theculturalconnect.com | Elliot Lopez

Company

ACTIONREACTION

Founded

April 2000

Website

www.actionreaction.net

Name, Title

Elliot Lopez
Principal

Age

Hometown

Brooklyn, New York

Current residence

Sacramento, California

Education

Dartmouth College, BA Psychology and Education, 1996;
MIT Sloan School of Management, Technology and Management

Work Experience

Service Evaluation Concepts, Director Information Services, 2002-2003;
Noonan/Russo Communications, Director IT & Director Interactive Services, 1997-2001;
Morgan Stanley, Investment Banking Division, 1993-1996

Ethnicity

Puerto-Rican

About the company

ACTIONREACTION provides targeted business and marketing solutions for companies across the industry spectrum. The company offers consultation, project strategy and management, and technology-based services that build value and success, including: interactive marketing and communications; enterprise and Web content management; customer relationship management (CRM); and voice over IP (VOIP) business telephony.

What are your day-to-day responsibilities?

I focus on helping our clients to define and articulate their business problems and goals, and then work to devise and implement the most efficient and appropriate strategies, resources and systems to address these issues and objectives. The typical day generally involves a substantial quantity of communication - conference calls, e-mail, etc., writing extensive documentation, planning, and hands-on project management. In addition, I dedicate a great deal of time to watching trends in technology, business and various industries, and to identifying emerging tools that can offer value and be effective in promoting success.

Most notable milestones

My efforts have been recognized several times in print and online, but I think that the most satisfying aspect of the coverage is that I have had the opportunity - by sharing both my successes and failures - to contribute to the evolution of technology in the business landscape. I am a firm believer in the value and benefits of broad collaboration - both in the workplace and across industries, and I support the adoption of technologies and tools that support and promote knowledge-sharing.

Also, I recently had the pleasure of contributing to a multi-vendor initiative to develop and implement an interactive exhibit that served as the centerpiece for IBM's attraction in EPCOT Center at Walt Disney World. In addition to being the coolest exhibit on the floor, the project garnered an IDEA award from the Industrial Designers Society of America and Business Week magazine, and was a finalist in the One Show Interactive competition.

What's the niche?

We offer needs-centric services and solutions, meaning that our offerings are driven by the specific business problems, needs, or goals that our clients are seeking to address. As a result, we are not beholden to any software manufacturers or inclined to "push" any specific products; the solutions that we define and implement are chosen from the entire business and technology landscape, and are designed to maximize cost, efficacy, value, and benefit to our clients' operations and objectives.

What's the biggest challenge?

Many of our clients are established companies, and a significant challenge has been broadening our reach to smaller businesses and startup companies who could benefit significantly from our value and efficiency-oriented approach. As an entrepreneur, I feel a kinship with the small business owner, and I would like to see ACTIONREACTION play a greater role in helping new and smaller companies become more successful.

What's in store for the future?

We constantly strive to identify emerging technology-based products and services that businesses of all types and sizes will need to get a hold of in order to stay competitive and be successful.

VOIP telephony is a terrific example of this: Not long ago, professional telephony systems were entirely proprietary, slow to adapt to the needs of business users, and extremely expensive. Today, ACTIONREACTION is offering VOIP business telephony systems that provide all of the capabilities provided by the earlier PBX systems - internal extensions, voicemail, fax to email routing, auto-attendants, etc. - with some new features that are giving the big players in the market a run for their money, that are based on open source technology, and which cost little more than a high-end business desktop computer. This revolutionary technology is addressing a universal business need - telephony communications - at a price point that is affordable to companies of all sizes.

In addition, we are seeking to improve the availability of tools and resources that promote collaboration and information sharing both inside and outside of the workplace.

Who would you like to be contacted by?

In addition to prospective clients (obviously), I enjoy hearing from other technologists with similar interests. It's great to serve as a resource for others to bounce ideas off of, to critique products and services, learn about the potential for synergy-driven efforts, and keep in touch with the pulse of the industry.

