Advance Consulting -- Newsletters

	Read our online newsletters here, or subscribe and we will email each new issue directly to you. 2008
		Building Group-Level Partnerships June 2008 Building group-level partnerships in government and business is more essential than ever. No group or person can do it alone. Here are some areas for consideration.
		Influence – Constructive or Destructive February 2008 What we choose to use will make all the difference in the quality of our personal lives, our experience at work, the performance of our companies, and the state of our world.
	2007
		Developing Customer Focused Products and Services November 2007 A business’ ability to be customer focused depends on its ability and willingness to integrate customer focus into its organization, operations and individuals.
		Building Customer Focused Organizations - A Consultant's Secret October 2007 If you want to understand how an organization works, follow the money. If you want to understand how an organization is “broken”, find the places within it where responsibility and control are out of alignment. A classic example of misalignment.
		Developing Customer Focused Organizations September 2007 What is a customer focused organization? This newsletter offers some perspective on what makes an organzation customer focused and some tips on what you can do to help your own organization improve in this area.
		Developing Customer Focused Operations May 2007 How do we drive our businesses to become more customer focused? The journey to becoming customer focused involves all parts of an organization, including: individuals, operations, organizational culture and structure and products and services. The answer is a very interesting paradox!
		Developing Customer Focused People January 2007 Many companies and organizations are striving to enhance customer focus in some fashion. To successfully implement customer focus, we have found that businesses need to focus on incorporating the customer into four areas.
	2006
		What to Consider When Implementing Customer Focus December 2006 Most organizations make the claim that they are customer focused or customer centered (who wouldn’t?), yet some look more customer focused than others. Unfortunately, it’s not enough to simply make a decision to become customer focused.
		The Drive to Become Customer Focused November 2006 Every organization seems to be talking about becoming customer-focused, customer-centric, or customer-centered. What is creating the intense interest? Why are so many companies concentrating on creating a customer focused strategy? What is triggering all of this?
		The Need for Enhanced Consulting Skills October 2006 Listening to the voice of our customers, we recognized that enhanced consulting skills are skills personalized to the individual, their circumstance, and their experience level in their particular profession.
		The Perfect Storm - Outsourcing and the Vendor/Client Relationship September 2006 What vendors can do to prepare for and manage an outsourcing relationship. For a client/vendor relationship to be successful, all involved employees must adopt the mindset of “business partner.”
		The Perfect Storm - Outsourcing as a Strategy for Globalization August 2006 Globalization is impacting most organizations. This competitive landscape has become international. The need to do it better, faster and cheaper is driving companies to look for global solutions. But, in order to achieve the promised advantages of outsourcing, teams of people from different companies must work together for a common cause.
		The Perfect Storm - Pressure Builds for Custom Solutions July 2006 Our customers’ needs are dynamic, their challenges are unique to their circumstances, and effective solutions are becoming increasingly complex. No one person can do this job effectively. However, moving from a one-man band to a well orchestrated team can have its challenges.
		The Perfect Storm - Bridging Silos in the Eye of the Perfect Storm June 2006 Traditionally organized companies tend to work in functional silos. When people are assigned to a cross functional team, their primary allegiance remains with the silo. Problems occur when team leaders are not empowered to make decisions, reporting relationships are not clear and buy-in across departments is not obtained.
		The Perfect Storm - Employee Competency to Weather the Storm May 2006 This storm is creating intense pressure affecting our businesses and people. Organizations that will flourish in these rough waters will be those that develop people with the competencies needed to support high-performing teams in dynamic and virtual work environments.
		The Perfect Storm - Keep Your Organization On Course April 2006 A Perfect Storm is brewing across the waters of today’s business environment. Its effect will increasingly impact virtually every company and government agency.
		Feedback –The Fuel for Organizational Improvement March 2006 We typically think about “feedback” on an individual level. But feedback is also a tool for improving the performance of the entire organization. It is the fuel for ongoing organizational improvement.
		Feedback –The Fuel for Continuous Improvement February 2006 Feedback is an essential tool that, when well timed and appropriately delivered, can significantly impact individual performance as well as organizational performance.
