A Sample of Projects with Uncommon Results
We helped a subsidiary of a large corporation and a suppllier to
Boeing make the transition from a small, ad-hoc
R&D shop to a disciplined organization capable of repeatable
processes able to deliver quality parts on time. Specific results
included quality, cost and productivity improvements along with
their first booked production order and AS9100 registration.
"On a collaborative project with Boeing Phantom Works, Ann
did a tremendous job in identifying the cost drivers, producibility
issues, and productivity barriers of a supplier organization, all
of which were impeding the success of our project. With Ann helping
to provide the focus and oversight, the supplier was able to meet
their commitments for quality, cost, and schedule."
Ed Gerding, Chief Engineer C-17 St. Louis, The
Boeing Company
For a subsidiary of Hitachi Medical Corporation,
we provided the engineers with new tools, process, and mindset to
significantly reduce product defects introduced in the electrical,
mechanical, and software design process.
"Ann has a knack for working with groups, identifying
key issues, exploring alternative solutions and, best of all, implementing
solutions that work.
Ann recognizes that “best practice” may not be
“best approach” for her clients, and when it is not,
her working knowledge of alternative approaches will result in a
solution that will be better than “best” because it
works for you, in your plant, with your people.
Ann can help you identify the crux of a problem and solutions
that will work for you. While others may be good, my 35 years of
experience tells me that no one is better."
Perry Walraven, President and CEO, Performance
Controls, Inc.
a Subsidiary of Hitachi Medical Corporation
For a not-for-profit organization, we led the strategy thinking
and planning process and also facilitated the Board retreat. We
helped them create a strategy that "sucked the air out of the
room" and helped them achieve their goal of addressing capacity
issues and significantly expanding their ability to deliver on their
mission.
"Ann Latham transformed our thinking about how our organization
works. This discovery led us to a strategic model that solves our
pain and opens new opportunities. She truly lives up to her brand
of 'uncommon clarity.'"
Suzanne Beck, Executive Director, Greater
Northampton Chamber of Commerce
For a $400M+ organization, we helped establish
a project management methodology to improve individual project results
and also allow an organization of 1500 to manage its entire portfolio
of projects more effectively.
"Ann's ability to simplify complex issues such that everyone
understood their respective roles was a key part of her success.
She truly helped us achieve profitable and predictable growth while
improving the quality of our methods and processes."
S. W. Emery, Jr., Chairman and CEO, MTS
Systems Corporation
We lead a committee of twelve representing three communities and
Chambers of Commerce from a state of distrust and preconceptions
though the process of developing a truly exceptional and custom
model of collaboration unanimously supported by all that dramatically
increases value to members, regional impact, and internal capacity.
"'Wow' sums it up nicely. Ann stepped into
a delicate, sensitive situation involving a diverse, disjointed
group of people with a challenging objective and, in remarkably
little time, moved us to a solid, shared conclusion. The way she
works is impressive: she has a great handle on people, makes everyone
want to work together, ensures every meeting is focused and valuable,
and simplifies issues so all understand the challenges and options
and can reach shared conclusions. On top of that, I really enjoy
working with her."
John Heaps, President, Florence
Savings Bank
We helped an educational services organization redefine the objectives
and processes of three separate units that resulted in significantly
simplified operations, the elimination of redundancies, improved
customer service, more effective utilization of their most highly
skilled employees, and increased awareness of growth opportunities.
"Ann is an excellent facilitator of ideas and issues.
She has the capacity to get people to think about change, even when they are more than
satisfied with the status quo. Her work with us helped change the direction of three
units very set in their ways and has opened up a myriad of possibilities for growth in
the future."
Joan Schuman, Executive Director, Hampshire Educational Collaborative
We helped the Women's Partnership of the redefine the nature and direction
of its organization.
"Ann Latham guided our Board of Directors through a process
to reflect, renew and regain our purpose. Ann has an amazing ability
to draw people out, pull people back to the critical issues, and
reframe the conversation with her questions. She got everyone really
thinking and contributing. The result was a clear and strong conviction
of purpose that we didn't have. I now measure everything against
that purpose and am totally committed to providing ambitious, career-oriented
professionals with strong leadership and growth opportunities."
Ellen Albano, President, Women's Partnership, and Assistant General
Manager, Eastfield Mall
We revitalized the MMTN network of the RTC by leading the Steering
Committee to a new strategy.
"I have been very lucky to enjoy Ann's outstanding talents
in strategic planning and creative solutions. She led the MMTN Steering
Committee through various decision making exercises, devised by
her, that have resulted in a far more robust and goal-oriented organization
than I ever dreamed possible. She has breathed new life into the
MMTN. In doing so, Ann has earned the highest respect of her colleagues
and myself on this vital Committee. She has an uncommon talent of
seeing her clients' vision - frequently long before they do!"
Ellen Bemben, President, Regional
Technology Corporation
We delivered the program, "If the Shortest Path is a Straight
Line, Why Do We Run in Circles?" to the Women's Business Owners'
Alliance.
"Ann spoke to our women's business owners group and focused
on decision making. She has an incredible way of clearing away the
extraneous and assisting others in getting to the heart of the matter
with such ease. Ann is a great speaker and an excellent trainer.
She possesses an unusual skill - just what her business name implies
- uncommon clarity."
Karen Cardoza, Program Chair, WBOA,
and Owner, Karen Cardoza Jewelry
We thrilled the management and employees alike by helping a $450
million corporation replace a bureaucratic Quality Management
System with one that provided real value and met ISO 9001:2000 requirements.
"The method used for translating quality requirements into manageable
actions is the best seen anywhere and has led to managers with a
greater depth of understanding, a more integrated system approach,
and more astute planning than any of 95 companies audited”
ISO 9001 auditor
We assessed and mitigated Y2K risk for company with 700
products, 11 manufacturing sites worldwide, and many very
concerned customers.
"[This company] should be considered the benchmark for any company
evaluating their exposures in this area.”
Insurance Underwriter
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