“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

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“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.

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“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

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“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"

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“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

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“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

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“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

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“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.)

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“’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

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“You are clearly a gifted facilitator and helped us achieve some important outcomes.  The ROI was there.”

Bob Fazzi, President & CEO, Fazzi Associates

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“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.

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“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

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“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

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“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

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“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

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“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

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“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

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“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

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“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

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“The time and stress saved by one phone call with Ann was astounding.”

Rev. Johanna McCune Wagner, Director of Religious Life, The Culver Academies

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Every organization would benefit from the material found in Ann’s audio seminar, “Meeting Mastery.”

Chuck Hatch, General Manager, Packaging Corporation of America

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Clear Thoughts™ Newsletter Archive

May 2012

Does the Word "Accountability" Make You Squirm?
Could Your Meetings Be Shorter and More Powerful?
What is Your Company's Driving Force?
Ann's Parting Thoughts - Perhaps You Like Poor Meetings

April 2012

Take the Clarity Quiz - When Not to Use Email
Monitoring Progress the Wrong Way
Generation Nonsense
Ann's Parting Thoughts - Being Decisive

March 2012

Take the Clarity Quiz - How Often Should You Do Strategic Planning?
Don't Listen to Your Customers
What is Holding You Back?
Ann's Parting Thoughts - The Value of Diversity

February 2012

Take the Clarity Quiz - a la Sesame Street
Don't Decide and Act
One Down, Eleven to Go
Ann's Parting Thoughts - It's Courage that Counts

January 2012

The Top Few Priorities
To Be, Not Just To Do
Making Your Resolutions Stick
Ann's Parting Thoughts - Find the Reason to Smile

December 2011

Are Best Practices the Holy Grail?
Too Many Interruptions?
May I Ask This Question?
Ann's Parting Thoughts - How to Succeed

November 2011

Three Questions to Ask Today
Is That Your Indecision Box?
Quoth the Raven, 'Nevermore'
Ann's Parting Thoughts - Creating Complexity

October 2011

Take the Clarity Quiz - What One Factor is Most Essential to Great Meetings?
Don't Throw Your Customer Under the Bus!
Is It Time to Fire that Employee?
Ann's Parting Thoughts - What Exactly is the Problem?

September 2011

Take the Clarity Quiz - Who's Responsible for Profits?
That's Not Running!
Who is Responsible for Profitability?
Ann's Parting Thoughts - Things Aren't As Bad As You Think

August 2011

Take the Clarity Quiz - Best Defense for Feeling Stupid?
Why You Shouldn't Feel Stupid
Lessons from the Debt Fiasco
Ann's Parting Thoughts - Patience or Indecision?

July 2011

10 Signs of Insufficient Strategic Clarity
Take the Clarity Quiz - Dealing with Overload
Clear the Decks for Greater Productivity
Ann's Parting Thoughts - Comfort Zones

June 2011

Worst Mistake You Can Make When Overloaded
Save Money - Skip the Training!
Killing a Killer Bad Habit
Ann's Parting Thoughts - How to Hire the Best

May 2011

Phenomenal Focus Finishes First
Take the Clarity Quiz! - Joe Has a Bad Attitude
The Unscratchable Itch
Ann's Parting Thoughts - Unleashing Talent and Energy

April 2011

You Know Less Than You Think
Take the Clarity Quiz! - Where Would You Hide An Elephant?
There is No 'C' in SWOT
Ann's Parting Thoughts - Ignore the Past At Your Peril

March 2011

Uncommon Clarity in Tracking Progress
Are You Guilty of Starting at the Beginning?
What If You Had Another Month Every Year?
Ann's Parting Thoughts - Hearing Better

February 2011

Uncommon Clarity in Delegating
Short on Patience?
Please! No More Good Ideas!
Ann's Parting Thoughts - Where's the Nearest Exit?