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Best way to keep a competitive edge

Focus on establishing what your client's needs and goals are - talk to all stakeholders and find out what they are seeking to accomplish from a business standpoint in order to determine how you can best meet their needs. Frequently, we are able to identify significant discrepancies during the discovery and articulation process that allow us to refine the solutions we provide, establish appropriate expectations, and maximize time and cost. It's a win-win: clients receive more targeted and appropriate solutions, and we are able to minimize scope creep and other factors that hinder project success.

Guiding principle in life

Your word and integrity are priceless and are inextricably connected to your success and happiness in business and in life.

Yardstick of success

Every venture or opportunity pursuit that teaches you a lesson is a meaningful and successful one.

Goal yet to be achieved

I have always wanted to obtain a private pilot's license, and have even taken lessons, but have yet to accomplish the steps required to receive licensure.

Best practical advice

Reach out for advice whenever needed and never be afraid to ask for help. There is much to be learned from others, and many out there who are willing to share. Also, don't forget to reciprocate - be sure to share your experiences and help others in kind.

Supportive words from a family member or friend on your venture

My friends and family have always been extremely supportive of my efforts. It would be impossible to quantify their support in just a few words, or possibly even a tome, for the matter.

Mentor

My dad, who always taught me to keep trying.

What motivated you to get started?

I started providing technology consultation and services to entrepreneurial colleagues and peers who were in startups or growing companies and who needed sound, pragmatic advice about how to adopt and implement technology resources and tools that would have measurable impact on their businesses.

Like best about what you do?

As a technology generalist, I love the ability to provide services that draw from the entire spectrum of the industry. While specific projects focus generally on more narrowly defined solutions, I enjoy the ability to leverage the whole range of technology to solve business problems.

Like least about what you do?

I consider myself an extension of the management and technology teams of every client that I work with. As a result, the culmination and completion of project-based engagements - especially long term projects - can be an emotional roller-coaster ride. Though we do frequently get repeat business from our prior clients, saying goodbye is never easy.

At age 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?

At age 10, I was pretty convinced that I was going to become an Astronomer. The gorgeous illustrations and photographs in the countless books that I owned on the subject and my limited understanding of the profession had me convinced that I would spend my days and nights peering through telescopes at nebulae, planets and galaxies, touring the world as a lecturer, and maybe even becoming famous - like Carl Sagan.

What was your first job?

My first job was at an architectural firm, where I touched up the blueprints of Manhattan skyscrapers and photographed the progress of building renovations.

Biggest pastime outside of work

Probably because I grew up in the inner city, I've always enjoyed being outdoors. I've done a ton of fishing - in the deep ocean, along the coast, from the surf, in streams and on lakes across the country. Since moving out West, I've also been able to see, hike and camp in some of the country's beautiful national parks - Zion, Bryce, Lassen, Arches, Badlands, and Yosemite, to mountain bike northern California's trails, and to explore the Sierra Nevada range in search of hidden and isolated waterfalls. The beauty and expansive qualities of nature really help to keep it all in perspective.

Leader in business most interested in meeting and why?

I would love to meet with successful business leaders across industries, individuals such as Steven Jobs, Michael Bloomberg, and Oprah Winfrey, to name a few, who have combined personal strength, a strong desire to achieve, and a passionate and genuine interest in their respective fields.

Three interesting facts about yourself

1. I was a certified elementary school teacher, and taught 4th and 5th grade once upon a time.
2. I was named after the host of the radio talk show that my father listened to as he drove to the hospital where my mother was giving birth to me.
3. I once rode a bicycle from Boston to New York city.

Three characteristics that describe you

1. Adaptive
2. Resourceful
3. Focused

Three greatest passions

1. My family
2. My friends
3. My work

Favorite book

Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss.

Favorite cause

Children. In today's special-interest driven world, it's our moral and ethical responsibility to protect and lobby on behalf of the needs of children - of all racial, social and economic backgrounds. In high school, I helped to found and led a children's advocacy group that raised awareness of issues and supported the need for a childrens' voice in modern society. I believe that it is imperative that we recognize the impact of our choices on future generations, and that we take action to improve the lives of children, so that they may be better prepared to assume the stewardship of our society when they come of age.

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Principal of ACTIONREACTION Elliot Lopez

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