About TJ MacDONALD (John to friends): I've heard that during the first year of their extremely long apprenticeships, Japanese chefs sole task is to learn to boil rice. Sounds a short version of my apprenticeship. But first a little personal info.
I live a modestly comfortable life on the coast with my wonderful wife, her Siberian Forest Cat and my 12 y.o. cross-breed dog who still thinks he's a pup. Fortunately I get to spend a lot of time with them (and the grown-up kids when they come to visit) as most of my commuting is done 'virtually'.
My professional life is a little more complex - though equally as enjoyable.
'Cooking up' what I do has been the result of a lifelong apprenticeship with my 'rice boiling' represented by numerous, seemingly diverse careers. I now feel really blessed that all parts of me have come together on the same team.
Technically an e-Learning Architect (or webucation architect as some prefer), I am part Internet professional and part Learning and Development specialist. Yes I love my technology. Yes I love helping people learn. And I also love marketing (in the form of 'the process of creating value').
During a 'middle' career in technical consulting, sales and marketing I learned the power of market education as a business development strategy - particularly in professional markets that hate 'being sold'.
I also learned I loved training and helping other people learn, so ‘went back to school’ to be able to pursue this role professionally.
Later, as a Training Consultant, then State Manager of a large private training company I was lucky to be part of their transformation from traditional training provider into a major e-Learning company.
With most of the focus being on big-budget corporate accounts I quickly realized there was a lot smaller businesses were missing out on. Some of my research was in the use of online technologies by SME’s for both educational and commercial purposes (my business background resurfacing). I discovered that e-learning and e-commerce - including many aspects of marketing - are closely intertwined. Recognising the broader implications for business strategy, it worried me that most smaller businesses were not even aware of the opportunities and threats that are emerging and need help if they are to participate effectively in this new arena.
I now advise entrepreneurial business operators on marketplace learning strategies for business development.
I also create, host and manage online learning and information distribution services for business people who lack the expertise, technology or time to undertake this themselves.
It seems life is never static. I am now being pressured to provide training and coaching for people who do want to do this for themselves. They say 'be careful what you wish for' but I shouldn't complain. After all, I did say I love helping people learn.
And it was flattering to hear a colleague describe me as "the world's first Market Education Strategist to champion the rights of small and medium business enterprises to enjoy online learning and information communication technologies that large organizations now take for granted."
Oh, one last thing definitely can't take for granted... in large part my own learning owes a lot to good stuff found in... BOOKS ;-)
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