January 2011

Uncommon Clarity in the New Year
Defogging the Indecisive
Create Energy with Clarity
Ann's Parting Thoughts - It Takes a Company

December 2010

The Bridge of Sighs
The Power of Explicit Roles
Are Your Weeks Still Slip-sliding Away?
Leaders Don't Wait and Seven Other Traits
Why SMART Goals Aren't Smart
Finding More Time

October 2010

The Good News First
The Mouse that Roared
Does "Slip Sliding Away" Describe Your Week?
Fool Proof to Death

August 2010

Winning IS Everything - How to Find and Hone Your Competitive Edge
"Poor Communication" - What Does It Really Mean?
How to Save Hours and Dollars
On Facebook?
"My Dentist's Son Just Married Your Niece"

June 2010

How to Create Commitment and When to Break It
Mid-Year Report Card
Captain of Your Own Ship
Inspiration in a Bottle

April 2010

Can We Help You? 
Top Twelve Strategic Perils 
Hire Warnings 
The Golden Rule in the Age of Diversity

February 2010

10 Tips for Smarter Email 
Too Much To Do? 
Would This Help You? 
On Change

December 2009

Handy Trumps Good 
You Haven’t Moved Yet! 
Self-esteem or Self-delusion? 
Five Years!

October 2009

Idea Eaters 
Humdrum, Pep Fest, or Results? 
Pessimism, Poetry, and Trouble

August 2009

You Are Not Me 
8 Tips for Project Management Excellence 
T or F? Goats Climb Trees 
Fleeting, Isn’t It?

June 2009

The Fear that Refreshes 
Love My Newsletter? 
10 Tips for Productive Meetings 
Perspective and Strength

April 2009

Too Much To Do? 
Recession Opportunities 
Don’t Emulate the Fed 
Ire and Self-esteem

February 2009

Innovate, Differentiate, and Thrive 
“Yes, but …” 
Porcupines and Ponzi Schemes 
Enthusiasm, Imagination, and Facts

Holiday Edition 2008

Conjuring Up Success 
Refuse to be Miserable! 
The Sky is NOT Falling 
My Wishes for You 
Keeping Perspective

November 2008

Survival of the Fittest? 
Avoid Grumps and Whiners! 
Uncommon Clarity Goes Solar! 
Learning Optimism

September 2008

Assumptions Can Be Deafening 
Shedding Assumptions 
“It’s the Economy, Stupid!” 
Breaking Through

July 2008

Keep Your Mission to Yourself! 
Improvement Folly 
The Power of Learning 
Failure Options

May 2008

Fair Process 
Benefits of a Downturn 
Willingness to Take Advice 
Miracles

March 2008

Avoiding Decisions 
The Stop-Doing List 
Losing by Winning 
Ill-defined Goals

January 2008

The Toad Less Traveled 
Speaking Confidence < $100 
Years Flying By? 
New Year’s Resolutions

November 2007

Agility and Resilience 
No Geeks? No Geniuses? No Problem! 
Welcome Evidence 
Doubt

September 2007

Quality is NOT a Strategy 
Is Top Service a Top Priority? 
Made To Stick 
Boundary Waters Lesson

July 2007

Better, Lucky, Someone’s Habit? 
Fixing Bad Attitudes 
Give Your Homing Pigeon a Home? 
Trust, Commitment, Cooperation

May 2007

Is Operation Excellence the Enemy of Strategic Breakthrough? 
Gold-Plating Tendencies 
Trusting the Future

March 2007

When Irrelevance is Irrelevant 
You, the Exemplar 
Mental Aerobics 
Swim or Stand?

Winter - 2006 - 2007

Aaarrgghh! 
Top Down and Bottom Up 
Start at the Beginning, but …

Fall - 2006

A Secret Formula for Answering Tough Questions 
Interruptions Reconsidered 
Motivated by Money? 
Frogs and Time Management 
And My Response

Summer - 2006

Poised to Thrill? 
Beads on a String 
Energy Sinks and Energizers 
‘Good’ as a Differentiator

Spring - 2006

Lazy? Incompetent? Clueless? 
The Evils of Meetings 
Who’s in the Driver’s Seat?

Winter - 2005 - 2006

Keep It Simple 
Find the Method in the Madness 
One View of Education

Fall - 2005

A Lesson from a Book I Didn’t Read 
Feeling Buried? Time to Regroup! 
Wisdom

Summer - 2005

Clarify the Objectives 
First, Break All The Rules 
What Is Success?

“Ann, your newsletter is great!  Always has useful, quickly applied information for leaders and teams. You pack a lot in a 3 minute read!”

Ingrid Bredenberg, M.A., Strategic Coach for leaders and teams, Bredenberg Associates

“Thank you, Ann. For listening and not judging. For always sharing a warm word and a smile. For your amazing newsletter; there is always something that speaks directly to me. Every month, when I open my inbox and see your name, I am thrilled with anticipation and excited to read your creative and concise advice.  Thank you for sharing your lessons with the world!”

L'Tanya T. Robinson, Director of Development, The Montessori School of Northampton