About Kersten

CALGARY BUSINESS CONSULTANT - WEB STRATEGIST - PROJECT MANAGEMENT:
Kersten is an entrepreneurial, success-driven product developer based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada with a career working with small to medium sized business spanning two decades, involved in new product research and implementation, new business development, training, problem solving, and customer support. He has researched and implemented cutting edge technology tools for business owners and their employees for most of his career.

"I am the early adopter and quick study of new technology, and am usually the first to embrace change."

"Being from Generation X  I remember the world of computers before The Net became an everyday phrase. In the beginning, I championed our company to embrace the internet for showcasing new innovative products and services to undiscovered markets. I now offer a unique opportunity once again as we witness the next big change; the interactive web, cloud computing, social computing, and the emerging world of merged technology devices as wireless technology breaks new ground."

As a technology strategist, Kersten understands the directives of senior management in an organization and can help connect the necessary tools needed to enhance the lives of high performing executives and teams. Primarily a "people person" Kersten will communicate closely with senior management while working closely with IT professionals, matching technology issues with corporate milestones. Kersten offers a unique perspective as he truly understands good website architecture and how new developments in web-based communication, efficiency tools, collaboration communities, and social networking fit into enterprise.

"I am most intrigued by the world of communications and seamless inter-connectivity between computers and everyday life. My vision is to shatter the old status-quo way to do business, and evolve new flexible work styles that drive creativity and productivity, while keeping work-life balance."

As more Calgarians are beginning to realize the importance of balancing work and personal life, Refreshed IT strives to keep employees in Calgary corporations and around the world plugged into their offices at key and crucial times, while still maintaining their balanced lifestyle with a fresh mind. The key to productivity is staying refreshed. 

"My passion is to create a borderless office and to transition the way employees, teams and organizations in Canada work, but I remain focused on offering simple solutions to every day challenges."

Work History: 

Research & Development - Private Equity 

Bears & Associates  Inc.

Research industry

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

September 2008 – March 2009  ( 7 months)

Researched and developed business tools used for innovations and real estate business fundraising.

 

Enhanced the static company website to incorporate a full web content management system, developed onsite delivery of flash media investor presentation and integrated the contact manager SAAS (Netsuite CRM) and a webcasting service into the site. Trained the staff on the use of the technology and closely monitored their tool based communications and campaigns.

 

Assisted staff in optimizing their efficiency using web 2.0 (cloud computing) tools for create a collaborative workflow.

 

Project champion on a Netsuite Contact Management and Sales Force Automation unguided implementation. Lead the task of data migration into Netsuite, and customized the CRM design to meet the specific needs of the team.

Consultant; New Business Startups

MCK Streategy Corporation

Human Resources industry

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

February 2008 – September 2008  ( 8 months)

Consulted on the development of a new business startup “Investment Boutique” for Bears & Associates.

 

Involved at a senior level in the strategic planning of a suite of products that the boutique would offer in real estate, new innovations products, tax strategy, wealth management and philanthropy.

 

Implemented a corporate culture model; best in class systems and practices for employee experience and life balance

 

Consulted a team of 5 independent brokers and 3 relations staff through a pilot sales project to test the Broker Distribution Network model.

 

Assisted in the development of the website and lead the development of web based business management model heavily focused on collaborative workflow to maximize efficiency. Researched and launched business tools including, but not limited, to cloud computing applications like Netsuite, for CRM, SFA and ERP and Net Documents for secure file storage and sharing.  This enabled the company to work fully independent of a dedicated IT department. 

 

 Contributed as a team member in a brokerage services infrastructure & logistics plan.

Regional Sales Manager for Western Canada

MULTIVAC Canada Inc., Division of Multivac GmbH

Privately Held; Packaging and Containers industry

Toronto, Ontario, Canada and Wolfershwenden, Germany

February 2007 – November 2007  ( 10 months)

MULTIVAC is a world leader in the manufacture of vacuum packaging chamber machines, tray sealers, labelers and plastic roll stock thermoforming machines, servicing sterile, modified atmosphere applications in the food, medical and consumer products market segment.

