RESUME OF PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Allen Yale Harris, MBA
P.O. Box 4673
Valley Village, CA 91617
(818) 407-2034

EDUCATION:

GENERAL:

• Excellent communicator (written and verbal) as Public Speaker and Writer - writing for a mass market as well as technical software user manuals.
• Strong project planning skills. Able to keep project goals in sight - finishing on time and under budget.
• Excellent computer skills, as Trainer, Consultant and User. Easily grasp new software, determine simplest methods for using it -- then effectively instruct others (directly and through personally developed training aids).
• As Graphics Artist/Designer have pleased clients through rapid delivery of Catalogs, Flyers (fancy and simple), Resumes, Diplomas - from inception through final printing. Have created complex technical drawings and simple maps, labels, and more. Rapid learner, as needed, on Graphics software.
• Very confident public speaker. Original thoughts have moved audiences to action. Certified as CTM by Toastmasters International.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills - both as Systems Analyst and as Business Consultant - able to quickly determine the real needs in complex business situations - then take the most appropriate action to meet those needs.

SOFTWARE EXPERTISE:

• WINDOWS Applications:

  MS WORD, WORD PERFECT, AMI PRO, PAGEMAKER, EXCEL, COREL DRAW, CRYSTAL REPORTS, HELP MAGICIAN, GUIDE, GUIDE AUTHOR (an HTML), VISUAL BASIC; currently studying C and increasing my skills in BASIC: (VISUAL, BUSINESS), etc.
  
  

• MACINTOSH Applications:

  SYSTEM 7.5, MS WORD, MACWRITE, EXCEL, LOTUS 1-2-3, PAGEMAKER, CANVAS, SUPERPAINT, STREAMLINE, MACDRAW. Capable in FREEHAND, ILLUSTRATOR, Photoshop, Quark Express and many other programs. Competent programmer in HyperScript (for HyperCard).

Software Factotum
April to November 1995
Sunrise Marketing
Los Angeles, CA

Technical Writer/Graphic Designer, Computer Trainer - 1981 to 1995 - 1981 to 1995
Marketed and provided after-sale expertise in technical writing and editing - cutting complex terminology and replacing it with layman-style/user friendly language. Work fast and accurately - finishing projects on-time and under budget. Provided On-Line Help Systems - truly focused on delivering significant (and HELPful) information to the consumer.

As a general management consultant, provided guidance to clients, increasing profits, minimizing overhead. As computer consultant, trained business owners and staff, as well as creative writers, in the most effective and enjoyable use of personal computers, taught better (faster and simpler) ways to use existing software, discovered more efficient ways to utilize their personal computers. Established business systems, recommended new hardware and software. In the Graphic Design and Printing realm, edited, proofread, typeset, printed and bound (as a broker) catalogs, flyers, and Instruction Manuals for many clients - including professional printers.

MOST RECENT PROJECTS were complete edit of software user manual followed by total rewrite of that manual plus creation of on-line Help system. Product was a file-synchronization program, PowerSync. Success of project is evidenced by letter of appreciation from Frank Reinhart, President of the client company, LinkPro. AND multi-media project--Diamond Dictionary--which included complete original production of on-line Help, completion of thousands of hyper-text links, scripting, and trouble-shooting of project.

Sales Trainer/Management Consultant
Developed, marketed, and presented sales/communication training seminars to various companies, including North American Rockwell; Lockheed-California, Co.; Litton Systems, Data Systems Div.; Banner Printing, ON TV, and Times-Mirror Cable TV. Training efforts resulted in increased sales, improved interpersonal relationships, plus less inter-departmental friction.
(Sales increases up to 419% reported. One previously weak sales performer now a national sales leader in her field.)
Consulted to retail, service, financial, and aerospace industries (partial list above).

University of Southern California
School of Business Administration
Los Angeles, CA
Part-time Lecturer - 1981 and 1991
For one semester each year taught Communications in the School of Business Administration - until school funding ran out. Particularly successful in teaching students to become competent public speakers - even those initially terrified.

California State University - Northridge
School of Business Administration
Northridge, CA
Part-time Lecturer - 1991
Taught Communications in the School of Business Administration, for one semester only - then funding, again, ran out.

Pathfinder, ComputerLand, and Blue Chip Computer Systems
Encino and Van Nuys, CA
Sales Representative, Assistant Store Manager, & Sales Manager - '82 - '85
(These assignments undertaken to gain computer industry experience - and credibility. as consultant/trainer)
Recruited, hired and trained outside sales force; developed management tools and training program (to train sales representatives and customers, as appropriate) covering PC's, selling and communications. Computer experience gained through these engagements used for further instruction assignments.

Home Life Insurance Company of N.Y.
Pasadena, CA
Field Underwriter - 1971 to 1976 Developed and implemented sales approaches to individual and group clients, and for mass marketing in the fields of life and health insurance. Named to the Million Dollar Round Table in 1975.

Past Employment:

PUBLICATIONS:

PUBLIC SPEAKING APPEARANCES: