Eli Weir

Senior Technology Executive (CIO/CTO/CEO) with over 15 years experience on the creative edge of the IT industry. Core strengths in leadership, strategy, marketing, project management, product architecture, design, user interaction, and software development.

• Extensive track record of accomplishments in global technology consulting, as well as in playing strategic technology leadership roles within growth-oriented organizations.

• In-depth familiarity with state-of-the-art programming languages, architectures, and software development methodologies (e.g. Agile/XP, MOF, SOA) .

• Passionate about human potential and about recruiting, building, and mentoring teams of employees to exceed expectations and achieve shared goals.

• Able to engineer dramatic corporate cost reductions by outsourcing non-essential technology functions to vendors, contractors, and strategic partners.

• Deep experience within the Travel, Entertainment, Media, Creative, Gambling, and Business Service industries, with a particular focus on start-up operations.

• Success in dealing with multi-lingual and multi-market product and service offerings, especially in the Asia-Pacific region (Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, etc).

In addition to the longer-term roles below, was also involved in various consultancy and project roles for companies throughout the globe, and was a guest lecturer and consultant to various institutions such as the National College of Multimedia and Technology, the Media Design School, Natcoll, etc. Also served as a mentor for design and development forms in Auckland, and wrote many courses taught by Creative Training (JavaScript, Advanced Lingo, etc).

Eli Weir’s Specialties:

Strategy, Consulting, Travel, Software, Start-ups, Service Offerings, Product Development, Design, Microsoft Technologies, Organizational Design, New Media, Gaming, Education, Presentations, Social Media, Consumer-generated Media, Web 2.0, Agile, XP, Lean, Change

Eli Weir’s Experience

CEO

iCashbook

(Privately Held; Computer Software industry)

September 2009 — Present (7 months)

iCashbook is dedicated to bringing innovation, freshness and simplicity to software solutions for business and non-business owners around the world.

We create simple tools that help ease the burden business owners face in having to maintain records to satisfy the needs of staff, shareholders and the Tax Department.

Our flagship product is a “global” online cashbook, developed for up to 52 countries, complint with local tax laws and business regulations.
Director

SlapFu

(Privately Held; Think Tanks industry)

August 2009 — Present (8 months)

SlapFu is a Business Transformation company specialising in Start-ups, Ventures, and Growth organisations. We help organisations with Agility, Efficiency, Innovation, Focus, and help them to become more Social and Accessible.
Director

Yellow Jandal

(Computer Software industry)

August 2009 — Present (8 months)

Yellow Jandal creates and publishes mobile and SaaS applications.
Sensei

The Dojo

(Professional Training & Coaching industry)

August 2009 — Present (8 months)

The Dojo is a space to learn, train, and meditate. A social-media powered incubator, to assist with start-up, growth, training, funding, and education. A place where the masters of all disciplines can gather and pass on their wisdom.

In addition to our online tools, we also provide a network of fully-services offices for creatives, start-ups, and entrepreneurs, events, and training.
Innovations & Ventures

Air New Zealand

(Public Company; Airlines/Aviation industry)

March 2008 — August 2009 (1 year 6 months)

Air New Zealand is an international and domestic airline group which provides air passenger and cargo transport services within New Zealand, as well as to and from Australia, the South West Pacific, Asia, North America and the United Kingdom. Air New Zealand also encompasses business units providing engineering and ground handling services. Subsidiaries extend to booking systems, travel wholesaling and retailing services.

Air New Zealand is the airline of choice when travelling to, from and within New Zealand.
CTO

Visible Technologies

(Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Information Technology and Services industry)

January 2007 — February 2008 (1 year 2 months)

Visible Technologies is the industry leader in online brand and reputation management services for corporations and individuals, including Fortune 100 companies and public figures. Recruited into this role to develop the company’s management and technology capabilities as the product range matured and expanded, and as the company sought a second round of funding. In this position, ensured that the flagship product progressed from prototype to production.
VP Technology

Virtuoso

(Privately Held; 201-500 employees; Leisure, Travel & Tourism industry)

October 2005 — October 2006 (1 year 1 month)

Virtuoso is a $4B invitation-only luxury-travel consortia, based in the US and expanding globaly. Played key role solidifying the company’s leadership in the market, ensuring technology is aligned with corporate goals.

• Restructured technology, aligning more closely with the goals of the enterprise, breaking down barriers, and encouraging accountability.

• Implemented values, culture, and development programs which increased commitment, reduced conflict, and increased efficiency.

• Significantly reduced operating budget. Set up strategic partnerships and outsourced areas of non-focus, resulting in delivery of more value to the enterprise.

• Implemented methodologies such as MOF and Agile to increase delivery, quality, and scalability.

• Migrated 1-tier architecture to a clearly-defined set of presentation, business logic, and data-access layers, and towards a SOA.

