Kennedy Corner
»The Water’s Nice; Jump In
The market for new market entry strategy consulting is about resources and incentives. It’s a not too hot, not too cold, but just right equation.
»The New War For Talent
When a meteorite blazed through the morning skies of central Russia in mid-February and exploded, the news media described it as a rare event. And it was. Fast forward one month and just about every government in the world is looking at the potential for a "rare event" to visit their borders, and wringing their hands over how to prepare for it.
»Here Comes Patient-Centric Health
U.S consumers are accustomed to choices. We often take for granted our ability to select products, price points and preferred channels. Why, then, do we as patients expect anything less from our healthcare providers?
»The Market Always Finds a Way
In the 1993 Steven Spielberg film Jurassic Park, the protagonists discovered at one point (to their horror) that the island’s dinosaurs, which had all been created the same gender, had somehow managed to reproduce. “Life always finds a way,” muttered Sam Neill’s character Dr. Alan Grant.
»2012 in Review, and a Look Ahead
Looking back, several market forces propelled global consulting demand, causing firms and clients to undertake larger and more ambitious engagements than in recent years. The rapidly changing nature of client needs and the continued evolution of provider capabilities converged around some key themes.
»Change and Collaboration—The Rx For a Healthy Life Sciences Industry
For many of us in the U.S., it’s time to update healthcare benefit selections and learn of new or revised healthcare insurance plan offerings, options, and features. In many ways, the change and complexity we face as end users reflects the upstream challenges facing the healthcare industry at large.
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Travel Advisory
»FAA: ‘Staffing Challenges’ Causing Delays
In case you haven’t noticed, non-weather related delays at U.S. airports are on the rise. (And I know you’ve noticed that weather-related delays are definitely on the rise.)
»Hilton’s Building Boom
Coming off a whirlwind 2012, Hilton Worldwide is the fastest growing global hospitality company by number of rooms.
»Extended Stay America Serves Up Free Breakfasts With ‘Grab and Go’
Extended Stay America launched a new Grab and Go Breakfast program, which is available seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at all of its more than 600 locations.
»Homewood Suites Survey: Comfort is King
A new survey of frequent business travelers found that they want more room to spread out, the ability to maintain a normal routine and opportunities to interact with business associates and fellow travelers.
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Book It!
»Excerpt: Finding Your Firm’s Growth Engine
The following is an excerpt from Leading Firms: How Great Professional Service Firms Succeed & How Your Firm Can Too by David C. Kuhlman. In the book, Kuhlman distills 25 years of
experience advising senior management at some of the world’s most prominent consulting firms. This excerpt from Chapter Six: “The Growth Engine” explores two of the key factors driving growth in the most successful firms.
»Excerpt: The Online Marketing Revolution
The following is an excerpt from Online Marketing for Professional Services, a thought-provoking and practical approach to online marketing by authors Aaron E. Taylor, Sylvia Montgomery, Sean T. McVey and Lee W. Frederiksen.
»Review: Tipping Sacred Cows
We all have those sacred cows at work, but these nuggets of advice, in practice, can lead to career-limiting unintended consequences.
»Review: Playing to Win
If strategy is about creating a competitive advantage that allows a firm to win, then pinpointing your strategy to just a few choices will dramatically increase your chances of success.
»Review: Seeing the Big Picture
According to Kevin Cope, founder of Acumen Learning and author of Seeing the Big Picture, all companies are driven to success or failure by the same five simple drivers—cash, profit, assets, growth and people
»Review: Get Lucky
As the pace of change accelerates and the volume of information explodes, everyone is under great pressure to connect with the people and ideas we need to thrive.
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Information Technology
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22
2011
»The 2011 Best Small Firms to Work For: 11) Plus Consulting
For Steve Smith, Managing Partner of Plus Consulting, the most unique aspect of the firm is its people. “The belief in the work hard/play hard mentality brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds who work not only as a team but interact outside the office, as well,” Smith says.
It’s that type of camaraderie that leads to employee-organized social events after hours. The result? Building a culture that most other firms can only dream about. Another payoff is being a Best Small Firm to Work For three years running.
Smith attributes the firm’s success, in part, to two key differentiators—“competitive collaboration” and a “never-fail mentality” when dealing with customers. “Clients are pleasantly surprised when their consultant from Plus becomes part of their team and quickly adds value,” he says. “Our clients view us as their trusted advisors, knowledgeable about the products and services we offer over many-year partnerships.”
On the survey, Plus Consulting outpaced much of the competition in the areas of Client Engagement and Career Development. In recent years, Smith says, Plus has grown as a company by adopting a formal mentorship program and by making significant investments in training, far above industry norms. That, in turn has led to high retention rates, thus “enabling us to serve our customers with a more consistent approach,” Smith says. “The two concepts truly do blend together, if you have a high turnover rate, the client experience is affected greatly.”
As far as 2012, Smith says he’s excited because the firm has made significant investments in new and emerging technology, enabling it to stay ahead of the curve and positioning itself ahead of the competition. “We have the experience and capabilities to deliver mission critical solutions for enterprise customers,” Smith says.
—J.K.
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