Part of a hand-picked sales team involved in a new autonomous Canadian start-up division of Multivac. Responsible for bringing resources to bear, to identify, develop and close business opportunities, and assure the satisfaction of customers in four provinces in Western Canada.

Completed all supplied technical training programs related to Multivac products, and began advanced training equivalent to a technical sales advisor position.

Initiated existing customers in Western Canada, attracted new business to the sales pipeline, and developed business relationships with production and management personnel at most of Canada's leading food producers.

Played a key role in closing the first sale of a revolutionary “Form-Shrink” process using a roll-stock machine to replace shrink bags.

 

Head of Sales for Western North America

Cask Brewing Systems Inc.

Packaging and Containers industry

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

1999 – 2006  (7 years)

Leading Canadian supplier of Brewing Equipment and Supplies, representing Ball Corporation for the supply of beverage cans to the Craft Brewing Industry.

Conceived and developed the concept of “Micro Canning,” the miniaturization of commercial canning systems. Led management into creating micro canning systems for sale to the craft brewing industry.

Guided a production team that developed small-scale canning lines, and researched key parts supply. Worked closely with engineers, machinists, electrical controls specialists, programmers, welders, and assemblers in creating new machinery.

Introduced and promoted canning to the American and Canadian micro brewery industry through extensive telephone solicitation, informative direct mail, and email campaigns. Organized trade shows and networked through influential industry players and media.

Solicited, sold and set up 45 canning startups in western Canada and the United States. Responsible for all aspects of the project from initial solicitation, demonstrations, the sale, all the way through to pre-press can graphics consultation, can production planning, machinery testing, installation, training, and follow-up support.

Helped solidify a strong supplier relationship with a world leading beverage can manufacturer, Ball Corporation (BLL.NYSE), with which Cask has become the exclusive agent representing the craft brewing industry.

Responsible for an average of 40% increase per year in new packaging equipment and materials sales, more than doubling the packaging segment of the business in three years.

 

Sales/Service Technician for Brewing Systems

Cask Brewing Systems Inc.

Food & Beverages industry

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

1993 – 2006  (13 years)

Cask Brewing was a leading supplier of turnkey brewing systems, equipment, and supplies to the Canadian craft brewery industry

Telephone and on-site technical service and support to the brewery industry. Effective problem solving of common issues related to brew house performance, equipment malfunction, fermentation, filtration, carbonation, and packaging issues.

Created and maintained over 100 brewing recipe formulations, published brewing and wine making manuals, and edited twelve editions of quarterly information newsletters to customers.

Developed a quality control monitoring process to access supplier and customer product performance.

Regularly organized industry trade shows and participated as a guest speaker in technical seminars. Organized information workshops, special events and introduced guest speakers for the Fermenter’s Guild of British Columbia Formerly the HBVA).

Built the business to a dominant position in the Western Canadian brewing market and maintained the customer base for over ten years. Assisted in new business expansions into the United States, Australia, Russia, and Asia markets.

Assisted in the setup and supporting of franchises in Australia and China.

Developed and promoted a corporate Internet identity, aiding the company in contacting new business opportunities internationally. Webmaster of www.cask.com and offered in-house corporate Internet technical service and support to staff for ten years.

 

Equipment Installer and Customer Training

Cask Brewing Systems Inc.

Food & Beverages industry

Calgary, Alberta, Canada 

1991 – 1996  (5 years)

Brewing system start-ups

Independently responsible for the installation and training of 70 new brewery startup projects in Canada, United States, Australia and Asia. Maintained 90% loyal customer satisfaction for the company. Assisted in the industry growth steadily through the early 90’s through good customer communication, fresh ideas and service.

 

Retail Manager - Brewing and Winemaking Supply Company 

Gordon’s, Cave a Vin

Retail industry

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

1987 – 1991  (4 years)

Retail manager for a pioneering brewing and wine making supply company in Montréal. Responsible for closing the wholesale business, consolidating three retail stores and building a strong central retail business that quadrupled sales over three years.