Michael Gershbein
Founder at Very Smart People- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Gene Silverberg
I hired Michael for a business startup that needed to get launched in a short period of time. Michael brought in a unique combination of technology expertise, writing and research skills, patience and good humor and allowed me to focus on moving the project to where it needed to be by the date that it needed to get there. He served as a virtual partner and enabled me to create an extensive business plan, built a website and acted as a sounding board, all the while treating my business as his own in the short time that he worked on it. Specifically, his skills in Word, Powerpoint and Excel were invaluable in helping me move my ideas to
Anne Slaughter
Michael is an outstanding collaborator. With his broad experience and knowledge, extensive network, sense of humor, and uncompromising commitment to quality, he brings a unique and valuable perspective to any team. After successfully working with him on the Chicagoland Library Unconference series and building the CLU partnership, I sought his participation on the Advisory Board of the LACONI Technology Section.
Gene Silverberg
I hired Michael for a business startup that needed to get launched in a short period of time. Michael brought in a unique combination of technology expertise, writing and research skills, patience and good humor and allowed me to focus on moving the project to where it needed to be by the date that it needed to get there. He served as a virtual partner and enabled me to create an extensive business plan, built a website and acted as a sounding board, all the while treating my business as his own in the short time that he worked on it. Specifically, his skills in Word, Powerpoint and Excel were invaluable in helping me move my ideas to
Anne Slaughter
Michael is an outstanding collaborator. With his broad experience and knowledge, extensive network, sense of humor, and uncompromising commitment to quality, he brings a unique and valuable perspective to any team. After successfully working with him on the Chicagoland Library Unconference series and building the CLU partnership, I sought his participation on the Advisory Board of the LACONI Technology Section.
Gene Silverberg
I hired Michael for a business startup that needed to get launched in a short period of time. Michael brought in a unique combination of technology expertise, writing and research skills, patience and good humor and allowed me to focus on moving the project to where it needed to be by the date that it needed to get there. He served as a virtual partner and enabled me to create an extensive business plan, built a website and acted as a sounding board, all the while treating my business as his own in the short time that he worked on it. Specifically, his skills in Word, Powerpoint and Excel were invaluable in helping me move my ideas to
Anne Slaughter
Michael is an outstanding collaborator. With his broad experience and knowledge, extensive network, sense of humor, and uncompromising commitment to quality, he brings a unique and valuable perspective to any team. After successfully working with him on the Chicagoland Library Unconference series and building the CLU partnership, I sought his participation on the Advisory Board of the LACONI Technology Section.
Gene Silverberg
I hired Michael for a business startup that needed to get launched in a short period of time. Michael brought in a unique combination of technology expertise, writing and research skills, patience and good humor and allowed me to focus on moving the project to where it needed to be by the date that it needed to get there. He served as a virtual partner and enabled me to create an extensive business plan, built a website and acted as a sounding board, all the while treating my business as his own in the short time that he worked on it. Specifically, his skills in Word, Powerpoint and Excel were invaluable in helping me move my ideas to
Anne Slaughter
Michael is an outstanding collaborator. With his broad experience and knowledge, extensive network, sense of humor, and uncompromising commitment to quality, he brings a unique and valuable perspective to any team. After successfully working with him on the Chicagoland Library Unconference series and building the CLU partnership, I sought his participation on the Advisory Board of the LACONI Technology Section.
Credentials
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Apple Teacher 2016
-Nov, 2016- Oct, 2024
Experience
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Very Smart People
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United States
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Professional Training and Coaching
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1 - 100 Employee
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Founder
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Sep 2014 - Present
• Provide one-on-one training and troubleshooting on Apple products, social media, computers and other technology in Chicago and its suburbs. • Consult with small business owners on technology solutions and best practices. • Lead group training on subjects related to personal technology, with recent topics including Facebook for Entrepreneurs, iPad and iPhone Tips and Tricks, Online Learning, Wearable Technology, Online Video and many more. See catalog below for more available topics. • Present at professional organizations, libraries, senior centers, schools, retirement centers and churches and synagogues. Calendar of upcoming events: http://www.vspchicago.com/training-calendar.html • Recent and upcoming public library venues include Alsip-Merrionette Park, Broadview, Carol Stream, Cook Memorial, Downers Grove, Elk Grove Village, Elmhurst, Forest Park, Fountaindale, Fox Lake, Fremont, Glencoe, Glen Ellyn, Glenside, Green Hills, Highwood, Hinsdale, Huntley, La Grange, Lincolnwood, McHenry, Midlothian, Oak Park, Palatine, Poplar Creek, River Forest, Skokie, Warren-Newport, Wilmette and Winnetka-Northfield. • Senior centers that have booked my classes include Frisbie Senior Center, North Shore Senior Center and Park Ridge Senior Center. • Instructor with the adult continuing education program for Community High School District #128 (Vernon Hills and Libertyville) and New Trier Extension (New Trier Township). • Professional organizations where I've presented include Glencoe Rotary Club, Skokie Chamber of Commerce, Niles Chamber of Commerce, Winnetka-Northfield Chamber of Commerce, Suburban Chicago Apple Users Group and the Women's Exchange in Winnetka. • Led sessions at Addison Public Library in-service days. Show less
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CLU
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Poland
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Information Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Partner
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Aug 2013 - Dec 2015
CLU provided library consulting and ran library unconferences. CLU provided library consulting and ran library unconferences.
