Brian Lightfoot

Experience

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  Jaykin Technologies

  Oct 1994 - Jun 1996

  Technical Writer

  Embarking on my inaugural role as a Technical Writer, I dove into the captivating world of technical communication and web development. This formative experience writing software and hardware manuals for telecommunications and geographic survey companies, allowed me to immerse myself in the intricacies of technical writing while riding the crest of the first wave of web development, which would remain a passion.Throughout this transformative period, I had the privilege of crafting a series of impactful manuals that became invaluable resources for our users as well a developing the company’s first web site. Show less

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  Marconi Communications

  Jun 1996 - Jul 2001

  Senior Technical Writer

  As a Senior Technical Writer at Marconi Communications, a prominent developer of telecommunications equipment during the dynamic “dot com” era, I had the privilege of honing my skills and expertise in a fast-paced and innovative environment. My role encompassed crafting comprehensive hardware and software guides, troubleshooting and operation manuals, using Adobe FrameMaker, for a line of OC-3/12/48 SONET and SDH multiplexers.With a deep reservoir of knowledge and experience, I consistently delivered high-quality documentation that seamlessly translated complex technical concepts into user-friendly materials.In addition to writing, I played a pivotal role in integrating documentation inputs into a sophisticated configuration management system. I managed the document delivery process, including archiving, PDF and HTML version creation, CD packaging and delivery to the web. This also involved managing end-user software and documentation CDs, including packaging design and content administration. I also liaised with printers for the production of paper-based manuals and inventory management.In this role, I also developed and documented internal department procedures as part of ISO 9000 certification.In this role, I enjoyed training and supervising 7 junior writers and co-op students; including assigning tasks and editing final work for consistency and accuracy. Training involved technical writing tools and techniques, as well as telecommunications technology.Further, in this role, I also briefly worked to perform market analysis of the company’s product offerings compared to those already on the market. Show less

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  Self-employed

  Jun 2001 - Apr 2004

  Freelance Writer

  Ever notice how when you see a new shirt color in a store window, you start noticing the same color everywhere?It turns out the colors we see in every day products and fashion are controlled by a handful of people. When I first learned this, I had to know more. During this period, I researched and wrote about what is known as the Color Council, a body which guides color choices and trends, for a novel entitled 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘧𝘢𝘴𝘵 and a non-fiction manuscript.During this time, I also wrote two other fiction manuscripts, entitled 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘳𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘤 and 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘭𝘦. Show less

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  The Lightfoot Institute

  Apr 2004 - Mar 2020

  President & Co-founder

  During my time as President and Co-Founder of The Lightfoot Institute, I successfully wrote energy education documentation, presentations, press releases, websites, promotional materials, as well as film and educational DVD scripts. I edited scientific papers for subject matter experts in energy technology, systems, and policy. I co-wrote and produced an educational DVD about the importance of energy. I Executive Produced, and performed visual research for a feature documentary entitled 𝘕𝘰𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺’𝘴 𝘍𝘶𝘦𝘭 – 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘳’𝘴 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘵 which is currently available on YouTube.Also in this role, I organized multiple energy education events, location filming, and presentations, including those to a group of 12 Members of Parliament (MPs) in Ottawa on Parliament Hill, local Quebec Member of the National Assembly (MNA) and MP, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Concordia University, and École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS).I also obtained charitable status for the Institute and managed all aspects of the non-profit business and charitable activities, including fundraising to prominent Canadian family foundations, grant applications, submitting annual documentation to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), issuing tax receipts, obtaining copyrights, trademarks, ISBN and UPC/barcode numbers for multiple projects, overseeing the creation of legal agreements, and chairing board meetings.Testimonial about the 𝘕𝘰𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺’𝘴 𝘍𝘶𝘦𝘭 DVD:(Excerpt) “. . .presents more up-to-date, accurate information about energy than any source I have encountered. I encourage anyone interested in our nation's economic future, and anyone concerned about global warming to obtain a copy of the DVD. . .” — Mike McCormack, Member of Congress (Retired); Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy Research & Production; 1973 to 1980 Show less

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  Daily Practice

  Mar 2013 - Jun 2018

  Researcher

  What makes us happy? That tough nut has been cracked and I know all about it.During my time with Daily Practice, I read, analyzed, and organized information from over 400 books on psychology, personal development, success & time management, neuroscience, happiness, and many more topics. I entered excerpts from this content into a large database of over 40 000 entries which was the source of content creation. I wrote hundreds of book summaries of many of these books. I followed trends in both print and on-online publishing in all of these areas. During this time, I developed extensive experience collaborating on documents using Google Docs, and also with mind mapping software, the ANKI flash card system, commitment contracts, Evernote, and Calibre.I have solid working knowledge of the following science:• Happiness research• Transtheoretical Model of behavior change (TTM)• Persuasion & influence• Cognitive psychology• Optimizing physical energy• Human motivation• Optimum decision-making• Language acquisition, & more Show less

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  Self-employed

  Mar 2020 - now

  Freelance Technical Writer, Web Developer & Trainer

  I currently write and edit technical documents, reports, articles, and proposals for various clients in Canada and abroad. I also design and produce infographics using Inkscape and CorelDraw software. My specialties are energy technology and policy, psychology and neuroscience, international development, economics, telecommunications, and infographics.I am also a private trainer, having worked successfully to train more than a half-dozen individuals in a 30-hour personal development course in-person, and over the internet via Zoom and Google Meet. I have developed several websites in HTML5, native CSS3, as well as Bootstrap 5. I have also designed, scripted, filmed, and video edited a 30-hour on-line course for my training customers. I also write scripts and perform video editing for various YouTube channels. Show less