John Lyotier

Product Planning Manager, Pearson School Systems (formerly Chancery Software), 7/2004 – 9/2006 August 31, 2006

Chancery Software is a leading provider enterprise software (Student Information Systems) to school districts across North America.

• As a member of the Product Management team, I led the adoption of Accept 360, an enterprise product planning application that allows software release planning to occur based on market drivers and strategic needs rather than on reactive demands.
• In this role, I also took the lead role in responding to RFPs, working closely with partners to ensure that the proposed solution sold the benefits of an enterprise solution to uniquely meet the needs of the customer.
• Further responsibility included liaising between Product Management and Requirements Engineering, ensuring that developed features meet customer needs and market requirements.
• Process planning and strategic thinking were critical to my success at Chancery.
• I also held the position of Market Requirements Manager within the organization

Manager, Marketing & Communications, Imagis Technologies Inc. (now Visiphor), 5/2002 – 7/2004 August 31, 2006

Imagis is a provider of XML-based data integration middleware technology along with advanced facial and image recognition software. Sales are global in nature and predominantly focused on enterprise-level customers and government agencies.

• While at Imagis, I managed the marketing and communications efforts for the company. This included managing tradeshows, market research, creative development, product roadmaps and strategic direction, partner recruitment, Web development, Web marketing, lead generation, and lead qualification.
• I was also extensively involved in product management through the creation of strategic vision documents and first-level product iterations.
• Other responsibilities included sales support through RFI/RFP response creation, management of external creative, product pricing, and first-line investor and public relations activities.

President & Founder, Stepcast Interactive Inc., 9/1999 – 6/2002 August 31, 2006

Stepcast is a Web-based provider of universal wish list and gift registry functionality for small- to mid-size online retailers. Stepcast’s objective was to provide retailers with technology to enhance consumer loyalty while capitalizing on “expressed consumer interest”.

• From idea to execution, I provided the underlying concepts, strategic direction, and vision for this paradigm-shifting Internet venture
• Directed a cross-functional team to bring a prototype product to market on limited resources
• Managed all marketing and corporate communications activities, including an aggressive public relations and awareness campaign
• Raised venture capital to fund day-to-day operations during product commercialization
• Pursued and managed all strategic relationships and business development initiatives, including partnerships with e-commerce service providers and retail community
• Represented the company at industry tradeshows and networking events
• Stepcast’s business plan, which I authored, won three-out-of-four awards in an Industry Canada-sponsored competition (Best E-commerce, Most Innovative, and Best Overall)

Freelance Consultant, Lyotier Consulting Services, 7/1999 – Present August 31, 2006

I have provided freelance marketing, business planning, writing, public relations, Web strategy consulting and ideation services to a wide variety of Lower Mainland companies, including: Time Search Inc., Urban Presentations Inc., Concord Business Development; ThoughtShare Communications, Mercury 604,  SpiderSoftware, Canadian Liver Foundation, and the Avani Water Corporation.

Principal consulting activities centered around the application of marketing concepts to attract and retain customers, strengthen customer loyalty, and identify ‘Blue Ocean’ opportunities.

Marketing Communications Manager, Multiactive Software (now Maximizer Software), 3/1999 – 7/2000 August 31, 2006

Multiactive Software is an award-winning developer of e-business and customer relationship management software

• Generated market awareness through both public and investor relations activities
• Helped secure $10 million in funding through the writing of company prospectus
• Created key marketing concepts and product positioning of Entice!, leading directly to the winning of PCWEEK’s Best of COMDEX/Fall ‘99 award
• Managed market positioning and branding of all product lines, and supervised marketing campaigns to drive sales and revenue
• Managed both internal and external creative teams throughout my tenure
• Created print, multimedia, radio, direct mail, online marketing and corporate collateral

Marketing Administrator, Prologic (Now Fincentric), 12/1997 – 3/1999 August 31, 2006

Prologic is a leading international developer of retail and Internet banking software

• Managed third-party relationships of complementary vendors
• Coordinated and wrote a business plan and market analysis documents as part of securing private financing
• Assisted marketing and development teams in creating a “market-driven” product
• Managed the development and launch of corporate Intranet
• Directed freelance design and copy teams in collateral creation
• Managed market research and summer students

Coordinator of Co-operative Education, International Language Schools of Canada, 6/1996 – 12/1997 August 31, 2006

ILSC is Vancouver’s largest, private English language institution

• Developed marketing strategy and collateral for co-operative training program
• Managed relationships with local businesses and international agencies
• Implemented of software system to manage students and business community

Perishables Supervisor, Westfair Foods (now Loblaws), 8/1995 – 5/1996 August 31, 2006

Westfair Foods is a wholesale distributor of frozen, perishable and dry goods

• Managed a staff of over 100 unionized employees
• Responsible for all recruitment, training, scheduling, and discipline
• Coordinated shipping and receiving of time-sensitive products
• Directed crisis-management and response team