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Glencoe Public Library
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United States
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Libraries
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1 - 100 Employee
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Librarian
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Jun 2005 - Aug 2015
• Held position of Virtual Services Librarian for 8 years. • Leadership in new technologies and their application to public libraries. • Developed, maintained and implemented technology for website, Facebook page, Twitter feed, MailChimp newsletters and other internet technologies and analyze their application to library strategies. • Created original content and news for library blogs and marketing newsletters. • Taught classes on technology trends. • Provided one-on-one training on ebooks, tablet computers, mobile devices and other technology. • Provided public services, including reference and education, at a busy reference desk. Show less
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Co-Founder
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May 2012 - Dec 2013
Part of a 6-member team that planned and managed two attendee-driven library conferences. Part of a 6-member team that planned and managed two attendee-driven library conferences.
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Deloitte
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Business Consulting and Services
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700 & Above Employee
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Senior Project Manager - Client Service Technologies Group
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Jun 2002 - Feb 2003
Accepted position when Andersen Tax Practice was acquired by Deloitte & Touche. • Moved Andersen applications and content over to Deloitte & Touche. Accepted position when Andersen Tax Practice was acquired by Deloitte & Touche. • Moved Andersen applications and content over to Deloitte & Touche.
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Arthur Andersen & Co.
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Accounting
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1 - 100 Employee
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Manager - Strategic Technology for Tax, Legal and Business Advisory (TLBA)
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Sep 2000 - May 2002
Managed knowledge management technology (with emphasis on Intranets) for TLBA Technology Function, a small group (~15 globally) charged with overseeing global technology strategy and investment for the Andersen Tax, Legal and Business Advisory practice (TLBA).• Led development, enhancement and rollout of knowledge products used globally and budgeted at over $1M, including Domino Intranet Platform (an intranet creation tool), KAPT (a document management tool) and multiple supporting technologies such as search engines, statistics packages and more.• Guided global TLBA intranet site strategy and direction in consultation with Partners and Managers. • Conferred with knowledge managers on needs and best practices for intranet and other knowledge sharing solution development.• Chaired committees charged with determining future directions of TTF supported products. • Liased with other technology groups within the Firm to drive TLBA needs in development projects and to share technologies and best practices.• Met with external vendors in order to review and implement third-party products.• Reviewed and analyzed new technologies and trends.• Supervised team of two employees. Show less
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Intranet Production Team Leader/Site Manager
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Sep 1999 - Aug 2000
Managed production and quality assurance of Assurance and Business Advisory Intranet, an internally-focused site consisting of multiple geography and service line portals.• Advised content owners and practice leaders on placement and functionality of materials.• Developed technology solutions to be used with Lotus Notes publishing platform.• Enabled strategies and processes that allow an intranet site to serve a global cross-practice audience.• Supervised intranet publication staff. Show less
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KnowledgeSpace Production Team Leader and Research Analyst
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Sep 1997 - Aug 1999
Led resource standardization and functionality for KnowledgeSpace Finance Community, a for-profit Arthur Andersen internet service.• Assisted in defining strategies to bring a start-up internet product to market.• Acted as technology liaison with Technology Services department. • Furnished one-on-one training on KnowledgeSpace to Arthur Andersen personnel.• Supervised 2-4 person production staff in resource publishing.
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Education
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1992 - 1994
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
MLS, Library and Information Science -
1988 - 1992
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
BA, English -
1984 - 1988
Niles West High School
Community
