Karen Arvidsson

Management & Business: Senior and middle management Leadership, Change Management, Communication, Creativity & Innovation, Team Dynamics, Marketing, Public Relations, Business Operations, Budgeting, Strategic Foresight, Negotiation & Conflict Resolution, Counselling, Opportunity Assessments.
Human Resources: Recruitment, Retention, Policy Design, Succession Planning, Coaching & Mentoring, Learning & Development.
Entrepreneurship/Foresight: Business Design and Promotion, Coaching & Evaluation/ Analysis, Strategic Alliances and Visioning, Future Trends. I define potential in people and businesses.
Psychological/psychometric based accreditation (e.g. Emotional Intelligence, Myers Briggs Type Indicator, Team Management Systems, 16PF.)
Writing: Instructional design of programs, graphics, articles, reports and submission writer, supervision and editing of writers.
Other Soft skills – e.g. customer service, sales, communication, retail and people-interaction programs.

Employer:	Community Interaction
Position:	Work experience
Description:	Non-profit organizational support is provided through donations and design of initiatives to enhance career development and learning opportunities for young people and discounted service provision within the nonprofit sector. - Australian contact and promoter for Crreeaattiivviittyy aanndd IInnnnoovvaattiioonn Daayy,, a global, non-profit event. www.creatingchange.com.au/creativityandinnovation.php and www.creativityday.org - Global Youth Futures: Live Futures 2020 assistance in co-ordination and expansion of conference. - 2008 President of the Swinburne University Australian Graduate School of Entrepreneurship & Innovation Alumni Association (AGSE Alumni Association). www.agsealumni.org - Member of the Swinburne University Masters of Entrepreneurship & Innovation Curricula Consultation Group. www.swin.edu.au/agse - Instigating a global network of Alumni through liaison with Learning Organisations and Networks. - Provide Pro-Bono Coaching and Mentoring of young people in business through a non-profit organisation. - Fifth year of Business Awards Judging for the Greater Western Chamber of Commerce (GWCCI) Business Excellence Awards (six council’s amalgamated awards). www.gwcci.com.au - Selection Panel Member & Mentor for the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme, a Federal Government program for two Universities, Swinburne and VUT

Employer:	Karen Dempster & Assoc. Creating Change
Position:	Director/Consultant
Time period:	March 2003 - November 2008
Description:	I am running my own consulting service whilst completing M.Mgt Strategic Foresight (Futurist Studies). This, combined with studies of the M. Entrepreneurship & Innovation, form an integrated business improvement and HR/psychologically focused service delivery suite, with individuals collaborating in a consortium model in response to client needs. “Creating Change” is an independent provider of professional development through one-on-one or group sessions, elearning, or facilitating workshops that analyse your goals and future trends. We can provide a range of different services, as we are a consortium group of experienced consultants and ex-senior staff, freelancing. We offer leadership creativity, innovation, communications, PR, marketing, strategic leadership, team and stakeholder interventions. We design, facilitate and consult on organizational and personal behavioural issues. The “Creating Change” training options are available to be delivered in both workplace and public program formats. We add value through specialist services, tailored to the client company and each consultant-associate. Specific skills are: Strategic foresight (futurist work), management & business: e.g. senior and middle management Leadership, Change Management, Communication, Creativity & Innovation, Team Dynamics, Marketing, Public Relations, Business Operations, Budgeting, Strategic Foresight, Negotiation & Conflict Resolution. - Human Resources: Recruitment, Retention, Succession Planning, Coaching & Mentoring. - Entrepreneurship/Foresight: Business Design and Promotion, Analysis, Supply Chain assessment, Strategic Alliances and Visioning future trends. I define potential in people and businesses. - Psychological/psychometric based programs (e.g. Emotional Intelligence, Myers Briggs Type Indicator, Team Management Systems, 16PF.) - Accreditation based Instructional design supervision and review, working with subject matter experts for an Australian printed resource publisher to ensure compliance with national standards. - Other Soft skills – e.g. customer service, sales, communication, retail and people-interaction programs.

Employer:	Workplace Connect Ltd (Registered Training Organisation)
Position:	State Manager
Time period:	June 2002 - February 2003
Description:	Management, training, recruitment, allocation of trainers and service delivery. Main responsibilities included monitoring and directing the activities of a team of 15-20 Sessional and Full-time Trainers, delivering AQTF accredited courses, bidding for PETP and other funding streams, plus marketing the services of the company and overseeing contractual obligations/writing tenders.

Employer:	The Training Link Consultancy Business Development
Position:	Broker/Consultant Corporate Development Design and Analysis
Time period:	August 2001 - June 2002
Description:	After a second, brief maternity break, I took a role increasing new business and working as a Training Development Consultant, assessing and negotiating business needs in both SME and Major Corporations. Specifically I was involved in assessing stakeholder needs across business units, human resources departments, senior company personnel and liaising with consultants and designers to firstly assess potential options and solutions. I also assessed viability for some major projects regarding potentially accessing government funding opportunities for lower level staff alignment and development within program plans. This role included taking initial and ongoing briefs, guiding and identifying appropriate solutions, and presentation of these to multiple decision makers and strategic partners in the project, project planning and management. This naturally included sensitive and motivational follow up, feedback and guidance to both clients and consultants. Primary activities related to : - Management Skills, Leadership Training and Consultancy Services in diverse industries - Soft Skills Training, Teaming, Negotiation, Sales, HR etc - Change Management Consulting, TQM, Evaluations - Coaching and Mentoring - Risk Management & OH&S - Business Development and Strategic Planning

Employer:	Manpower Services
Position:	Business Unit Manager
Time period:	January 1999 - August 2001
Description:	Directly responsible for the profitable and appropriate operation of the business unit including: - Management of process/staff/policy - Recruitment of permanent and temporary staff for Industrial, Administrative and Technical roles - Complex Pricing and quoting, Award and EBA/AWA interpretation - Proposal Development/Tendering - Assessment and Quality Assurance Monitoring (ISO 9002) and responsibility for retention of accreditation and documentation - Sales, Marketing and Strategic Planning relevant to economic trends in industry.

