THE SITUATION:

This well-established training firm had an excellent reputation for providing high quality technical courses in the fiber optic disciplines around the globe. Their courses addressed everything from basic hands-on skills to customized courses for fiber optic manufacturers and Fortune 500 companies involved in highly evolved technologies. The firm had grown to a point where it made economic sense to centralize production of their training materials.

I was hired as Media Group Manager to create, staff and equip this production department in two months. The department would oversee all editing of the current instructional manuals and PowerPoint presentations used in the live classroom settings, as well as upgrade the existing series of video tapes used to enhance the hands-on training. The department would also produce customized video tapes for specific clients.

In addition, the newly formed Media Group would manage the website, develop a new line of interactive multimedia computer-based-training modules, produce marketing materials and develop new products utilizing the company's intellectual assets.

THE SOLUTION:

• To address the immediate need to maintain the revision schedule for several manuals and accompanying PowerPoint presentations, I assessed the current staff, resources, quality control and fulfillment issues and implemented an immediate staff and equipment upgrade.
• Next I collaborated with senior management and directors from the marketing, training and distribution departments to determine mid and long-term production goals, schedules and the resources needed to meet them.
• Developed time lines and budgets for multiple projects.
• Hired and fired staff.
• Procured equipment and software.

Day-to-day operations

• Supervised a hand-picked creative team and contracted specialists as needed.
• Designed and implemented a tracking system to manage project production, and billable and non-billable man-hours. Established quality control benchmarks.
• Worked with SMEs and production staff to create new products, edited manuals, videos and massive PowerPoint files.
• Developed staff incentives of pizza, M&Ms, brownies and turning the music up REALLY loud.

Special project: Rebuilt 120-page E-Commerce Website in two months.

• Conducted a usability study. Revealed the current website and ISP as inadequate to handle secured on-line transactions, accommodate a (future) SQL database or manage e-broadcasts of any scope.
• Determined that the Internet presence did not reflect The Light Brigade's corporate image, reputation or its notable standing in the fiber optic industry.
• Assessed the current website as unsupportable, gained permission to start over.
• In collaboration with senior management and department directors, determined four key objectives for new site: (1) present a redefined company image and USP and reposition the firm in the market place;(2) establish a user-friendly secured transaction and e-broadcast capability;(3) build an infrastructure to accommodate growth; (4) Leverage site for better sales and sales support.
• Hired a designer/architect and oversaw design and construction of the site. Included user-friendly navigation and on-line ordering process to better leverage the website for more sales.
• Collaborated with marketing director to establish USP and appropriate imagery for firm. 
• Wrote new content for courses and oversaw creation of new images.
• Researched/supervised host switch for secured transaction and e-broadcast capabilities.

Special Project: Establish a Photograph and Video Stock Library

• Organized the archives of existing still photographs and video clips.
• Devised a filename nomenclature.
• Researched copyright, pricing and licensing and developed a price guide and ordering system.
• Wrote, designed and produced an interactive multimedia CD to promote The Media Library as a new product to the fiber optic industry.

Special project: Development of interactive multimedia and computer-based-training products

• Wrote and produced interactive multimedia marketing CD to promote entire range of training courses available to fiber optic industry professionals.
• Wrote and produced interactive multimedia computer-based-training (CBT) DVD to illustrate potential and critical design factors of last-mile PON technology.
• Wrote and produced interactive multimedia marketing CD to promote The Media Library stock photo and video library to fiber optic industry professionals and their marketing departments.

THE RESULT:

• The department was staffed, equipped and systematized within the two-month window.
• The first production cycle for updating, printing and shipping the training manuals to instructors across the country was completed on schedule.
• Within four months a new website was up and running. Client feedback was very positive and the firm saw an increase in on-line and sales of multiple courses. Development of SQL database for product catalogue began.
• By month seven the department had produced its first interactive marketing CD to promote the company and its training courses at an international fiber optic trade show.
• Last nine months also saw switch of video production service provider and shooting schedule to provide footage to upgrade several video tapes, including a trip to a core optical glass factory in the UK.
• Last nine months saw development of The Media Library and a second marketing CD to promote it.
• And finally, last nine months saw design and production of the first CBT DVD.

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