“I’ve dealt with a lot of consultants in my career and Ann is the best at what she does. This project had a great return on investment.” more ...
Bill Ward, President & CEO, Regional Employment Board of Hampden County
more...
“Ann, thank you for this session. It was the most amazing and provocative session I have ever had here at the ASTD. Thank you very much!” more ...
Marcos Rojas, Brazil, talking about my presentation at the 2013 ASTD International Conference
more...
“When I need pragmatic changes that will stick, I call Ann. I know I’m going to get what we need. Whatever she would say about herself, I would say she is too modest. She’s the best.” more ...
Perry Walraven, President and CEO, Performance Controls, Inc. a Subsidiary of Hitachi Medical Corporation
more...
“On a collaborative project with Boeing Phantom Works, Ann did a tremendous job in identifying cost drivers, producibility issues, and productivity barriers of a supplier organization.” more ...
Ed Gerding, Chief Engineer C-17 St. Louis, The Boeing Company
more...
“‘Uncommon Meetings’ is a must read for everyone in any organization, not just top management.”
Al Kasper, President & COO, Savage Sports Corporation
more...
“Ann Latham is one of the best business speakers I have heard.” more ...
Dr. Alan G. Robinson, Isenberg School of Management, Author - "Corporate Creativity: How Innovation & Improvement Actually Happen"
more...
“Ann’s book, Clear Thoughts, is the fresh, grounding breath of perspective every executive needs.” more ...
Jane Lansing, VP Marketing, Emerson Process Management
more...
“Ann truly helped us achieve profitable, predictable growth while improving the quality of our methods and processes.” more ...
S. W. Emery, Jr., Chairman and CEO, MTS Systems Corporation
more...
“Ann uncovers common ground, creates opportunity, and guides the group to shared conclusions in remarkably little time.” more ...
Laurie Fenlason, Vice President for Public Affairs, Smith College
more...
“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 hadn’t realized how entrenched I was in so many time-wasting habits until Ann Latham made them transparent.” more ...
Jim Goodwin, CEO, Center for Human Development
more...
“If you haven’t worked with Ann, heard her speak, or subscribed to her newsletter, you are missing a great opportunity!” more ...
Suzanne Bates, CEO, Bates Communication
more...
“I would recommend Ann to anyone who wants to make better plans and decisions with greater speed and confidence.” more ...
W. Lowell Putnam, Chairman/CSO, VCI (Video Communications, Inc.)
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...
“’Wow’ sums it up nicely.” more ...
John Heaps, President, Florence Savings Bank
more...
“Ann identifies the crux of a problem and solutions that work for you. No one is better.” more ...
Perry Walraven, President and CEO, Performance Controls, Inc. a Subsidiary of Hitachi Medical Corporation
more...
“Ann’s presentation on improving productivity would be valuable for anybody, including CEOs.” more ...
Linda Sullivan, CEO, NEMT
more...
“Working with diverse technical team members, Ann was able to gain consensus and win over even the skeptical.”
Dana Badgerow, General Manager, AeroMet Corporation
more...
“Ann has planning an effective meeting down to a science and… it works!” more ...
Dan L. Gibbons, Principal, Gibbons & Associates Consulting
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...
“Ann is simply outstanding at moving a group to a strong conclusion.” more ...
Chuck McCullagh, CFO, The Williston Northampton School
more...
“Ann transformed our thinking about how our organization works. She truly lives up to her brand of ‘uncommon clarity.’” more ...
Suzanne Beck, Executive Director, Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce
more...
“The process that our committee engaged in was outstanding and the outcome of our work is truly exceptional.” more ...
Russell Peotter, General Manager, WGBY - Public Television for Western New England
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...
Receive Our Complimentary Newsletter
Save Money - Skip the Training!
My head swiveled at the sound of my name. "That woman Ann was just FABULOUS!" I was walking down the hallway after presenting "Sometimes a Great Project - 8 Uncommon Secrets for Repeatable Excellence."
I am accustomed to enthusiastic audiences but that outburst was pretty special. So what caused it?
One of the things I know this group really appreciated was that I did not tell them to do more of the same - a little better, a little longer, a little faster, and a little harder. Instead, I gave them eight ways of looking at things differently so they could join the mere 5% who actually finish projects on time and on budget.
Since that day, I've talked to several attendees and the response is universal. They loved the ideas but have been too buried to figure out how to apply them. This is extremely common. Few companies excel at transforming ideas into improved practice and actual results.
When Hitachi hired me to improve their design processes, I didn't amaze them with new ideas and leave. Instead, I:
- Changed their perspectives
- Made them see what they weren't seeing
- Presented new approaches
- Helped them identify the ideas that would add the most value within their environment, and then,
- Integrated those ideas into their daily practices so that they actually realized the benefits they were seeking.
After some initial instruction and group facilitation, I also coached them for a period of time until they had established new, workable habits.
If done well, this takes surprisingly little time. And it isn't about adding work; it's about changing the way you work. Arguments that everyone is too busy to improve are ridiculous. The sooner you begin, the more time you will have.
But if you aren't ready to take this approach, you might as well save your money and skip the training!
© 2011 Ann Latham. All RIghts Reserved.