Specialist - Internet & Business Communication Resume

Title
Specialist - Internet & Business Communication

Primary Skills
Website design, graphic design, public relations, marketing, sales promotions

Location
US-AL-Birmingham (will consider relocating)

Posted
Jan-07-10

Deidre Ali
Internet & Business Communications Professional
1204 4th Court West
Birmingham, AL 35208
Phone: (205) 834-4937
Email: emaildeidre@gmail.com

WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT & MANAGEMENT
Skilled web designer with demonstrated ability to plan, develop, promote, and analyze websites. Successful with employing the following technologies and processes to accomplish specific tasks:

*Creating dynamic, user-center internet websites: CSS, XHTML/HTML, Javascript, PHP, XML/XSL, Visual Studio 6

*Working knowledge of Adobe CS4: Dreamweaver, Flash, Photoshop, Illustrator

*Working knowledge of Microsoft Expression: Expression Design, Expression Encoder

*Creating collaborative intranet/extranet websites using Microsoft SharePoint 2007 (and SharePoint Designer), and TeamSite.

*Creating visual “data patterns” (charts/graphs/etc) to display complex data sets contained in Microsoft Excel/Access files.

*Implementing database driven web content management systems: Joomla, Drupal, WordPress, Teamsite, Vignette Story Server , MySQL

*Implementing Web 2.0 and social media technologies into the business communication process: RSS, Widgets, Blogs, Podcasting, Social Media, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter

*Graphic Design: QuarkXpress, Illustrator,

*Microsoft Office - Excel, Word, Access, Acrobat Professional, Publisher

*Search Engine Optimization/Google Analytics

* Streaming Media: Flash Encoder, Expression Encoder, Windows Media Encoder

STRATEGIC TECHNICAL PLANNING, PROBLEM SOLVING, & SUPERVISION
Demonstrated project management experience, including the ability to meet multiple deadlines within a dynamic and evolving environment.

* Researched and proposed an enterprise RSS solution for Southern Company that improved internal business communication. Championed the technology until its ultimate adoption. Led vendor search and cost analysis, reviewed and participated in vendor contract negotiations, supervised the implementation of solution within the enterprise. Recipient of a Southern Company Service Excellence Award for this effort.

* Identified the need for an intranet solution to improve inter-department collaboration for Alabama Power Public Relations. Proposed & supervised the adoption of a SharePoint 2007 portal which consisted of two large WSS sites. Managed look/feel of both sites, managed user permission levels, periodic content assessments, integrated web parts for improved functionality.

* Led the development of a custom web conferencing solution that allowed for internet broadcast of a major management conference. After budget restrictions prohibited the purchase of an Adobe Solution for the task, I was challenged to build custom alternative. Managed project budget, design, testing and deployment. Final solution featured live streaming video from the conference, real-time interactive polling and chat for remote attendees, and the ability for them to submit their questions to conference speakers in real-time. Recognized publicly by Alabama Power President and & CEO for saving the company nearly $50K by developing the solution.

TEAM BUILDING
Demonstrated ability to make key contributions in a team environment whose members have diverse skill sets. Successfully worked as a contributor in the following team environments:

* Served on SharePoint 2007 Migration Team with the primary responsible for review of proposed SharePoint configuration and suggesting WebParts for further customization

* Served as a member of Southern Company Internet Governance Committee; a group of corporate communications and IT professionals within the enterprise that governed intranet policy, strategy, protocol and new technology research, review, testing, and implementation.

* Experience as team contributor tasked with taking static designs and wire frames from Graphic Designers and coding them.

* Experience as a team contributor tasked with working with writers and communications specialists to develop web campaigns in conjunction with major marketing and public relations initiatives.

* Experience as only web designer on a team of programmers and technical writers to deliver online advertising websites and marketing campaigns for national magazine advertisers.

