A curiosity to learn more about computers during her college days led Kimberly Bailey to become an IT consultant. With businesses required to keep up with technology, IT consulting services have become an integral part of the culture in recent years. These companies provide expert advice and help businesses grow, thereby helping them save time and money, besides increasing competitiveness and professionalism. In short, IT consulting involves processes that aim to introduce, optimize, and support automated reporting and budget management systems, improve the IT infrastructure, and protect the data warehouse for businesses. Kimberley and her company K Bailey Business Group, offer a wide range of consulting services for several industries.
Early Interest in IT
Bailey received her BS in Management Information Systems from Christian Brothers University and MS in Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services from Bellevue University. She began her career with the City of Memphis as a college intern in the Information Systems Division, shaping her for her future endeavors. Since then, Kimberley has steadily progressed in her field and has secured IT and project management positions with international organizations such as the Memphis Grizzlies, Technicolor, AutoZone, Pinnacle Agriculture Holdings, and CBRE. She returned to the City of Memphis in 2017 as the HRIS Solution Manager and was instrumental in the upgrade of several vital operational components within the Human Resources Department.
About K Bailey Business Group
Kimberley started K Bailey Business Group in 2016 as an avenue to explore IT from her own vantage point. She aimed to provide small businesses with the technology and expertise they need to improve efficiency, expand their operations, and effectively manage growth. Kimberley partners with her clients to develop engaging business strategies, design high-quality and scalable solutions, and build rich brand experiences. Due to career demands, she had to pause her business many times. Still, in 2021, Kimberley decided to revamp her venture and leverage her experiences to offer virtual CIO, project management, and implementation expertise services.
Position of Power
Kimberley is an experienced leader with demonstrated project management, team building, public speaking, and team facilitation skills. She served as the Chief Information Officer for the City of Memphis, the first African-American female to hold the position. This was a dream come true for her, as this was the place of her first internship after college. Although the excitement was cut short by the onset of COVID-19 (she received an appointment in January 2020), Kimberley was confident that she would be able to pull off the role that she was assigned.
She was responsible for ensuring that information technology within all city government divisions operated efficiently and safely while helping to advance the current administration’s strategic vision. Teams were provided with tools and updated systems to help them do their jobs better, budgets were combed through so that compensation could be given to those that had not seen raises in years, and vendor relationships were established for the organization’s long-term growth.
Navigating Challenges
Kimberley shares her knowledge and passion for technology with the IT professionals of tomorrow as an adjunct professor at Christian Brothers University. Alongside, she also believes in giving back to her community by serving as the assistant secretary of the Shelby County Health, Education, and Housing Board and is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She also started the Color and Read coloring book series in 2016 and engaged in coloring parties with children to help them learn about some historical people and facts they would probably not have heard about in school.
Being an African-American woman and an entrepreneur was not easy for Kimberley. She says that her biggest challenge with clients was change management. Most of them do not think about how much they need to get involved and pivot to adapt to the changes. To overcome it, she has a solid change plan to see who the change champions are and helps them perform better at their jobs. Trials and tribulations did not stop Kimberley from moving forward, and that is what she advises other women to do so, too – to take the leap of faith. “I remind myself that God has never left me, so He will be there if I have faith. Also, take your time, and do a little bit every day until it becomes everything you want it to be. Network with other entrepreneurs and establish a good support system,” said Kimberley.
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