Essentially it's a three-phase process: Assessment. Planning. Implementation. Some clients need assistance with one or two phases, although many clients require assistance with all three. To illustrate how the process works, we offer the following actual client cases:

		Assessing cultural values. Culture Assessment as a prelude to planning and change. A not-for-profit organization committed to making win-win matches between employers and persons with disabilities describes the challenge before them: Both constituencies are bottom line oriented, especially now that state and federal funding has changed, flowing directly to persons in need of assistance. Meanwhile there is still a steep educational curve about the services and bottom line benefits provided. CultureConnects facilitated a large group session that revealed significant new insights about this organization’s culture and its deeply held values. What emerged will shape planning and the equipping of social service professionals in culturally diverse settings with effective strategies, tools and skills. Bottom line: Every organization is unique. That’s why cookie-cutter solutions have only superficial value, at best. During initial consultations, we dig deep below the surface layers of culture and formally expressed values to discover the real values, the true “roots” of the organization’s strengths—and challenges.
		Developing values-based strategic planning. Strategy formulation and planning, and implementation; and the teaming of organizational cultures—and subcultures. A large organization with multiple geographic locations asked CultureConnects to facilitate its strategic planning process. We facilitated its expression of mission, vision and values to accurately reflect internal and external cultural realities. As the organization framed strategic objectives, several cultural issues emerged. Marketing and other key functions needed to be restructured. But headquarters staff faced resistance from the leadership and staff at the satellite locations, who argued that local staff better understood local markets and needs. We facilitated a task force comprised of local and headquarters staff that shaped a win-win restructuring strategy. Bottom line: It’s called “cultural due diligence” and it’s as vital a part of merger, acquisition, restructuring and change initiatives as the rest of your due diligence efforts. Research has demonstrated that overlooking organizational culture issues during mergers, acquisitions and restructuring accounts for poorer business performance. Of 340 mergers analyzed over a ten year period, 50% of acquiring companies produced poor returns three years after deal, compared with other companies in their industry. (Source: Mercer Consulting)
		Implementing the plan. Product/service introduction to culturally distinctive markets. A national community services program with regional administrators wanted to improve its outreach to ethnic neighborhoods in an urban market. A regional program director asked CultureConnects to help. We were able to recommend a new model to “trial” in the target market; modify their existing marketing plan, including results measurement benchmarks and links to the appropriate resources; and identify new resources, including leaders and others whose partnership would be critical to forming new relationships. Bottom line: Other consulting firms may choose to provide only assessment or planning services. However clients value our ability to move from plan to implementation, as such support is needed, because it’s a results-oriented approach. What do you want to achieve? Value to you: Our service commitment. Our relationship begins with a free initial assessment you conduct and submit on this web site. A member of our consulting services staff works with you to identify the scope of the project and how success will be defined. We strive to consistently exceed client expectations. Free Evaluation
		To view client case studies, click here.
	Client satisfaction is our chief reward and the best measure of success. Here are a few commendations from letters on file. "Very impressed with the retreat…Comments from customer panel very informative. …Everyone interested and excited…Great job!" —Brown’s Orchards & Farm Market "Very well spoken…[your seminar] was a much needed subject for accountants." —National Association of Accountants—MAC "Thanks—your work is most impressive. We look forward to working with you again." —ComCast (formerly SusCom) "Success! Presentation went very well. On to…focus groups." —Dentsply "Six hours went fast…thanks, it was helpful and interesting…well-organized, on-point and on schedule…thank you for an enjoyable experience—and productive…it was a nice opportunity for board and staff to meet each other and work together…excellent exercise, well worth the time and will prove to be beneficial to the organization." —Victim Assistance Center "You bring a wealth of experience and effectively apply it to [our portfolio of services]." —Lutheran Social Services "Thanks for everything. It turned out to be a great day!" "The event made everyone feel good about the community." --Client's customer comments