Motivating Your Employees

Carl Spies - Bio

 

CarlSpies- Social Business Facilitator

"There's no such thing as a social media strategy, only a good business strategy that is aware of networks"

 

 

Carl Spies is seasoned social business strategist, a complex multidisciplinary approach emerging from social online networks that seek to help leading brands extract real value from social media/network trends and technologies to engage customers beyond the corporate firewall, and mine social capital behind it.

 

He has spent the last six years establishing himself as a thought leader in systems thinking and social business design while working with clients ranging from Standard Bank, Vodacom and South African Breweries to eBucks, Microsoft and Samsung.

 

Carl is recognised as an accomplished provocative facilitator and technical consultant having advised many organisations in South and West Africa, coordinated top-level community events and addressed national and international groups on a wide range of critical social business topics. He is well a seasoned design thinker with broad insights at the intersections of social science, online community development and value innovation using proven network effects.

 

 

 

1. Experience

 

Relevant Social Network Projects Carl has lead:

(platforms: intranets, ideation (crowdsourcing) systems, LMS, branded communities)

ABSA - A shared services strategy network which refined and cascaded department strategies online.

FNB - Learner management system for the Institute of Extreme Customer Service.

Hollard Insurance - Hollardtopia - Social Intranet

Kelly Personnel - Social Intranet

Microsoft - Ideation Platform to crowd-source ideas from the community.

RMB - Internal platform to query and collaborate on scaling the internal culture after rapid expansion.

SAB - Learning collaboration platform.

Standard Bank - Blue Connection - the core social intranet (including gaming elements to increase adoption).

Telesure - Let's Connect pilots platforms.

(and external social community platforms for :Converse, Toyota, eBucks and Samsung)

 

Vendors:

Social Software: Acquia Commons (Drupal)

Microcontent: SocialCast, Twitter, Yammer

Social Networks: Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, SocialText

Media: Flickr, Youtube, Last.fm, GetGlue

LocationPlatforms: Foursquare

 

 

 

2. Knowledge and Skills

 

Relevant Models he is trained in:

SCRUM: Agile Product Development + Project Management

Cognitive Edge: Complex Adaptive Social Systems - Sensemaking using Cynefin.

User Experience Design - Flow Interactive.

NeuroSematnics - linguistic and cognitive models of user experience.

LAB - language and behaviour profiling (to develop archetypes from the network members).

VizThink - Dave GrayCynefin - Dave Snowden - Complex Adaptive Systems - Sensemaking

Biomatrix - Organisational Change using network effects and systems-thinking.

StrateX - designing execution strategies and developing channels to cascade them throughout the workforce.

Spiral Economics - a model based on the Claire Graves research - exploring the dynamics of value creation from individuals to the entire stakeholder ecosystem.

 

Training Courses Developed:

IXCS 3 Day Intensive - WesBank - Customer Service

A 3 Day MBA in Social Business (for Terrapin) - covering B2B, B2C social network concepts and tools.

 

 

 

3. Services Offered

 

Rapid Prototyping of Social Networks - with rapid feedback and agile metrics.

Workscapes - performance support social networks (incorporating informal learning)

User Experience Mapping - Designing network elements to fit staff profiles.

Lunch 'n Learn Sessions - from frontline to C-suite level audiences - succint explorations of current social business elements e.g. #SoMoLo

Intrapreneur Sessions - designed to build capacity with internal teams to rapidly identify, design and test social network initiatives.

 

 

Recommendation

 

Mari Eagar hired Carl as a Social Collaboration Strategy Consultant in 2010/11:

 

"Carl Spies combines strategic thinking with design thinking to create a unique approach in social business design. He implements strategic initiatives using a people centric and collaborative approach, which ensures successful change in people’s behavior to support the implementation thereof. Carl’s work is based on deep research of theory as well as significant experience in social technologies, therefore making his solutions robust, credible and implementable.

 

An example of his strategic contributions and social design thinking skills can be seen with the openaxyz method and toolset where Carl contributed to the original conceptual design which was focused on the application of design thinking in the strategy domain. He also visualised and developed architecture foundations in openaxyz such as the social group module and the visualisation features, making the product unique in the market place. He is able to move other people’s ideas into unique, differentiating insights and innovation."

