Click Summary for Hiring Managers
Richard Smith
Listen: About Me
About Me
My career so far has been a journey of discovery at the intersection of technology, business, and human connection. Spanning industries as varied as Hospitality, Entertainment, Retail, Payments, and Renewable Energy, I’ve embraced each experience as a chance to uncover better ways to connect ideas with impact.
At my core, I’m a lifelong learner, constantly seeking patterns and trends across diverse roles and challenges. Whether optimizing workflows, aligning product roadmaps with stakeholder goals, or crafting compelling marketing funnels, my approach is rooted in adaptability, curiosity, and a commitment to excellence.
The Joy of Problem-Solving
Early in my career, I excelled at navigating challenges through persuasive communication. As my career shifted toward analysis, I developed a methodical approach to solving problems. Over time, I blended these skills, adding prioritization as a critical component. Agile methodologies further refined my process, teaching me to iterate and adapt continuously.
My journey has included the tackling of a wide range of puzzles, from streamlining workflows to uniting teams across time zones. Each challenge has been an opportunity to innovate, learn, and grow. Every domain adds to my understanding, sharpening my problem solving skills and enriching my approach. The most rewarding part? Turning complex challenges into innovative solutions that make a real impact.
Connection as a Foundation
Connection drives me it’s what fuels my best work. I thrive on building authentic relationships because trust and understanding lead to stronger collaboration and better results. My need to connect isn’t a weakness; it’s the foundation for creating environments where people feel valued and motivated to succeed together. That said, I recognize that not everyone works this way. When situations call for a more transactional approach, I’ve learned to dial it back, giving people the space they need to work in their own way. It’s about respecting different styles to create shared success.
The Edge of Agility
The industries I’ve worked in might seem worlds apart, but they share a common thread: the need for adaptability. I’ve learned to thrive in environments where change isn’t just constant it’s expected. From learning how to meet high pressure deadlines in aviation to innovating customer experiences in payments and renewable energy, I see every shift as an opportunity to build something extraordinary.
Creativity Beyond the Desk
When I’m not at work, you’ll often find me whittling a craft that’s taught me the value of patience and focus. Shaping a piece of wood into something meaningful mirrors how I approach my professional life: methodically transforming ideas into tangible outcomes. It’s a grounding practice that reminds me to embrace both creativity and discipline in everything I do.
Living in Northern Virginia, I love exploring its towns, each with a unique charm. Many have a village feel, with lively high streets lined by buildings of diverse designs and materials that create a rich, textured aesthetic. Just an hour away, the countryside offers a different pace, quaint diners, open fields, and farms that bring a relaxed rhythm to a Sunday afternoon.
My family and I enjoy adventures, some more than others but when we are home in our condo, the pool is favorite activity as is watching the latest super hero saga.
When asked where I am from, I say Ilkley, Moor Bar Tat in West Yorkshire, Though I moved there at 12, it feels like home a rugged, beautiful town where I grew up walking, biking, enjoying cream teas, and dancing the nights away in the pubs.
Redhill and Reigate in Surrey hold a special place in my heart also, not only did my family and I spend the pandemic there, but it’s also where I was fortunate enough to build lasting friendships and experience a deep sense of belonging that made it feel like home.
Looking Ahead
As I look to the future, I’m inspired by the potential at the intersection of human connection and technological innovation. Recently, I purchased Meta glasses to document my carving challenges while thinking aloud, enabling me to seek advice from the Virginia Carving Community. This experience reflects my passion for building solutions that genuinely resonate with people.
The lingering sense of disconnection from the pandemic needs to be replaced with renewed engagement, and I believe AI can play a key role. By taking over repetitive pattern matching tasks, AI frees us to seek inspiration from each other instead of staring at dimly lit screens. For me, every challenge is an opportunity to grow, create, and foster meaningful connections.
I invite you to explore my professional narrative and connect for opportunities to collaborate on projects that push boundaries and drive innovation.
Skills Matrix: Business Analyst, Product Owner, and Solution Consultant
| Skill/Competency | Business Analyst | Product Owner | Solution Consultant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Requirements Gathering | ✔✔✔ | ✔✔ | ✔✔ |
| Stakeholder Communication | ✔✔✔ | ✔✔✔ | ✔✔✔ |
| Prioritization | ✔✔ | ✔✔✔ | ✔✔✔ |
| Backlog Management | ✔ | ✔✔✔ | ✔✔ |
| Technical Documentation | ✔✔✔ | ✔✔ | ✔ |
| Solution Roadmapping | ✔✔ | ✔✔✔ | ✔✔✔ |
| Process Analysis & Optimization | ✔✔✔ | ✔✔ | ✔✔ |
| Agile Methodologies | ✔✔✔ | ✔✔✔ | ✔✔ |
| Client Relationship Management | ✔✔ | ✔✔ | ✔✔✔ |
| Solution Design | ✔ | ✔✔ | ✔✔✔ |