Employer:	Employment National
Position:	Business Centre Manager (Multi-Site)
Time period:	January 1998 - January 1999
Description:	Increased productivity, doubling activity within six months of commencing. Revenue was anticipated to reach 180% over annual budget. Designed a marketing plan increasing vacancy capture, and had responsibility for the recruiting of client requirements, management of consultants and managing accounts not only at these sites but also major national clients of the Company. Project work: I was seconded to assess, bid for, devise and manage staffing, human resource assistance (technical guidance), change and training initiatives. These included outplacement services, various development initiatives and permanent placements at a fee for service. I was the Victorian delegate in Fee for Service national consultations. Our site developed a hard and soft skills training course for a major employer/client and gained the company substantial business within the Sydney Olympics, Australian Open, Spring Racing Carnival, Melbourne Show, and at major venues throughout Melbourne. Other: Training and staff development internally. Development of internal and external training programs in accredited and non-accredited competencies. Developed coaching, leadership, communication, career planning and team development initiatives.

Employer:	West care
Position:	Salvation Army Employment Plus Multi-Site Manager
Time period:	April 1995 - December 1997
Description:	Responsible for the implementation and profitable management of employment services within a newly launched Government initiative. My business unit was initially a Youth Specialist, and in the second round of tenders added Generalist activities based on my own tender submission. Duties included supervision and management of ten staff, business planning, marketing and advertising, policy development and procedure design, training design, delivery and selection for client groups, client/business development, staff training development and implementation, supervision, budgeting and associated tasks within a changing environment.

Employer:	Federal Government
Position:	Department of Social Security, Supervisor Mobile Review Team Fraud Unit, (Internal & External)
Time period:	December 1991 - April 1995
Description:	Supervisor, involved in prioritising workloads, planning, training/development and acting as the decision maker in assessments. Commenced as a Fraud Investigator with the Department undertaking interviews in client homes with regard to correct payment rates and client work efforts. Clients were referred to service providers and advised of appropriate opportunities for employment activities (e.g. Job Clubs, NEIS etc.) Interpretation of Legislation and Public Service Guidelines, and ensuring staff compliance. Writing of Prosecution Submissions, and liaison with Dept. Public Prosecutions. During this period I was also trained within, and seconded to Interviewing Selection panels, Equal Employment Opportunity support as a Contact Officer, and as a Sexual Harrassment Contact Officer.

Employer:	Elite Business Services
Position:	Manager, Marketing/Consulting
Time period:	December 1988 - November 1991
Description:	Management of the above business, with two sites. Instigated a business services section and undertook all marketing activities, including cold calling, telemarketing, writing and design of promotional literature, development of training service line. Simultaneously: Staff Finder Australia, Marketer/Personnel Consultant Marketing for this boutique, merchant banking specialist in the Melbourne CBD to gain permanent and temporary vacancies in the corporate, administrative and management markets.

Employer:	Freelance
Position:	Freelance Consultant
Time period:	December 1987 - November 2000
Description:	- Designed, marketed and provided a series of seminar sessions to educational institutions. Short term contract roles delivering certificate level courses and operational/IT skills. Marketing and Public Relations advice to SME sector. - Within the Job Network, designed and provided a range of customized courses for jobseekers and internal staff professional development needs. Designed and delivered national outplacement programs and special project initiatives. - Contracted by Riverina Murray Institute of Advanced Education. Provision of funded courses in Word Processing, Job Canvassing and Office Skills. Course durations were three month blocks with 12 participants approximately, running 3 times per annum.

Articles:	Various articles in newsletters regarding business & leadership, creativity, employee engagement, generational interactions, multi-cultural integration, and write regular monthly articles for a human resources firm in Australia. I also edit the AGSE Alumni Association monthly newsletter.
Papers:	Redress: The Association of Women Educators. Presentation & Referenced Paper: Women, Leadership & Communication.
Books:	In progress - one on a blend of psychological leadership, business functioning and future market potentials.

Sports:	I beg your pardon? What are "s p o r t s" ??? As a student/ business person/ mother/ woman of the world / Alumni Association president / volunteer mentor/ business coach - I just run up and down the back stairs a few times each day and surviving that is counted as a home run...
Hobbies:	Hmmmmm. Reading. Sleeping. Having Ideas. Having different Ideas. Web Surfing and reading multiple views and events...
Clubs:	AGSE Alumni Association (of course).
Memberships:	AITD (Aust Institute of Training & Development), AHRI (Aust HR Institute), GWCCI (Greater Western Chamber of Commerce & Industry), Zillions of business networks.