Nowadays, a huge number of Startups are seeing the light of day - few live long enough to make history. In their nascent days, it's quite normal for them to run at the speed of light, throwing people at problems encountered. After all, the key to success at this stage is to delineate themselves from the competition and emerge as leaders. Unfortunately, as they grow, this behavior doesn't scale and will inevitably lead to failure.
mfazix
Managed Growth
This is where Project Management comes into play. Enabling companies to move to the next level in their growth. Achieving their true potential by focusing on the right things at the right time. Empowering teams to define and tackle the right priorities. Managing expectations from all sides. Focusing on long term goals, not just short term gains to unravel the vision. Removing road blocks along the way and understanding that "resources" are actual people with their own strengths, weaknesses & personalities with which you must form a perfect chorus to be successful. Project Managing teams requires the perfect blend of; technical savviness, leadership, diplomacy and resolve.
Herding cats is never easy...
mfazix specializes in providing Project Management services to Startups needing the governance and framework to realize their objectives. Fostering communications with all teams to successfully align and execute on targets. Championing the use of the Agile software development methodology and Project Management's best practices to succeed. mfazix provides a wide breadth of expertise by having engaged with high level companies from multiple industries. Our portfolio speaks for itself - let us be the catalyst to your growth.
Project | Program | Product | Management, Consulting & Leadership
Profile
Result driven, empowering multi-disciplinary teams to collaborate and perform on a global scale through integrity and respect. Thrive under the pressure of ambitious and innovative challenges. Highly adaptable, prize learning new skills in varied domains of expertise. Expert in building strong relationships with key stakeholders and external partners. Responsible for predictably delivering outstanding products to market.
- Entire software program lifecycle management
- Synchronization of globally distributed teams
- Fostering cross functional/divisional collaboration
- Championing the Agile development methodology
- Building strong partner & 3rd party relationships
- Contract development & negotiations
- Critical path analysis & risk mitigation
- Driver of key corporate initiatives
"you go where you look"
© 2019 mfazix Inc. All rights reserved.
The Works
My name is Laurent Guittard and I have worked in a number of high-tech companies, large & small, in the last 30 years and performed in various positions - from Engineering to Product Management, in industries from television broadcasting to software development. My latest foray into Project & Program Management was fascinating and made me realize even more the importance of focusing all parties' efforts in order to achieve a common vision. My goal is now to re-invest this significant amount of experience and apply it to companies that need it most in their quest for success - Startups.
Enabling Startups in achieving their vision
With such a unique perspective, I am in a position to accompany Startups on their quest, enabling them to break down barriers to success and becoming the catalyst to their growth. If future performance is based on past successes, the road ahead is exciting!
The Mission
mfazix is empowering Startups in achieving their strategic goals by providing guidance and structure to their global teams. Enabling them to focus on growth while facilitating a collaborative execution where teamwork, accountability, predictability and performance are "de rigueur" (a must) . Championing the use of the Agile methodology and Project Management's best practices to become the catalyst to their success.
Have a look at what I've been up to and where I've made a difference thus far:
All product and company names are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders.
© 2019 mfazix Inc. All rights reserved.
The Blog
"You go where you look" - Why?
As a long time motorcycle rider, this simple phrase is the best piece of advice I was ever given by a race instructor. Little that I knew at the time, it would not only shape my riding life but my professional career as well...
On the track, it means that at each point on the course, you need to focus on reaching your next target - the next breaking point, the next corner, the next apex... By the time you've reached it, you're already focused on the next one. In simple terms, it allows your psyche to prepare and process the information and the action you'll need to take, ahead of time in order to reach that goal. Once in action, everything else is handled peripherally - you're in execution mode. All of your concentration is focused and, if a an unforeseen event comes along, you're already prepared to handle it in the scope of what you're trying to achieve.
To the uninitiated, it also means that if you're unprepared and look in the ditch, this is precisely where you'll end up. Target fixation is nothing new and a term that was first coined during World War 2 pilot training. Most of the game is played in your head and, surprisingly, has much less to do with the physical realities of the situation than one might think.
The success of this simple phrase has been proven time and time again in the course of many years. It is as valid to a Project Manager as to a motorcycle racer and will positively shape your life if you care to implement it.
"Target acquired" ;-)
The rules of Play*** from a Digital Nomad's perspective
PlayGROUND
"The world's your oyster" - You can engage and make a difference from anywhere. Physical boundaries simply don't exist anymore. Your talent is what makes the difference, not where you apply it from. Technology is your friend so stop saying it and start using it for real, it's not just a buzzword but the "freedom" tool.
PlayTEAM
You collaborate with talented peers - forget the mundane, cut to the chase, boil everything down to its simplest element - value. Give it your best and expect the same in return. Foster and empower you team to accomplish the impossible. There are no boundaries to what you can achieve because you know your PlayGROUND!
PlayBOOK
Respectful, Transparent, Professional, Assertive, Caring, Understanding, Enabling - if you don't play by these rules, you don't belong to this PlayTEAM!
