About
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I work with businesses to improve their performance - through intelligent use of technology, and by developing the performance capability of their people.
I am based in Wellington and travel regularly around New Zealand (and occasionally to other countries) to work across a portfolio of roles:
- Project Manager - I have an enduring record as a Project Manager who leads business and systems projects from inception to successful completion;
- Business Analyst and Business Systems Consultant - I have extensive experience as a Business Analyst and Business Systems Consultant who can understand business requirements, translate them into clear requirements with an appropriate mix of systems change & process change, and then implement them;
- Business Coach - I use my experience as a consultant and leader to coach others to increase their performance and achieve their goals.
I write regularly on Twitter and my Blog about effectiveness, technology, photography, politics and faith - often with a New Zealand focus. Posts are shared on my personal Twitter "@GavinKnight" and on a dedicated Twitter feed "@GavinKnightBlog". You can also subscribe to the RSS and/or email feeds via the links to the left.
I transitioned my career to business consulting in 2000. Prior to this I spent the late 1980s and the 1990s as an accountant advising entrepreneurs, with an increasing focus on getting the most out of their systems and their accounting function.
Family
I have have been very happily married to Jill for over twenty years. We have a teenage daughter (Andrea) and son (Joel). We enjoy each other, our extended family (most of whom live in or around Wellington), our friends, our home, our community, our church (we were part of the team which started it), Wellington (where I have always lived), the outdoors and travel.
Community
I have been a member of the Board of Trustees of Newlands College (where Andrea went, and Joel still goes) since 2011 and am enjoying this opportunity to contribute to making my community a better place. In 2012 I also become Deputy Chair and convenor of the Charter (Policy) subcommittee.
Effectiveness
I have a keen interest in Effectiveness - from a number of perspectives: personal effectiveness, team effectiveness and organisational effectiveness. This interest in effectiveness infuses my professional life, and my writing.
Technology
My interest in writing about technology is more in terms of personal technology. I'm a gadget geek! and also quite intrigued by web technologies, social media and new media.
Photography
I am a keen photographer. In 2009 I bought my first DSLR and one of my favourite hobbies is learning the art and craft of making and taking great pictures.
Politics
My interest in politics is an expression of my interest in current affairs and the wider world, and is heavily influenced by my christian faith. I am not a member of a political party.
Faith
Although I have attended church since birth my christian faith did not become personal until my late teens.
My faith is very important to me and goes to the heart of who I am. My intention is that my faith informs everything I do, but find the simple frustrating reality is that I don't always live up to that ideal.
I have been an active member of our local church The Salvation Army Johnsonville (SAJ) since I formed the team which started it in the mid 1990s.
I currently focus my SAJ involvement on music team (including leading Sunday services), informal mentoring and as a member of the SAJ Finance Board. I have previously served in various administrative and spiritual leadership roles, preaching, and have been involved in prison ministry.
Prior to starting SAJ I had been active at The Salvation Army Wellington South - the church in Newtown into which I was born, where my extended family has a long association, and where my parents are still active. From my late teens I served in various administrative and spiritual leadership roles until leaving to start SAJ.