PUBLIC RELATIONS & BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

* Successfully delivered oral technical presentation to engage and influence decision makers and key stakeholders to adopt technologies.

* Successfully wrote and edited business communication pieces including, but not limited to, press releases, articles, talking points, speeches, newsletters. Recipient of a 1996 Award of Distinction from the Birmingham, AL Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators.

* Effectively offered counsel on incorporating social media strategies into overall Public Relations plan.

COACHING & TRAINING
Demonstrated ability to deliver technical training and instruction.

* Successfully served as a corporate technical trainer and classroom instructor on the following applications: Adobe Photoshop, Flash, Dreamweaver, Illustrator and QuarkExpress


CAREER EXPERIENCE

Freelance Designer & Consultant 2009 -- Present
Develop internet solutions for small businesses and non-profits. Consult with clients to determine business needs, expectations and budget to propose effective web strategies and solutions.

Internet Specialist 2006 -- 2009
Southern Company / Alabama Power Company, Birmingham, AL
Responsible for website design and development and researching emerging web technologies and meeting with key stakeholders to discuss the impact of these emerging technologies on the company's business communication and advertising objectives.

Adjunct Instructor 2002 -- 2003
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Taught Macromedia Flash, Dreamweaver, HTML, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and QuarkExpress

Web Designer 2001 -- 2003
Southern Progress Corporation, Birmingham, AL
Responsible for designing and maintain magazine websites and promotional microsites and interactive banners/web ads for magazine advertisers: CookingLight.com, SouthernLiving.com, and Health.com. Redesigned the company's intranet website and trained HR staff to maintain it.

Web Developer 2000 -- 2001
YMCA of Birmingham, Birmingham, AL,
Responsible for redesign of the non-profit's website using Flash.

Senior Sales Promotion Specialist 1996 -- 1999
Bellsouth Yellow Pages, Birmingham, AL
Responsible for translating complex statistical marketing data into simple and effective promotional language. Then taking the translated copy and designing persuasive sales promotion pieces (brochures, etc) for use by sales representatives.

Internal Communications Intern 1994 -- 1996
United Parcel Service, Birmingham, AL
Responsible for writing press releases, creating audiovisual presentations and serving as co-editor of the employee magazine, The Big Idea

EDUCATION

Bentley College Jan 2009 -- Present
Waltham, MA
Area of Study: Human Factors in Information Design
Currently pursuing a graduate studies

New Horizon Learning Center May 2008 - Dec 2008
Birmingham, AL
Intro to .NET Programming
Microsoft SharePoint Administration Levels I, II, and III

Virginia College of Birmingham 1999 - 2000
Birmingham, AL
Internet Webmaster Certification, Web Design and Development

University of Alabama at Birmingham 1990 -- 1995
Birmingham, AL
Bachelor of Arts, Mass Communications / Public Relations

AFFILIATIONS
Member - SIGCHI (Special Interest Group on Human Computer Interaction)
Past Board Member - IPSA (Internet Professionals Society of Alabama)

ENDORSEMENTS:
“Deidre is imaginative, creative and a forward thinker. She is always looking for ways to use technology to improve how we do business -- to communicate.” - James Chapman, Technology & Business Practices Manager, managed Deidre Ali directly at Alabama Power Company.

“Our organization's website was poor at best and needed a major retooling. Deidre led the effort to do that and the results are amazing. Deidre is an expert and a professional at what she does and we greatly appreciate her work.” Myrna Pittman , V.P. Customer Services , Alabama Power Company

"Deidre is a very good team player that provides a solid blend of knowledge, strategy and creativity in with regard to the internet design and communication solutions.” Howard Torch , Advertising Manager , Alabama Power Company

"A pleasure to work with, Deidre is first and foremost responsive and professional. She approaches each job with a creative eye and good business sense. She's a detail oriented conscientious worker who always brings her best to the task at hand." Laura Rush - Online Marketing Manager, Southern Living Magazine

Certifications
See above


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