-Mari Eagar CA - M Phil Leadership (cum laude) and Member of the Canada-Southern Africa Chamber of Business.

 

Kerrin is the Operations and HR Director. She has a BA (HDip) Ed from Wits University with majors in English and Psychology and has experience teaching English at high school level and extensive experience training and teaching in general. Kerrin oversees the HR portfolio at Leading Edge. She loves dealing with people and the general well being of the staff and delegates is her primary concern. She also facilitates soft-skills courses in HR, leadership and training.  She is a qualified SDF (Skills Development Facilitator), having completed the UNISA Certificate in Skills Development Facilitation in 2015 with distinction, and consults to businesses regarding their SDF requirements. She is registered as an HR generalist with the SA Board for People Practices (membership no. 10791). She, together with a team of professional facilitators, project manages customised training solutions for Leading Edge clients from training material development to high-impact facilitated interventions that result in organisational change and leadership growth. She is accredited as a Level 1 Cultural Intelligence Facilitator with The Cultural Intelligence Center.  

Lawrence is a training instructor at Leading Edge Business Solutions (formerly Intoweb Academy)
since April 2008, and has been a technical instructor since 2004. Lawrence combines technical
knowledge with good communications skills, and consistently receives enthusiastic reviews from his
students. Lawrence has trained in all 9 provinces of South Africa as well as in The DRC and Swaziland.

Operating Systems and Application Software
Windows 95 –Windows 7, Office 97/2000/XP/2003/2007/2010
Linux
Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, Project, Visio
Open /Libre Office Writer, Calc, Impress, Base
Thunderbird
Google Apps
Gimp, Scribus
Wordpress and Joomla Content management systems
Soft skill/ Business Skills
Selling, Presentation, Communication, Time Management, Anger Management.

Certified
Certified Technical Trainer Exam
N5 Electrical Engineering
Installation Liaison Officer (Telecommunication)
Microsoft Office Specialist, Word, Excel, PowerPoint
ICDL
Network+
I-Net+
Hardware and Networking from City & Guilds of London
IC3

 

My purpose is to “Inspire, Activate, Develop and RELEASE the Godgiven
potential in others (especially leaders). I accomplish this through the 3CTM processCoaching,
Consulting,Counseling, Training and Mentoring.

My current involvement:
External Consultant at Leading Edge Business Solutions (A premiere training and consulting
company ( www.leadingtraining.co.za )
Director at Leaders in transformation (an NPO focussed on developing emerging,
undergraduate leaders at tertiary institutions www.leadtransform.org )

What I bring to the table:
Vast experience in the health sector (>10 years experience in Clinical Medicine), business
strategy, management and leadership (Director in a Consulting firm), Spiritual and social
development (Managing director of a faith based NGO in Namibia).

Key offering:
Using the 3CTM process I assist leaders in spiritual, personal and professional development
using a neuropathophysiological (how the brain works) and self discovery approach to effect
deep personal transformation toward self actualization.
● Certified Cultural Intelligence Facilitator and Trainer with the Cultural Intelligence
Institute ( www.CulturalQ.com )
● Certified transformational leadership Coach (via www.TLiGlobal.com )
● Motivational Speaker (via Dale Carnegie Institute)
● Executive leadership enhancement Trainer (via John Maxwell facilitator training).
● Organisational development and strategy Consultant (via miniMBA
course and practical experience)
● Team leadership development Facilitator (strengthsFinder process)

