PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
AND SKILLS
Below are several examples of projects Nick has developed, implemented or are in the implementation phase.
ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Learning Together explores findings from interviews, a depth of learning assessment, meeting observations, supplemental questionnaires, literary review and an extensive evaluation of six case studies from organisations that have established learning culture behaviours along with others that have failed. From this analysis, barriers and enablers were identified to inform the analysis throughout the report. The subsequent recommendations were used to accelerate a comprehensive training and leadership development plan for the Oregon Department of Human Services.
My admiration for the passion Nicholas brings to this topic and the ever-growing breadth of this knowledge and insights into the relationship between training, leadership and organizational outcomes.
Don Erickson, Chief Administrative Officer, Office of the Director Department of Human Services
Click the image to view: Kern 2021
Learning Together exceeded my expectations and provided the data and research needed to assist in the reconstruction of our enterprise training program. The analysis of the HR data is exceptional and absolutely relevant to the work we’re doing right now. The subsequent recommendations will accelerate our workgroup’s ability to present a comprehensive plan to the ODHS executive group for review. This was excellent scholarly
work that translates easily into operational planning and implementation.
Don Erickson, Chief Administrative Officer, Office of the Director Department of Human Services
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
Public sector analysis and investigation of a service areas strategic operations and operations strategy that supports two large government agencies with achieving their vision, mission and priorities. The report explores opportunities and threats, customer needs (the want), how the operation performs, what it is doing now. It also provides suggestions to improve and modernize its operations to better align with the agencies they support. Recommendations adopted and being put into practice.
Qualitative and quantitative data were compiled specifically for the research. Surveys, interviews and data from PCS have been utilized for a full view of the operation. Other methods used were a Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats Analysis SWOT, PESTEL Analysis to understand the external environment affect on the operations, 7 Steps in Problem Solving exercise with key customer and staff, Four Vs Analysis to identify the simplicity and complexity of the services offered, Operational versus Customer needs to ensure operational alignment, VRIO Analysis against internal competitors for PCS’s services and to set competitive priorities, Stakeholder Analysis and use of the Hill’s Methodology Framework to build relationships and develop an employee segmentation guide and identify the order winners and qualifiers based on the organisation's values (Kern 2021).
Click the image to view: Kern 2021
TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
Technology Business Feasibility Study to create a digital solutions service centre that fosters continuous improvement through the use of eForm’s, technology-driven business automation and modern asset management. Currently in the implementation stage.
Click the image to view: Kern 2021
LANGUAGE SERVICES EXPANSION
Due to the rushed nature of translation requests, the quality of translations diminish. Standard translations only provide a basic level of engagement with the community. ODHS and OHA must offer quality translations. These translations need to be timely, accurate and culturally appropriate. The purpose was to provide division and program needs and inform recommendations about revisions to the final process and services.
The objective is to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services to improve the quality of care and easy access to services. This new organizational structure will enhance ODHS and OHA's ability to address health care disparities and language access needs.
A new innovative service approach was created based on repurposing commonly used terms in digital marketing, which means using the same content, research, or interview for multiple purposes, such as blog posts, infographics, slides, whitepapers, ebooks and so on. Capturing all translation memory centrally increases publication translation quality, communication consistency, and decreased translation costs, allowing for increasing vendor flexibility and adding in-house linguists to co-develop content rather than translate.
The initiative increased staff to help support:
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The new technology systems,
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Review and approve the final documents,
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The translation coordinators,
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Committees,
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Compliance,
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Importing and deploying publications solutions on the online portal,
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Co-creation, transcreation, and
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Translation services for ODHS|OHA documents.