Vital Threads

Provide Solid, Forthright Estimates

I began my career in this field working for a small firm, writing proposals and creating estimates for potential clients. I quickly learned that there are two ways a consultant can forge early relations with clients. The first is to under-bid, get the gig, and then “al a carte” the client into poverty. The second, and the one I practice, is to offer accurate, thorough, and reasonable estimates, using my established experience to account for every imaginable component of the work as it is originally presented. I then provide you with regular updates of how the work is progressing against the budget. It is my policy to have timely and candid conversations with you should the project unfold in some way that is outside of our original scope. While this approach can initially produce figures that exceed competitive proposals, it preserves our essential collaborative relationship and focuses our energies on the work and forward progress.

Build Collaborative Relationships

Twenty-plus years working inside business and consulting from the outside have provided me with vast experience, a broad skill-set, and pertinent insight with regard to the dynamics of organizations. Yet, I do not position myself to you as “the expert”, nor do I proffer a silver bullet. Instead, I view our relationship as one to which we each bring our experiences and perspectives. I simply provide the models, structures, and methodologies that allow us to collaborate and fully tap into the deep and meaningful expertise of everyone sitting at the table. And by everyone, I do mean everyone. While I understand that hierarchies exist for a reason, I have also learned that every member of an organization from the CEO to the custodial staff can provide input to provide the optimum solution. I strive to consistently “Practice the power of And” in relationships, and it has not failed me yet!

Communicate Frequently and Honestly

In keeping with my Speak your truth, hang around and take responsibility for your impact philosophy, I commit to my clients to be the kind of consultant who speaks frankly, shares information openly, and shoulders responsibility. In order to serve you, as my client, and maintain the collaborative and trusting relationship we’ve built together, I consider it my duty to speak from my mind, my heart, and my gut. I treat with equal importance my role in sorting through confusion, addressing conflicts, and cleaning up messes that might occur over the duration of our work.

See It Through

I differentiate Vital Threads Consulting by placing an emphasis on follow-through, implementation, and completion. Too often, I have walked into my first meeting with a new client to find him or her holding a 4-inch thick, meticulously bound, dust-covered report replete with detailed analyses and rigorous recommendations left by a previous consultant no longer on the scene. While I am not a miracle worker, I pride myself on finding those vital elements of our work together that will truly propel your organization from where it is to where you want it to be. Together, we find and take a manageable and sensible set of steps that best target your desired outcomes.