Andrew Smith: Facilitator, business coach and developer of the Accelerated Planning Technique™ system
Here is some additional background information on me.
I see myself as an ‘ideas-engineer’, but I'm also problem-solver, strategist and planning specialist.
Some 15 years ago, I recognised the need for a simpler and more effective method to plan for results. In my opinion business plans should be an active 'living' thing that makes you (or your team) more capable. To cut a long story short, with some inspiration and assistance from the NASA organization, I developed a system called Accelerated Planning Technique, or APT for short.
I teach people this simple planning method so they can think clearly and act effectively -- in a wide range of business and related applications. I also coach and facilitate planning sessions. This facilitation and coaching service is for individuals and organizations when results are required quickly or the issues are clouded or complex.
I have also developed a team planning version of APT. This process encourages whole group participation in the planning process. It can even make it fun.
My skills are in the following two areas:
(1) Business Development:
Teaching people how to prepare practical plans that really work. And how to do it simpler, faster and more creatively. I also work with individuals and teams and facilitates their strategic and business operation plans. My simple-to-understand method empowers businesses and organizations to effectively manage change and achieve strategic goals.
(2) Translating ideas and concepts into practical action steps::
Teaching people or facilitating the process so people can simply and quickly translate conceptual ideas and concepts into a practical action plans.
I have a very practical approach for planning and achieving results. I calls it the K-I-S-S-S approach (keep it short, simple and strategic. My passion is making the complex simple. My APT planning system gets people thinking and planning with visual images. Since we do much of our thinking in pictures, everyone understands the process.
My APT method allows ordinary people to understand and successfully manage complex situations. When people understand, common sense prevails. People begin to be more intuitive and more creative. This is also an environment in which lateral thinking occurs and innovative solutions are formulated.
I started my first New Zealand business when I was twenty-three, and have established and operated a number of successful businesses in manufacturing, electronics, training, investments and retailing. I've also started a couple of businesses that were 'less than successful'. So my career has consisted of both winning and learning.
In the mid-80’s, my career moved to the information technology industry. I held positions in major-account marketing, systems design, and project-management. My career includes six years in the UK and North America designing strategic systems for some of the world’s largest retail companies.
Since 1985 I have been heavily involved in the research program that transformed a powerful NASA process into the "user-friendly" Accelerated Planning Technique™. I believe my business skills, project-management background and understanding of human potential make me highly qualified to direct this programme.
I now have an extensive, varied and very interesting client-base. These clients range from small businesses to large corporate organizations. My commercial customers now represent 127 industry types. Around 20% of my work is involved with education, government and non-profit service organizations. I also enjoy working with Maori and Pacific Island community project groups. Their imagination and my implementation systems make a powerful combination.