PlayFUL
You're operating on the front lines and spend your life dodging bullets but, when you're not, you can let your hair down a little and show your witty side. Connect on a human level, providing that you've read the PlayBOOK!
© 2019 mfazix Inc. All rights reserved.
Get in touch
I encourage you to contact me directly if you need more information about mfazix' services. I understand that your needs may be large or small but realize that they are always of utmost importance. I'm also a Digital Nomad, so location has little bearing on my activities. Nevertheless, I still have a home base in Montreal (QC) and can rapidly answer to your North American needs - no need to worry about timezones...
Let's take your Startup to the next level!
Credits: Many thanks to the Codrops team for the inspiration.
© 2019 mfazix Inc. All rights reserved.
Thinking Capital | Montreal, QC
Company Profile: Thinking Capital Financial Corp is the leader in the Canadian Online Lending space, leveraging technology to be at the forefront of the FinTech industry. The Company offers merchant cash advance and working capital finance to small and medium sized businesses located in Canada. Since 2006, Thinking Capital has helped more than 14,000 small-to-medium sized Canadian businesses reach their full potential. By combining their people and technology, Thinking Capital is transforming the way business owners get the capital they need to grow.
Implementation of a new Incident Management System
- Define, implement & assist in the launch of an Incident Management System (IMS) to handle operational issues on TC's production environments.
- Define incident management procedure and chain of responsibilities.
- Define and implement incident management workflow in an appropriate ticket management system.
- Define communication framework and artefacts (paging system, internal and external status page, email notifications and interactive collaboration channels).
- Contribute to the integration of the communication channels within TC's internal ticket management system and business processes.
- In this particular case, "JIRA Service Desk" was selected & implemented.
"BillMarket" Product Owner
- Help define & implement Thinking Capital's new "Billmarket" product, a new supplier financing system.
- Synchronize & collaborate with multiple internal teams, 3rd party partners & consulting firms.
SalesForce Data Migration
- Assist the SalesForce data migration teams in mapping the fields utilized in the various business environments using the canonical model.
- Synchronize activities between the architecture, technical & business stakeholders.
Project Management
- Management of multiple simultaneous projects & program initiatives.
- Management & guidance in key infrastructure projects fulfilled by internal teams & 3rd party partners.
- Guidance of internal Finance & Sales teams in identifying business requirements.
- Implementation & training of those teams in using new standardized processes & toolsets.
Lightspeed | Montreal, QC
Company Profile: Lightspeed POS Inc. is a private company that designs and develops point of sale systems and eCommerce platform for merchants and restaurants in Canada and internationally. It offers its solutions to manage inventory, customer preferences, sales, and analytics. The company provides Lightspeed Restaurant POS, a mobile POS that helps bars, restaurants, and cafés deliver a better customer experience and run a more profitable business; Lightspeed OnSite, a desktop and mobile POS that features inventory management, retail reporting, and an integrated eCommerce solution; and Lightspeed Web Store, an eCommerce platform that is designed for merchants who want to customize and run their online store. The company also provides POS hardware that include hardware bundle for restaurants, Wi-Fi backup and 4G backup add on, thermal, as well as kitchen-impact printers, accessories, card readers, iPad hardware kits, desktop hardware kits, label printers, cash drawers, Bluetooth and USB bar code scanners, and card swipes. Its products are available thorough sales agents. Lightspeed POS Inc. was formerly known as LightSpeed Retail Inc. and changed its name to Lightspeed POS Inc. in October 2014. The company was founded in 2005 and is based in Montreal (Canada) with offices in: Montreal, Ottawa, New York, Olympia, Silicon Valley, London, Ghent, Amsterdam and Frankfurt.
Open Source Software Management
- Review and update software dependencies for all Lightspeed software products (Retail, Onsite, eCommerce, hospitality).
- Validate and manage all data created in the Software Dependency Management system (SDM) database.
- Perform dependency analysis and update product dependencies in SDM system.
- Review Software Licensing Agreement compliance and provide guidance to the Legal team.
- Contribute in putting in place one single repository for software dependency libraries and components.
Autodesk | Montreal, QC
Company Profile: Autodesk, Inc., is a public company and a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software. Customers across the manufacturing, architecture, building, construction, and media & entertainment industries - including the last 19 Academy Award winners for Best Visual Effects - use Autodesk software to design, visualize, and simulate their ideas before they're ever built or created. From blockbuster visual effects and buildings that create their own energy to electric cars and the batteries that power them, the work of Autodesk's 3D software customers is everywhere you look.
Project & Program Management
Managing multiple complex projects from initiation through delivery, including: planning, project control, team management and problem resolution in order to ensure successful completion on schedule and within budget. Coordination of multi-functional teams, in a global setting, requiring to fulfill key corporate objectives. Expertise in navigating the organization to secure appropriate resources and remove barriers in order to deliver results. Lead teams of up to 200 developers and interfaced with multi-disciplinary teams: Product Managers, Product Marketing, Legal, Quality Assurance, Support, Project Managers, Executive team & 3rd party partners.