		Creating a Team Culture Where Everyone Wins January 2006 A Major enabler of High Performance Teams is the Team Culture. Creating a “Team Culture” goes beyond communication, trust, and teamwork and involves addressing the needs of two different groups—the organization and the teams.
	2005
		Are We On The Same Page? December 2005 Most teams recognize the need to make sure everyone has the same vision and goals before moving into action. But what distinguishes high performance teams during the planning process?
		It’s The People Who Make the Difference November 2005 High Performance Teams know that in order to be successful, time must be spent on developing the individuals on the team - focusing on “the people” component.
		Creating High Performance Teams October 2005 To compete in today’s rapidly changing domestic and global markets, organizations are increasingly relying on teams. How do we create High Performance Teams?
		The Looming Workforce Shift—How To Prepare For The Retirement Of Baby Boomers September 2005 It is important that organizations plan now for the inevitable retirement of their baby boomer employees. A look at succession planning and transition.
		Our New President and CEO August 2005 We are pleased to announce that Greg Baker has become the new President and CEO of Advance Consulting, Inc.
		Provide Exceptional Service July 2005 To retain and attract new customers/clients not only do you need a great product or service, but you must also deliver a positive work experience.
		Delivering Results June 2005 Your ability to deliver results can either make or break your business relationships. Your clients come to you because they trust that you can deliver on your promises.
		Understanding Business Needs and Goals May 2005 Understanding the business needs and goals of your clients is an integral part of building business relationships. This involves not only uncovering your customers' needs, wants, and concerns but also understanding the overall business strategy and goals.
		Building Your Network April 2005 With customer expectations increasing, products and solutions becoming more complex, and customer retention becoming more crucial, the need for a strong network both internally and externally is essential.
		Establishing Credibility March 2005 Nowadays, credibility is something that is earned and once you have it, you can have more productive discussions around issues and solutions. Establishing credibility takes dedication and determination.
		Jumpstart Your Business Relationships February 2005 Whatever your role, internal or external consultant, manager, team leader, or team member—your success is dependent upon your ability to nurture and develop relationships with others (both inside and outside of your organization).
		Leading in the New Year January 2005 As a leader or manager, the start of the new year is an excellent time to gather with your work group or team to set joint New Year’s resolutions and goals.
	2004
		5-Minute Consultative Mindset Workout December 2004 Instead of feeling anxiety or stress, we suggest you take 5 minutes each morning to reflect on your day and get yourself in a Consultative Mindset.
		Leaders as Coaches November 2004 In today’s complex business environment, effective leaders and managers recognize the importance of developing their employees’ capabilities. Developing others requires leaders and managers to apply their coaching skills.
		Creating Strong Partnerships in order to Lead Teams October 2004 An effective leader, at any level, knows that they cannot achieve results alone. Achieving results requires the knowledge and talent from everyone on your team.
		Developing Leaders at All Levels September 2004 Many companies realize that the leadership competencies of their employees, from the front-line to executives, are their most important source of competitive advantage.
		Providing Value Beyond Knowledge August 2004 Providing knowledge about your particular area of expertise is not enough when working consultatively. To truly partner with your client requires more than providing “technical” knowledge.
		Developing Commitment July 2004 Commitment is not something that is just given to you, it is something that must be earned. Every interaction you have with your client can bring you one step closer to gaining their commitment.
		Encouraging Open Communication June 2004 Your ability to encourage open and complete communication with your client is critical to your partnerships survival and growth.
		Building Trust May 2004 To truly build successful business partnerships, requires the ability to work with clients in such a way that earns their trust and commitment.
		Unlocking Your Business Partnering Potential With Internal Clie know that ultimately, we must serve our outside “customer.” However, it is equally important for us to look at our internal business relationships.
		Increasing Your ROI—The Need for Coaching Following Training February 2004 How can you get the most return for your training investment and increase long-term retention of skills learned?
		What’s New at Advance Consulting January 2004 With a new year upon us, we thought we would take this opportunity to let you know of some of our new offerings and areas of focus for 2004.


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