• Implemented unified communications including presence awareness, IM, remote conferencing, VOIP, etc.
Managing Director, Technology

Virtuoso

(Privately Held; 201-500 employees; Leisure, Travel & Tourism industry)

November 2004 — October 2005 (1 year )
Group IT Manager

ESC Group of Companies

(Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Real Estate industry)

2003 — 2004 (1 year )

The Group includes companies centred around investment, business, and property development. Managed the IT requirements of the group and lead the development of websites and internal systems, as well as retail technology products.

• Streamlined internal processes, implemented shared technology environments and consolidated suppliers. This increased efficiency and resulted in huge savings.

• Restructured the IT and development teams, outsourced non-core business and support to allow for focus on revenue-generating projects.

• Implemented a WAN to deliver telephony, data, applications throughout all branches in NZ and Australia.

• Delivered an integrated extranet tied into a content managed framework for the public websites.

• Delivered several iterations of enterprise-level applications, including software used to access various data sources and back-end systems.

• Worked with the company owners to re-brand and re-launch several key internet offerings.
VP New Media

Communication Asia Network

(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Broadcast Media industry)

2001 — 2004 (3 years )

Communication Asia Network (CAN) is a Broadcast and IP content provider that has a presence throughout the Asia Pacific, including Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Philippines, and New Zealand. Reported to the CEO, and was responsible for the administration and development of various creative and technology related services.

• Established and directed the strategic long term goals, policies and procedures for the information technology and creative departments.

• Conceptualised and directed development of the online and onscreen identity of the company, and marketing collateral.

• Determined CAN’s long-term technology architecture and infrastructure requirements to accomplish business objectives.

• Directed and oversaw all aspects of Web systems (intranet and extranet) including design, release, and maintenance.

• Had extensive involvement in the process of liaising with partners and investors, and raising capital for the development of the Network
Director

Hive Net

(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Information Technology and Services industry)

1999 — 2004 (5 years )

Hive Net is a technology services firm that grew from a brand of Native Design. Hive Net delivers a range of solutions to the small to medium enterprise market, including hosted solutions, software development, and facilities management (outsoured IT support). Was responsible for the development of the company and service offerings, acting as strategic advisor to the General Manager and senior staff.

• Established and directed the strategic long term goals, policies and procedures for the company.

• Identified strategic partners and negotiated joint ventures and shared service offerings, such as integrated solutions including a full range of managed data, telephony, and applications.

• Developed the core framework of applications offered to clients, such as the Microsoft Collaboration Framework.

• Identified and developed relationships with key clients, including the establishment of service level contracts.
Business Development Manager

Devolution

(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Information Technology and Services industry)

2002 — 2003 (1 year )

Devolution is a consulting firm based in Auckland that delivers internet and intranet based application solutions. Reported to the Board of Directors, and was responsible for identifying potential clients, and working with established clients throughout the development process to ensure that the project goals were met.

• Identified, negotiated and managed strategic relationships with clients as well as content and technology partners.

• Managed the sales and marketing, design, and development teams to implement business development initiatives.

• Analysed clients needs, conceptualised solution, and developed business and use-case documentation.

• Planned, designed, and developed new products and business opportunities.

• Served as the creative and technical lead on many projects.
Managing Director

Native Design International

(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Information Technology and Services industry)

1995 — 2002 (7 years )

Native Design is a new media agency serving a global client-base. Wa one of the founders and responsible for developing the business.

• Planned and directed all aspects of the companies policies, objectives, and initiatives.

• Developed relationships with clients in Australia, Hong Kong, United Kingdom, and United States.

• Set up a satellite office in Washington, D.C. and consulted to various clients both in the US and in NZ.

• Developed relationship with CT+E, a company located in Washington DC to serve as design and development arm. Acted as Product Architect for the development of a next-generation gaming platform.

• Negotiated with Gearboxx Interactive, a development company located in Northern Virginia, to serve as outsourced design and development agency.

• Worked closely with TVNZ and developed several key applications for them.

• Developed and spun off several companies, including Creative Training, Cognitive Software, and Hive Net.
Lecturer

Manukau Institute of Technology

(Educational Institution; 1001-5000 employees; Higher Education industry)

1997 — 1998 (1 year )

Taught in the computer department of the School of Art and Design, had a range of duties including curriculum development.

Eli Weir’s Education

Manukau Institute of Technology

BBus , Commerce , 1993 — 2008
Travel Institute

CTIE , Travel , 2006 — 2006
Travel Institute

CTA , Travel , 2005
Manukau Institute of Technology

DipVA , Interactive Design , 1998

Additional Information

Eli Weir’s Websites:

Eli Weir’s Interests:

Technology, entrepreneurship, strategy, art, literature, property development, property investment, investing, snowboarding, travel, food, wine, single malt scotch whiskey, people, design, multimedia, VR, AI, generative development, Intelligent Agents, lean, agile, innovation, ventures

Eli Weir’s Groups:

Technology Executives Per Group (TXPEG), The Society for Information Managemnt (SIM), The Travel Institute, New Zealand Comuter Society, New Zealand Institute of Management, New Zealand Software Association, Computing Technology Industry Association, Agile Professional Network