“Ann, I love your Clear Thoughts newsletter. I read every edition. They’re all fantastic, and highly relevant to Medtronic.”
Paul Franson, Clinical IT Development Manager, Medtronic
more...
“I’ve never been to a retreat that was so focused, so fast paced, and with such clear progress throughout.”
Jay Primack, Managing Partner, Moriarty & Primack P.C.
more...
“I wish everyone read this book. Ann Latham’s “Uncommon Meetings” is a quick read, packed with substantive ideas on how to get more out of meetings in less time. Everyone who runs meetings should read it!”
Janet Warren, President, MarCom Capital
more...
“Ann Latham is one of the best business speakers I have heard. She is very experienced, the quality of her thinking is extremely high, and she knows how to deliver her message in an entertaining, concise, and convincing way.”
Dr. Alan G. Robinson, Isenberg School of Management, Author - "Ideas Are Free"
more...
“On a collaborative project with Boeing Phantom Works, Ann did a tremendous job in identifying the cost drivers, producibility issues, and productivity barriers of a supplier organization, all of which were impeding the success of our project.”
Ed Gerding, Chief Engineer C-17 St. Louis, The Boeing Company
more...
“Ann can help you identify the crux of a problem and solutions that will work for you. While others may be good, my 35 years of experience tells me that no one is better.”
Perry Walraven, President and CEO, Performance Controls, Inc. a Subsidiary of Hitachi Medical Corporation
more...
“Ann’s ability to simplify complex issues such that everyone understood their respective roles was a key part of her success. She truly helped us achieve profitable and predictable growth while improving the quality of our methods and processes.”
S. W. Emery, Jr., Chairman and CEO, MTS Systems Corporation
more...
“I would recommend Ann to anyone who wants to make better plans and decisions in less time and with better confidence in the outcomes.”
W. Lowell Putnam, Chairman/CSO, VCI (Video Communications, Inc.)
more...
“’Wow’ sums it up nicely. The way Ann works is impressive: she has a great handle on people, makes everyone want to work together, ensures meetings are focused and valuable, and simplifies the challenges and options so all can reach shared conclusions.”
John Heaps, President, Florence Savings Bank
more...
“You are clearly a gifted facilitator and helped us achieve some important outcomes. The ROI was there.”
Bob Fazzi, President & CEO, Fazzi Associates
more...
“Ann listens, understands, simplifies, reframes, and provides clear advice. I inevitably leave with a new perspective, better decisions, 3 - 4 specific action items, and the resolve and focus I need to get the right things done. If you are looking for a great coach, call Ann.”
Michael Niedenfuehr, Financial Planner, Cambridge Investment Research, Inc.
more...
“Ann’s book, Clear Thoughts, is the fresh, grounding breath of perspective that every executive needs in order to see clearly despite the daily chaos”
Jane Lansing, VP Marketing, Emerson Process Management
more...
“Ann uncovers common ground, creates opportunity, and guides the group to new shared conclusions in remarkably little time.”
Laurie Fenlason, Vice President for Public Affairs, Smith College
more...
“Working with a diverse group of manufacturing and design team members, Ann was able to gain consensus for improvement initiatives, win over even the skeptical, and move the team forward toward production-readiness.”
Dana Badgerow, General Manager, AeroMet Corporation
more...
“After working with Ann, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her to anyone in need of a strategy, plan, arbitration, facilitation, etc.”
Chuck McCullagh, CFO, The Williston Northampton School
more...
“Ann Latham transformed our thinking about how our organization works. This discovery led us to a strategic model that solves our pain and opens new opportunities. She truly lives up to her brand of ‘uncommon clarity.’”
Suzanne Beck, Executive Director, Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce
more...
“Ann is a captivating speaker, providing important principles in an approachable, common-sense way. Our audience enjoyed her depth and breadth of knowledge.”
Aimee Griffin Munnings, Esq., Director, Western New England College Law and Business Center for Advancing Entrepreneurship
more...
“The process that our committee engaged in was outstanding and the outcome of our work is truly exceptional.”
Russell Peotter, General Manager, WGBY - Public Television for Western New England
more...
“Ann’s work with us helped change the direction of three units very set in their ways and has opened up a myriad of possibilities for growth in the future.”
Joan Schuman, Executive Director, Hampshire Educational Collaborative
more...
“The time and stress saved by one phone call with Ann was astounding.”
Rev. Johanna McCune Wagner, Director of Religious Life, The Culver Academies
more...
Every organization would benefit from the material found in Ann’s audio seminar, “Meeting Mastery.”
Chuck Hatch, General Manager, Packaging Corporation of America
more...
Receive Our Complimentary Newsletter
How to Select a Consultant
I am a consultant so you may think this article is all about how to select me. You’d be wrong. I only want you to select me if the fit is right. As a matter of fact, I will not even propose that we work together unless:
- I believe I understand your objectives
- I believe I can help you achieve your objectives
- I believe you are serious about taking action and investing in your future
But a good fit is mutual and your interests in selecting a consultant mirror mine. You likely want a consultant who:
- You believe understands your objectives
- You believe is able to help you achieve your objectives
- You believe is honestly committed to improving your condition
While the decision ultimately comes down to trust, here are ten things to watch for as you sit down with a promising consultant to talk about working together.
- The consultant listens to you and doesn’t do all the talking. How can someone understand what you need if they do all the talking?
- The consultant takes the time to ask you good questions about your situation, challenges and concerns, and helps you to look at things in new ways.
- The consultant keeps the focus on business outcomes, not deliverables. You need results, not recommendations, plans, assessments, or documentation. A heavy, dust-collecting binder is not a business outcome and thickness is rarely a good measure of success.
- The consultant gets beyond intangibles and determines specifically what must change in order to improve your situation. For example, “improved teamwork” is too nebulous. However, getting your staff to behave differently so that fewer decisions land on your desk allowing you to tackle more important things is a measurable and valuable outcome.
-
The consultant does not try to sell you on their tool, methodology or solution. This is a really important point for 3 reasons.
- First, consultants who are wedded to one solution are not really listening to you. They think they have the world’s greatest hammer, so to them everything looks like a nail.
- Secondly, consultants intent on one solution probably have only one arrow in their quiver. The best consultants have a full quiver and stand out because of their ability to choose and adapt as each situation dictates.
- Thirdly, consultants who assume that you need their “solution” before really understanding your situation and objectives are simply arrogant, shallow or stupid.
- The consultant tries to establish complete agreement on measures of project success so that all parties will be clear about what constitutes project completion.
- The consultant quotes you a flat fee for a well-defined project. Most consultants charge by the hour. Why should your expenses go up if the consultant is slow or ineffective? A consultant who charges a project fee knows that both parties win if the results are achieved quickly.
- The consultant delves into the implications of the project so both parties have a shared understanding of the magnitude, significance, and value to the organization.
- The consultant provides testimonials from people willing to include their name and company or references whom you may contact.
- The consultant demonstrates reliability and professionalism in everything from being on time for appointments to producing a well-written proposal, from returning calls promptly to following up as promised. A consultant who is lax when trying to win your trust is not a good bet for anything.
© 2009 Ann Latham. All rights reserved.