating hazard management which permitted significantly reduced operating overheads. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Negotiation of a six fold budget increase for a project in Zaire, marketed in Belgian through an interpreter. Probabilistic design of one of the largest open cast mine slopes in the world. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Successful completion of the construction, commissioning and implementation of integrated and operational management information system for the firm that greatly improved management information, month end billing turnaround and accounting efficiency. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| At time of resignation it was indicated that he was in line for appointment as managing director at the end of the year. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| 5. 1981 - 1985 : ASSOCIATE : ANGUS ROBERTSON INVESTMENT CONSULTANTS |
|
|
| Firm of international investment consultants specializing in South African Gold shares with clients including Bank Louis Dreyfuss in Paris, Union Bank of Switzerland, Davis Borkum Hare and others. Broad based exposure to economics particularly the commodity and stock markets and fundamental economic analysis of all major South African Gold Mines. Traveled overseas regularly to meet with clients, including meetings at the senior Vice President level. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Achievements |
|
|
| Techniques introduced permitted a doubling of turnover in the first year. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Issued revised dividend estimates for all Gold Shares within one hour of revised lease and tax formulae being announced in the budget. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| 6. 1977 - 1981 : POST GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT : WITS UNIVERSITY |
|
|
| Department of Civil Engineering, Wits University undertaking research for PhD. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Achievements |
|
|
| Invited to undertake PhD without first completing MSc. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Designed, built and implemented a design and construct project for second year students which is still in use today. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Developed business plan and prospectus for research funding and raised twice as much funding as the University thought could be raised. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Obtained research grants for a fifth year of research despite being told that it was not possible. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Developed much of the software necessary for analysis and presentation of results. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Six week study tour to the United States as part of prize for "Anglo Alpha Award for the Promotion of Concrete" awarded for PhD thesis in 1985. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| 7. MILITARY (CF) : LT. COLONEL : OFFICER COMMANDING 6 FIELD ENGINEER REGIMENT |
|
|
| National Service in 1972, 1 Special Service Battalion. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Citizen Force, 6 Field Regiment, Administrative Officer and subsequently OC from 1986 to 1990. Repositioned the Regiment from second rate support unit to one of the best Engineer Regiments in the Citizen Force by rebranding the Unit (new flash and motto) and motivating troops. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Achievements |
|
|
| First Commander of Regiment to achieve rank of Lt. Col (Commandant). |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Regiment nominated as one of two best peace keeping units to serve in Soweto in 1988. Molded the peace keeping team from liberal English speaking officers opposed to going into the townships and conservative Afrikaans speaking non-commissioned officers. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Troops set record for assault river crossing of five hours against British Army standard of nine hours. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Appointed as OC despite no operational experience and being told that having been involved in headquarters (administrative) functions throughout career would not qualify to become OC. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Previous OC received Chief of the Army Commendation for Administration towards end of James' term as Administrative Officer. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| One of very few English speakers to achieve rank in his squadron during National Service. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| 8. SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE |
|
|
| Diverse problem solving skills in general management, I.T. and engineering. Particularly strong at diagnosing critical issues in sub-optimal performance situations and identifying remedial action. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Broad knowledge of business management disciplines extending into Economics, Accounting, Human Resources, Marketing, Selling, Strategy Development and Implementation, Risk Management, Insurance, Legal, Intellectual Property Rights, Project Management, Software Engineering, etc. A generalist and integrator rather than a specialist. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Market Focused Strategy development, planning and execution is a particular interest. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Comprehensive knowledge and experience with regard to the "Real Issues" behind achieving successful I.T. support for business and what to do to make I.T. work. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Broad marketing and P.R. experience in taking a company from a completely unknown quantity to one that won tenders against major names in the industry and offered serious competition in other tenders. The name of the company was well known by many in the I.T. industry. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Leadership and motivational skills and experience, particularly in the Military Context but also in building dS2 and all other phases of his career. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| A strong focus on no-nonsense, practical, results oriented business solutions. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| 9. STRENGTHS |
|
|
| Ability to develop and implement a vision. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Ability to analyze and interpret business problems, diagnose the root problem and develop solutions that work. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Innovative but also systematic, abhors change for the sake of change. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Enjoys a challenge. Much of what he has achieved has been contrary to opinions that it could not be done or that he did not have the experience to do it. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Ability to motivate a team to go the extra mile. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Can talk confidently with leaders and executives at the highest level and motivate proposals. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| A rigorous commitment to honesty, integrity and transparency. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Willing to bring in complementary expertise to ensure a successful outcome. Recognizes his weaknesses and is prepared to work with others to compensate. Strong network to source required specialists. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Willing to take considerable risk to achieve something that he believes in. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Determination to press on against resistance and set-backs to achieve an objective and deliver a solution that works and exceeds expectations. Does not give up for as long as he is certain that the course of action and objective are correct. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Leading thinking in practical software engineering that delivers quality results that work. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Hard worker, self disciplined. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Able to and enjoys learning new skills and new organizations quickly. Readily adapts existing knowledge and experience to new problems and new environments. Most major achievements have been in areas where conventional thinking would say that he did not have the necessary formal training and / or experience. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| 10. WEAKNESSES? |
|
|
| Not good with Corporate Politics and Red Tape. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Does not suffer fools gladly - not tolerant of foolish and careless mistakes. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Tends to make sure of all necessary information before taking a decision. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Inclined to too much detail at times. Prefers to interact with members of a team in order to manage this. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Not a sociable person. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Dislikes confrontation. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Selling and interpersonal skills could be improved. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Demands a very high standard from himself and those around him. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Low tolerance for working with those who are inconsistent, follow hidden agendas or do not deal with integrity. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| 11. QUALIFICATIONS AND SCHOOLING |
|
|
| Registered Professional Engineer. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Member of the South African Society of Civil Engineers and The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Listed in "Who's Who in Science and Engineering" in 1998. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Listed in "Who's Who in the World" since 1999 (one of only 40,000 names) for work with regard to the "Real Issues" in information technology. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Listed in "Who’s Who in America" for 2003. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Listed in the Second Edition of "2000 Outstanding Intellectuals of the 21st Century" for 2003. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| PhD in Civil Engineering from Witwatersrand University. Awarded the "Anglo Alpha Award for the Promotion of Concrete" for his PhD Thesis, including an international study tour. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| BSc Engineering (Civil) Witwatersrand University, awarded in 1976, cum laude. Class president for two and a half years, president of Student Engineers Gavel Association (Toastmasters) for two years, organized annual Symposium for S A Federation of University Engineering Students. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| JMB Matric, Saint Stithians College 1970, three distinctions, 2 x B's. School prefect, captain of fourth Rugby Team, member of 12 Club (top 12 academic scholars), top student in Biology in National Youth Science Week, finalist in National Mathematics Olympiad. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Rosebank Primary School. School prefect, house captain and captain of scholar patrol. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| 12. RELIGIOUS |
|
|
| Committed believer in Yah {the LORD / God / Allah}. Particular interest in areas of doctrine which are not consistent with scripture. Particular focus on identifying the "Real Issues" in the effective and practical application of the faith in every day life and in resolving issues of ambiguity in current church practice. Promotion of discoveries that validate the authenticity of the Bible. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Top of Page |
|
| Use "Back" button on browser to return to the previous page |
|
|
