Strategic Advice & Opinion
Organizations constantly consider ways to improve, strengthen, grow, streamline, protect, reshape, restructure or reinvent the business. Organizations look to merger, acquisition, divestiture, new information technology, green field start up, restructuring, process reengineering, shared services, consolidation, corporate/subsidiary interlock, outsourcing, new economy (e-commerce, e-business), alliances, partnerships and more as the means to meet strategic and operational objectives.
Whenever an idea, impulse or imperative to change the business is first aired, that is the time when it is most advisable to bring independent, unbiased subject matter expertise into the discussion. Far too many good, worthwhile ideas to improve the business fail to meet expectations simply because critical elements were overlooked, ignored or taken for granted. Early inclusion of John’s expertise, experience and acumen in the consideration process will ensure that the right questions are asked and that the answers are the right answers.
John will guide you towards the course that provides you with the greatest prospect for success at the least risk. Short, sharp engagements that point the way to multi-million dollar savings, quicker delivery, higher quality and better ROI are John’s forte, his hallmark...
Initial Assessment
Given the welter of special interests and agenda’s that arise whenever transformation is on the agenda; swift, crisp and independent analysis of who will be doing what to whom, where, when, at what cost and WHY is an essential prerequisite before significant commitments are made.
John separates fact from fiction, diagnoses what is wishful thinking rather than reality, determines when a miracle is part of the plan and identifies what items or elements of the overall initiative are overstated, understated, misleading or problematic. By identifying any gaps or disconnects between the intent of the transformation initiative and the way it will be handled; John provides clients with the means to mitigate risk, drive toward objectives and improve the prospect for success.
In-Depth Assessment
While Initial Assessment is a swift, crisp review of all aspects of what has to be done from a prospect of success standpoint, In-Depth Assessment drills deep into the mechanics of exactly how the initiative will be handled. In-Depth Assessment provides additional assurance that what is envisioned is plausible and possible, that what is planned is doable and that what will be done makes sense and will meet expectations.
No matter what vendors or consulting partners are telling you to the contrary; any firm with a stake in what is on the table cannot provide truly unbiased advice. John provides the means for clients to truly understand what is promised, what is implicitly committed, what is ‘behind’ the scenes and what would otherwise cause significant issues, before the deal is signed.
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| Tactical Oversight
Initiatives of all sizes and types benefit greatly from occasional external, independent review. It provides management with a view on what is over the horizon, what interests or influences are improperly canting the project and what management should do to ensure the initiative meets expectations.
By reviewing and verifying that all is well or pointing out what should be done to proactively improve matters, John helps clients to detect and ameliorate matters that have little to do with the mechanics of initiative management - that is what status reports are for.
Intervention & Recovery
Often projects start well then stumble. Projects with a mix of external resources are all but guaranteed to spiral into the wormhole of cost overruns, delays, vendor abandonment and dilution of consultant commitments. Ego, power and control conflict run rampant; time and money is wasted while debate goes on and on and on. Finger pointing, blaming others, covering one’s rear and other attempts at deflecting wrath take precedence over fixing the problem.
Firm, decisive action that preserves value earned to date, stops the bleeding and secures quick victories while rebuilding momentum and morale is the best way to rescue projects in distress. John’s skill and expertise in bringing order to chaos can be applied to any transformation project – at any stage.
One-on-One Mentoring
The people who lead efforts to improve the business are typically excellent at managing the mechanics of change yet are often at a loss when it comes to dealing with the dynamics, optics and politics of the business. John provides a confidential sounding board where these people can voice their concerns, ask what he would do in a similar situation and look for his guidance and advice in a forum that is both neutral and confidential.
Virtual (7/24) Counselling
On occasion, clients need John's expertise but do not necessarily require him to be on-site in order to deliver value. These situations are dealt with through a unique arrangement where a client can reach out to John directly for confidential advice and opinion through virtual channels at any time...
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