We are highly trained facilitators with years of experience working with groups in the private and not-for-profit sector as well as on the local, state and international level. Experience includes: National Issues Forum, Kettering Foundation, State Humanities Council, Vermont Department of Health, Community Forums, Hospitals, and Internet Technology Businesses.

Strategic planning is a step by step process with definite objectives and end products that can be implemented and evaluated. Very simply, it is a process by which we look into the future, paint a picture of that future based on current trends, and influence the forces that will affect us. Strategic planning looks three to five years ahead and charts a course based on strong indicators of what the business environment will be like in those years.

When launching projects, many organizations embark on the trip before they've created the map. However, an accurate roadmap and a reliable navigator ensure you not only know where you're going but recognize when you get there. We can help you plan, manage implement and ensure success for projects of any duration and complexity. Examples of the critical areas to manage are scope, time, quality, human resources, communication, risk and procurement.

Leadership development focuses on the development of leadership as a process and it may include:

• Individual coaching and mentoring
• Goal setting and performance management
• Management training and development
• Conflict management training
• Developing a process for having difficult conversations
• Managing transition
• Matching leadership styles with situations and stages of team development

Increase efficiency and productivity through performance management. There needs to be alignment between business goals, evaluations, and employee performance. This may include:

• Training and coaching leaders
• Aligning evaluations with performance
• Managing difficult conversations
• Competency development
• Problem solving around individual challenges

A team will be more successful if it creates a foundation for success right from the beginning. We identify strategies for moving groups through the stages of team development and for making that transition successful. We also explore:

• Effective communication
• Group dynamics
• Interpersonal skills development
• Conflict Management

When an employee leaves, a company typically spends $10,000 to $50,000 to replace and retrain them. In addition, the average time required to fill job openings has increased from 41 to 51 days. We explore:

• Motivation and commitment
• Recruitment & retention
• Employee recognition

Quality Improvement means improving outcomes, working smarter not harder, and improving customer satisfaction/service/safety. Quality Improvement manages cost effectiveness and it decreases duplication. This may include:

• Gap analysis
• Integration of tools/models such as PDCA, Affinity Diagrams and Flowcharting
• Redesigning work processes for efficiency and desired outcomes
• Identifying indicators for success
• Benchmarking
• Building sustainability into new processes

It's not uncommon that changes meant to strengthen an organization actually weaken it. They leave its people resentful, demotivated and confused at a time when commitment and creativity are essential.

If your organization is implementing new initiatives or changes in processes, it's critical to successfully manage all of the steps:

• Preparation: The preparation phase helps you develop a foundation upon which to build employee commitment to the change effort.
• Acceptance: The acceptance phase guides you in gaining support for a specific course of action.
• Implementation: The implementation phase deals with the actual changes to business processes and technology.
• Commitment: The commitment phase helps you understand how to sustain support for the changes in which you've invested.

Continuing Education Programs for Professional Development

Customer Service 101

Did you know that 68% of your business is lost due to rude or indifferent attitudes? Did you know t hat the tone of a telephone conversation is determined by its pace, pitch, volume, tempo and facial expressions?! This interactive workshop discusses the benefits of exceeding customer expectations, develops a personalized tool box of customer service tips/tricks and examines methods for improving satisfaction ratings.
Suggested time frame: 4 hours.

Program Design, Delivery & Evaluation

Participants will learn how to turn large amounts of information into an engaging and focused presentation. This program outlines steps that can be used for developing any presentation which will include identifying target audiences, desired outcomes, learning objectives, presentation content, timelines, delivery methods and evaluations. The second session culminates in actual presentations.
Suggested time frame: 2 days one week apart, 4 hours each day

Managing Performance

Increase efficiency and productivity through performance management. This course demonstrates the connection between business goals, evaluations, and employee performance. Participants will have opportunities to problem solve around their own challenges which may include goal setting, team dynamics, competency development, transition management, coaching, employee retention, difficult conversations and relationship building. We will also discuss means for benchmarking progress.
Suggested audience is managers and supervisors.
Suggested time frame: 6 hours

Meeting Facilitation

Participants will examine the art of creating more meaningful meetings. Identify the structure of purposeful meetings and discuss methods for staying on topic, brainstorming, decision making and managing group dynamics.
Suggested time frame: 4 hours

Talent Development…keep the people who keep you in business

When an employee leaves, a company typically spends $10,000 to $50,000 to replace and retrain them. In addition, the average time required to fill job openings has increased from 41 to 51 days. This workshop will provide you with the foundation for creating a culture of commitment and motivation through the lens of authors such as Tom Collins, Quint Studor, Marcus Buckingham/Curt Coffman, Leigh Branham and Bob Nelson.
Suggested audience is managers and supervisors.
Suggested time frame: 3 hours

Managing Transition…and making the most of change

It's not uncommon that changes meant to strengthen an organization actually weaken it. They leave its people resentful, demotivated and confused at a time when commitment and creativity are essential. Often times a group finds themselves "stuck." This workshop discusses strategies and tools for staying "unstuck," and moving through transition as quickly as possible.
Suggested time frame: 3 hours

Group Process

A team will be more successful if it creates a foundation for success right from the beginning. This workshop identifies the stages every group moves through and examines strategies for making that transition successful. We will also explore the interrelationship between group dynamics, the task of the group, decision-making, communication and the roles of the members.
Suggested time frame: 3 hours

Quality Improvement

Improving outcomes, working smarter not harder, and improving customer satisfaction/service/safety. It is cost effective and it decreases duplication. This is an interactive workshop designed to walk participants through the process of quality improvement. We will discuss data that leads to improvement opportunities and integrate the information into the PDCA model. Participants will create AIM statements, explore tools such as fish Bone diagrams, flow charting and affinity diagrams, and we will define measurable outcomes.
Suggested time frame: 4 hours

Leadership at its Best!

This dynamic, highly interactive workshop is designed to step up your effectiveness as a leader. We will tackle what it takes to succeed as a leader through the lens of uncertainty and change as well as motivation and engagement. This workshop also includes a leadership assessment, tips for managing "stress creep", and a high level discussion around challenging communication issues.
Suggested audience is managers and supervisors.
Suggested time frame: 6 hours