Practical Leadership Training Experience
1. I trained as a Leadership trainer and facilitator with Lead Africa. The Leadership training
was based on the 21 irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C Maxwell. The target audience
was young entrepreneurs and emerging leaders. www.leadafrica.co.za
2. Dr. Solomons also successfully completed the Dale Carnegie Course on Public Speaking
and People Empowerment.
3. I cofacilitated Transformational Leadership training for the Edenvale Municipality Top
Management Structure as a Consultant with Siyavuma Systems.
http://www.simunyeinstitute.org/whoPages/practiceNetw.html
4. I conducted several Leadership training and facilitation for Namibian Business
Entrepreneurs.
5. Transformational Leadership training and facilitation for the University of Namibia (UNAM)
for the Top Management of the Multidisciplinary Research Centre.
http://www.unam.na/centres/mrc/mrc_index.html
6. Transformational Leadership training and Consultant for the African Leadership Institute
(ALI). www.thenamibiandream.com
7. I also trained as a Transformational Leadership Growth Coach with the Transformational
Leadership Institute www.TLiglobal.
com

Practical Leadership Experience:
1) Director, Opus Dei Pty Ltd 20032005.
Responsibilities included Financial Management,
Human Resource Management and Project Management. Strategic planning and Project
Management for the CSI offering of the company. Opus Dei successfully merged with Ashira
Legal Advisors in 2005 www.ashira.co.za
2) Managing Director Sororomele (Section 21) geared towards Managing CSI projects and
training programs 20042006.
With Overall Leadership and Strategic responsibility.
Sororomele was successfully handed over to new leadership in February 2006.
3) Board Member of Community Aids Response (CARE) 20042005.
Helping with Strategic
Direction for the Organization as well as Risk Management. www.care.co.za
4) Managing Director of His People Ministries Namibia a Faithbased
Welfare Organization
2006-2011 (May). Overall Leadership and Strategic responsibilities and Organization and
Leadership Development of Emerging Namibian Leaders. During his tenure the organization
grew from 98 members and 3 staff members to over 500 members and a staff complement of
20 people. HPM Namibia was successfully handed over to Namibian leaders at the end of
May 2011. www.hispeoplenam.com
5) Board Member of the Namibian Evangelical Seminary (NETS) 20092011.
Responsibilities
included advising on governance policies and Strategic input and Risk management for the
School. www.nets.edu.na
6) Board Member and Lecturer of the African Leadership Institute (ALI) 20082011.
Responsibilities included training and facilitation, mentoring and Strategic input.
www.thenamibiandream.com
7) Independent consultant for leadership, organisational development and strategic planning
for businesses and nonprofit
entities
9) Dr.Solomons uses the neuropathophysiology model for selfdiscovery
and self actualization
to train and facilitate leadership development in:
● Spiritual enhancement: Practicing
effective spiritual disciplines and developing
Spiritual quotient (SQ) and Leading from WHO you are (with Selfawareness
and
Strength Finder coaching). How to build selfesteem
and assertiveness.
● Personal enhancement: State
management includingLife
coaching, life/ energy
management, time management, personal financial management, interpersonal
relational management and empathic (EQ) and cross cultural communication skills. I
also offer training in Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and Decision Making Skills. As
well as physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health (Anger and Stress
Management Skills)
● Professional enhancement: Dealing
with Change and Negotiation Skills and winning
with others and how to develop a high performance teams for organisational growth
What previous clients have to say:
ABI Following Negotiating with Results with Serge Solomons:
Leading Edge is QA’s new ‘quality’ partner for soft skills training solutions.
Delegate feedback was incredibly positive, the ‘Program Content’, ‘Learning Solutions’ and
‘Facilitator
Evaluation’ components clearly met delegate expectations and the training outcomes were all
met.
Program Content: 4.8/5 = 96%
Facilitator Evaluation: 4.9/5 = 98% Overall Program Evaluation: 4.9/5 = 98%
Other Recent students from the following Leading Edge Clients have said:
Retecon: This is a very professional institution and welltrained
staff. Thanks to all of you for a
good course, good food and a lot of food for thought.
CSIR: The lectures are professionals and know their stuff. Thanks
Standard Bank: Leading Edge is very prestigious. The environment and setting provides a
professional and good environment to learn in. Real training.
CSIR: I liked the friendliness of the staff, and the individual attention from the lecturer .
Selectech: Enjoyed the uptodate
knowledge, informality of the environment and content of
course.
Johncom Media Investments: Very comfortable facilities. Excellent trainer Tracker: The
Lecturer, Staff and learning environment was excellent!