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Consulting
In the middle of difficulty lies
opportunity.
- Albert Einstein |
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Often in our initial
conversation with managers, one of the first things we find we need
to do is turn "common" into "common-ground." For example, here are
four frequently-used business terms that are often used in confusing
and, sometimes, conflicting ways. Here's what we mean
when we use these terms.
Process
The dictionary defines process as a progression of
activities. In most businesses, process is the foundation of
business activity. Processes - or lack of them - define a company's
business efforts. Whether or not your company's processes are
formalized and well-defined or whether they have merely evolved and
been inherited from task-to-task, they affect the entire life of
your business - from market analysis and needs assessment, to
product development, to marketing and the client experience. As
companies grow or transition, or as production of goods or services
change, or as technology evolves, an organization's processes need
to be revisited to ensure that they are effective and meaningful.
If processes are ignored - either because they are outdated
or because they are no longer relevant to a task - then
processes eventually become barriers. Complex, rigid, or fragmented
processes may be barriers to a customer-focused way of working.
Change Management
Getting people to do things differently requires commitment and
creativity. In business, being able to effectively implement change
can make the difference between the success or failure of an
individual initiative or even the company itself. Change needs to be
viewed from a human and emotional perspective, as well as from an
intellectual or technical viewpoint. Poorly managing or neglecting
the change effort is one of the most common reasons for the failure
of a business or technology.
Training
Training often needs a multi-tiered approach. If a business change
involves a technology installation it's important to be trained on
the new system. But it's also important to address the process side
of the equation. How do you use the new system? Does the daily work
flow change? Are decision makers still the same? Do employee roles
and responsibilities change? How does this change affect customer
service and the ability of customers to find solutions or
assistance? Training is an important tool to drive change and
support change at every level of the organization.
Consulting FAQs
What kind of consulting do you do?
EFFECT specializes in developing detailed strategic and tactical
solutions to a specific set of process issues. We review how your
business works now and then we work with you to increase your
company's flexibility and productivity. These won't be quick and
easy answers; but they will be real, achievable approaches to
revamping business processes. We work with senior management to
assess goals and objectives and to align staff roles and
competencies to these business-critical objectives.
How long will it take to complete the project?
Projects are all unique, so the project duration depends on the
specific qualities and challenges of the project itself. The project
approach, scope, and deliverables are all discussed at our first
meeting, and revisited at designated progress points throughout the
project.
What kind of people hire you?
Typically we're contacted by senior level managers. These department leaders usually manage
groups of at least 10 to 15 people. Their day-to-day work has them
involved with various departments and functions throughout the
larger organization.
What kind of business situation or engagement would EFFECT be right
for?
Any project or situation that would benefit from EFFECT's experience
working with individuals and teams, or providing leadership or
facilitation during the analysis, development, launch, and ongoing
implementation of new processes, products, or business change
initiatives is ideal.
How much do you charge?
Pricing is determined according to the scope and challenge of the
particular project. Pricing is always discussed and agreed upon at
the start of a project so there are no surprises. EFFECT provides a
written proposal that specifies project objectives, schedules, and
deliverables prior to the start of a project.
Would I have to work with some junior
management consultant who doesn't understand what I do?
At EFFECT you work only with an experienced, seasoned
executive with corporate and non-profit experience in process,
quality, and marketing.
I don't have a strategic problem right now, I just need
additional staff to make sure this project is completed. Can
EFFECT help me out?
EFFECT can provide the staff you need to redesign or implement your
new processes, launch your new service or product, or manage an
existing project.
Our business process issues seem
overwhelming. I don't know where to start.
We can help you determine where to begin. We can help create a
step-by-step plan that addresses your organization's
highest-priority issues in a timeframe that makes sense.
We recently built and adopted a
management system. No one uses it. How can we make it work?
Technology alone can't solve a business issue. It's just one tool.
Over the years, we've learned that the human side of change
management can be formidable. EFFECT has considerable experience and
success implementing customized, well-orchestrated change management
plans for companies. EFFECT can help you look at the whole process
and develop a solution that can be implemented successfully.
Will you travel?
Wherever our clients need us. We are ready and available to travel
whenever necessary. Many of our clients have
geographically-dispersed work groups. Often, travel is necessary to
build working relationships, or to observe specific processes or
interactions. Projects can have a unique blend of on-site and
off-site work.
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