Highlights
- Overseing the lifecycle for all M&E 3D products
3ds Max/Design, Maya, MotionBuilder, Mudbox, Showcase & Softimage. - Autodesk Suites initiative
Consistently delivered 3ds Max/Design in a total of 18 Autodesk corporate Suite products as well as all other hero products in 6 M&E Creative Suites. - "Try & Buy" pilot program
Successfully fast tracked a special corporate initiative, enabling customers to buy software directly from trials, within a six week time span (one quarter of the time of other divisions). - Overseeing the lifecycle for the entire M&E 2D products
Inferno, Flame, Flint, Flare, Lustre & Smoke. - "Print on Demand"
Implemented a "just-in-time" documentation delivery framework, with key partners, reducing annual costs by 60%.
Product Management
Accountable for the business strategy and responsible for delivering revenue for all infrastructure products. Performed; market analysis, product planning, quantitative analysis and strategic planning. Driving increased profitability of existing products and return on new investments. Evangelist for the entire product line with an emphasis on new and emerging Storage and Networking technologies. Fostering strong partner relationships while leading teams through legal and logistical hurdles.
Highlights
- Increase Storage Revenue Stream
Fostering new partnership with key storage technology leader in order to reduce cost and increase revenue above $15 million/year (100% increase year-over-year) while improving on performance & quality.
Azcar | Toronto, ON
Company Profile: AZCAR Technologies Inc. is a public company that provides the broadcast and communications industries with systems design, integration, installation, project management and manufacturing services. It provides innovative digital media solutions and content delivery systems to a broad range of domestic and international broadcast and media industry customers.
System Design, Engineering & Project Management
Responsible for the design, implementation and deployment of broadcast television video, audio and control systems. Project management for a diverse set of high visibility customers; working with engineering colleagues on subsystems of large scale projects for major television networks, program content providers and studios.
Highlights
- Provided Lead Engineering functions for the consulting contract relating to SkyTV's Broadcast Centre Technology and Network Upgrade Projects. Sky Network Television Limited is New Zealand's leading Pay Television operator.
- Managed the implementation of multiple new HDTV audio/video control rooms and the integration of new wideband routing systems into Turner Studios' existing infrastructure.
- Annual Broadcast Engineering Excellence Award for Turner Studios' Upgrade to HDTV and Multi-Channel Sound - Atlanta (2005)
Leitch | Los Angeles, CA
Company Profile: Leitch Technology Corporation is a public company that designs, manufactures, and markets electronic equipment. The Company's products are used to distribute, process, and switch video and audio signals required by television broadcast facilities, telecommunications providers, and independent or post-production studios.
Project Engineering
Research & development of Storage Area Network (SAN) system architecture, integration, deployment and support. Management of technology partners and suppliers throughout the product life cycle. Establishment of technical agendas and architecture requirements. Performed; risk assessment, timeline management, improvement of manufacturing efficiency and reporting at the executive management level.
Highlights
- Worked as part of the Engineering team recipient of the:
2001 Emmy award for "Shared Video-Data Storage Technology"
Cyclops Solutions | Toronto, ON
Web Master, Graphic Design, Media Consultant
Founder of a media based company specializing in corporate identity development and branding. Covering online and print media streams. In charge of the research and development focusing on emerging trends and technologies.
Highlights
- Providing Rosco Canada's initial online presence. This engagement was so successful that it grew to include their logo redesign and to implement new global Web sites (USA, Australia, Brazil, Europe, Mexico & Spain).
CTV | Toronto, ON
Company Profile: CTV is a private company and is Canada's #1 private broadcaster. Featuring a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming, CTV has been Canada's most-watched television network for the past 12 years in a row. CTV is a division of Bell Media, Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio, digital, and Out-of-Home. Bell Media is owned by BCE Inc., Canada's largest communications company.
Broadcast Engineering
Responsible for the: design, installation, management, modification and troubleshooting of all broadcasting infrastructure elements. Systems specialist for broadcast audio, video & data integration and distribution.
Highlights
- Involved in the installation of CTV "Sportsnet" new "all digital" facilities.
- Recipient of the "President's Award" for exceptional contribution during the launch of "CTV News 1", a 24 hour news channel.
- Participated in the installation and support of CTV Television Network facilities, on location, at the various International Broadcast Centres for the: Olympic Winter Games in Lillehammer, Olympic Summer Games in Barcelona & Olympic Winter Games in Calgary.
CBC | Toronto, ON
Company Profile: The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation is a crown corporation and provides radio, television, and media services in Canada. It is one of the leading television and radio broadcasters serving the country with both English and French language programming. CBC Television and Télévision de Radio-Canada provides news, entertainment, drama, sports and public interest programs. While CBC generates revenue through advertising and subscription fees, the majority of its operating budget comes from public financing.
Broadcast Engineering
Responsible for the integration, maintenance and support of all broadcast production equipment and systems.