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For over 30 years, I have been learning and practicing a wide range of specialized skills used in managing successful organizations. I use these skills to help managers solve problems and make improvements in their business.
My goal is to provide cost effective services and personalized management coaching to help you deal with business challenges. I focus on planning, problem solving and performance improvements to achieve better operations and results.
I choose to work primarily with small businesses and not-for-profit organizations. They fill an important role in our community, but do not have the resources to retain large consulting firms or hire their own management specialists.
Small business and not-for-profit organizations have many similar challenges and some needs that require specialized approaches. When working with either, I make the appropriate "translations and adjustments" to meet their unique requirements.
Please continue for more information about my services. If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact me by phone or email.
Did you know that the average company wastes up to 25% of its resources on unsolved problems or inefficient systems? To survive and be competitive, companies are challenged to provide quality products, programs or services at lower cost. Successful companies, big and small, constantly look for ways to solve problems and improve productivity and profitability.
As an owner or manager of a small business or not-for-profit organization, you work hard at achieving success and spend a great deal of time and attention on your core products or services. Your company or organization may not have the opportunity or resources to develop the skills needed to deal with every possible business situation.
Hiring a management consultant and coach can be a cost effective way to acquire the specialized skills needed for your business.
A sound business decision:
- What does it cost if things are not working the way they should?
- Are you getting the most out of your business' limited resources?
- A good business coach will add value by reducing expenses or improving results.
- If you are sure you know the best solution to a problem or the best way to improve performance, you do not need a consultant.
- If expert advice will help you solve or prevent costly problems or produce better results, it may be a good decision to seek assistance.
Could your company use some expert help to deal with its most difficult situations?
My goal is to be your first choice when you need specialized help.
Whether you need a one hour problem solving session, a facilitated weekend planning retreat, or occasional help from an “on-call” consultant, there is a service to meet your specific needs and budget.
Services Customized for Your Business
Every small business or non-profit has unique needs that can't be addressed with cookie-cutter solutions. I focus on helping you with individually tailored services in the areas of Planning, Problem Solving, and Performance Improvements. By matching services to the unique needs of your company, I provide more value than generic consulting services or costly seminars and training sessions.
Focus areas include:
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Leadership / Management Development
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Business Goals, Strategies, Plans
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Quality Products / Services
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Information and Measurement Systems
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Work Methods and System Design
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Human Resource Development
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Improved Business Results
Here are some examples of areas where consulting services and business coaching can help you get more out of your business:
Plan for Growth and Success
Design efficient work methods
and business systems
Facilitate more productive business meetings and planning sessions
Establish or update a focused business plan with long- and short-term goals
and objectives
Coach senior leaders and supervisors to expand their management skills
Identify strategies for the survival and growth of your organization or
business
Coach managers on business development
Find Creative Solutions to Old Problems and New Challenges
Prevent or solve personnel
issues
React quickly to changes in your markets, services or business environment
Use proven and effective methods for better decision making
Resolve conflicts with customers, clients, suppliers or stakeholders
Increase employee teamwork
Help managers address problems with products, programs or services
Solve employee or work team performance problems
Improve relationships with customers, clients, suppliers and stakeholders
Improve Performance of People, Programs, Products, Services and Systems
Redesign or improve services,
programs, products and business systems for better results
Improve customer service and client loyalty
Help you identify and track your critical business processes and results
Recruit and retain valuable employees
Develop highly skilled managers
Improve the motivation and performance of individuals and teams
Provide training on business development and performance management
Service Goal
My goal is to provide cost effective and personalized business solutions that meet the unique needs of your company and make the best use of your valuable time and business resources.
My Clients Know That I …
- Am committed to understanding and meeting their unique needs
- Ask how I can help them be more successful
- Work effectively with organizations who are experiencing problems
- Develop systems for lasting improvements
- Help them use existing strengths and resources to achieve better results
- Do not tell them how to run their business, but help them decide how to make it better
- Do not use "cookie cutter" solutions, and have a large "toolkit" of proven methods
- Draw on a number of areas of expertise and a wide range of technical skills
Establish a Coaching or Service Plan to Fit Your Budget:
I start with a brief informational meeting or phone call to discuss the services you need, make sure my methods will work for you, and select a course of action to fit your budget.
Based on our assessment of the issues and your budget, I will recommend a course of action and estimate the amount of time required.
For services of a brief nature, we can proceed immediately.
For more extensive services or scheduled events, we will discuss the scope of services and I will draft a proposed service plan and budget for your review and approval.
Assistance can be provided on a one-time, intermittent, or ongoing basis:
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You may only need a brief meeting to solve a problem or coach you in a specialized skill.
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You may want "on call" technical expertise and management support available when you encounter new business challenges.
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You may want ongoing assistance with business planning and performance improvements.
Note: If you need assistance in an area outside of my expertise, I will be happy to refer you to another resource.
Organizational Development
With 30 years experience in public agencies, business, and non-profits, I worked the last five years as an internal management consultant for a state agency with 600 employees and a $35 million annual budget, as well as doing consulting and facilitation work for other parts of the agency.
Business Management
Many concepts of effective business management can be tailored to the unique environment of small businesses. I have operated several small businesses, and understand the unique challenges. With over 15 years in management positions (including administrator of a state office with responsibility for 60 employees a $3.5 mil. annual budget), I am experienced in managing both large and small organizations.
Not-For-Profit Management
I have participated in non-profit startups (including a treatment center for victims of sexual abuse and a neighborhood based community building organization) and have served on the boards of several non-profit organizations. During my public sector career, I worked with numerous not-for-profit and educational institutions as a partner agency representative or to manage contracted services. I studied non-profit management and ran a treatment program in a non-profit mental health center.
Quality Improvement
I was originally trained in Total Quality Management in 1992, and served on several task forces and committees for state government. I am a member of the Washington State Quality Award, and served as an Examiner in 2001. I worked for five years as regional consultant for a state agency, helping to design and steer the implementation of improved management methods. Although not the only approach I use, this area of expertise provides a strong base of tools and techniques for improving products, services and systems.
Facilitation and Meeting Management
I received formal group facilitation training in 1975 and since then have regularly conducted team and management meetings, process improvement groups, and business planning retreats. I am able to use expert facilitation and intervention skills to work effectively with groups of all types and functioning levels.
Counseling and Problem Solving
With training and experience in individual counseling, mental health therapy, family therapy, and group treatment methods, I am skilled in dealing with both individuals and groups of employees. I have extensive training in many areas of Human Resource management and experience in solving a wide range of personnel issues.
Information Technology
I studied IT planning and have a strong interest in the effective use of Information Technology to support business in achieving success. I have scoped and implemented IT systems and do basic network management for my own business and a non-profit organization.
Education
Masters in Public Administration; Univ. of Washington, 1997; Organizational Development
Masters in Social Work; University of Washington, 1987; Clinical work and counseling
Selected MBA courses; Western Washington University 1990-92; Economics, finance, business management
For one-time or intermittent services, I bill for direct service hours (and reasonable travel costs for "out of area" clients).
For ongoing services or scheduled events, I will draft a proposed service plan and budget for your review.
When possible, I establish a cap on billable hours to help you predict costs for larger projects.
Contact
Information
ward@urbanassetsllc.com
(206) 660-3515