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Uncommon Testimonials

"'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

"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

"Ann has a knack for working with groups, identifying key issues, exploring alternative solutions and, best of all, implementing solutions that work.

"She 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 tell me that no one is better."

Perry Walraven, President and CEO, Performance Controls, Inc.
a Subsidiary of Hitachi Medical Corporation

Suzanne Beck, Executive Director, Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce

"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

"Ann does a great job of keeping people focused, cutting to the critical issues, and avoiding 'rabbit holes.' I would recommend her to anyone who wants to make better plans and decisions in less time and with better confidence in the outcomes."

W. Lowell Putnam, Chairman/CSO, Video Communications, Inc.

"The process that our committee engaged in was outstanding. First, the outcome of our work is truly exceptional. Second, the process itself built amazingly strong relationships and it was remarkable that these relationships evolved DURING the process, not as an adjunct to it. That is, we didn’t do team-building first and then address the challenge. We built the team as we worked on the problem (without a ropes course!). And given the many different perspectives, that took real guidance from Ann, although I’ll confess that it seemed largely invisible. Also, the process was not tedious. There was no arduous research or endless brainstorming with subsequent consolidation. We moved forward with each meeting. Third, I learned a lot personally.

"One thing that really stood out, particularly in contrast to other committee projects in which I have been involved, was this sense of progress. Yes, we had a lot of meetings, but the schedule was regular, they were conducted according to that schedule, and we knew what we did and what we would do next time. My participation in this project has set a new standard for my expectations of groups like this. And unfortunately few others measure up.

"I have already recommended Ann to others. I think Ann takes a deep interest in the work she takes on. I have seen other consultants apply one formula to different problems and issues. And while that usually works better than no facilitation, I believe that Ann really thinks about the outcome, how it will be used or implemented, and then adapts her process to fit both the need and the time allotted to solving the problem. Too often, I’ve seen formula-driven processes end up having to rush to conclusion, just when the brainstorming and the mind-maps ought to be thoroughly tested.

"Ann is also a strong group leader. She has a physical presence coupled with a calm demeanor that seems to keep even a diverse and sometimes rowdy group on track."

Russell Peotter, General Manager, WGBY – Public Television for Western New England

“Ann is simply outstanding at moving a group to a strong conclusion. In our case, I couldn’t have imagined a better outcome. What makes her particularly unusual is that there isn’t a lot of noise, she doesn’t distract, and no one wastes time. She lets discussions run but doesn’t let them run amok. She is deliberate and straight forward with a soft touch that keeps people on task, the process moving forward, and ideas flowing. By always maintaining a clear purpose, next steps, and expectations, she made me a better contributor and able to get on task quickly despite the limited time I had for the project. After working with Ann, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her to anyone in need of a strategy, plan, arbitration, facilitation, etc.”

Chuck McCullagh, CFO, The Williston Northampton School

"Ann is an outstanding team player. Working with a diverse group of manufacturing and design team members, Ann was able to gain consensus for improvement initiatives, win over even the skeptical, and move the team forward toward production-readiness. Every team member has the highest regard for Ann, her professionalism, dedication and energy, and outstanding change management skills."

Dana Badgerow, General Manager, AeroMet Corporation

"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

"Having worked with Ann on multiple projects, I know to expect a lot. Nonetheless, she continues to exceed expectations. Ann gets people out of their comfort zones, thinking, and seeing other points of view. She manages somehow to turn personal agendas aside and create powerful teams. She is always well prepared and willing to take charge to ensure we accomplish what needs to be accomplished in a timely fashion. In addition, she is personable and articulate. I highly recommend her services."

William F. Dimmitt, Account Executive, The AXiA Group

"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 & growth opportunities."

Ellen Albano, President, Women's Partnership, and Assistant General Manager, Eastfield Mall

"Ann helps her audiences in a very brief time master such vital skills as improving and speeding decision making in turbulent times, and she does so with wit, energy, and great examples to use as guides."

Alan Weiss, Author, "Million Dollar Consulting"

"Ann is a captivating speaker, providing important principles about small business progress in an approachable, common-sense way. The stories she shares to illustrate points are personal and interesting, allowing her audience to consume important information about the steps they need to take in advancing their business in a way that is easy to absorb. Our audience of entrepreneurs enjoyed Ann's depth and breadth of knowledge due to her many years of experience advising companies throughout the world."

Aimee Griffin Munnings, Esq., Director, Western New England College Law and Business Center for Advancing Entrepreneurship

"Ann Latham is extremely effective at helping diverse groups of people to find their common goals and create action plans to reach those goals efficiently. When you work with Ann, you get the job done, and you enjoy the process along the way."

Janet Warren, President, MarCom Capital

"When I called Ann, I was struggling with (what seemed to be) broad and profound dysfunctional behaviors rooted in the program's history, exasperated by ill-defined roles, and complicated by ill-conceived new initiatives. When we hung up, I had a new perspective, the understanding and confidence to take immediate action to remedy 85% of the problem, and a better understanding of options for sorting out the remaining issues. The time and stress saved by one phone call with Ann was astounding."

Rev. Johanna McCune Wagner, Director of Religious Life, The Culver Academies

"I’ve recently had the pleasure of working with Ann Latham as a member of a multi-constituent collaboration project. At first, our group began the process without the presence of an outside facilitator, however we quickly realized that our efficiency and effectiveness were limited. Ann was asked to facilitate our meetings and has proven to be an incredible asset to the process, providing a structure and clarity of purpose, soliciting ideas and encouraging individual contribution, while instilling accountability and helping all to keep focus on our desired outcomes. Clear and measurable progress is being made, and at a speed not possible without her guidance. "

Dave DelVecchio, President, Innovative Business Systems, Inc.

"Ann is highly skilled in helping her clients clarify their goals and the steps it will take to achieve them. She respectfully keeps the participants on track and moves the process forward to completion.With Ann’s guidance you can be certain that you will reach your destination."

Martha Nelson Patrick, Director, Office of Community Relations
University of Massachusetts

"I recently had the pleasure of experiencing Ann’s facilitation skills on a significant collaborative project involving several influential members of the community. Ann was organized, focused, and kept things moving. It is clear to me we would not have accomplished what we did in a similar timeframe without the benefit of Ann’s drive and commitment."

Molly Keegan, Financial Planner, Davis Financial Group, LLC

"Ann - Your newsletter is great! Always has useful, quickly applied information for leaders and teams. You pack a lot in a 3 minute read!"

Ingrid Bredenberg, M.A., Strategic Coach for leaders and teams, Bredenberg Associates

"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

"I needed someone experienced with conducting interviews, surveys and facilitating focus groups to gather the input from the community and other stakeholders. I contacted a friend at the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County to inquire if he knew of someone who would meet my needs. He responded with a glowing recommendation for Ann Latham of Uncommon Clarity, Inc.

"I contacted Ann to discuss my needs and within days she was off and running. We scheduled focus groups and Ann facilitated them. Ann then synthesized the input received and presented the information in written form. The result was a well-received plan with great information.

"I will certainly solicit the services of Uncommon Clarity (Ann Latham) in the future, and I will recommend her services to anyone in need."

Paul F. Bailey, Executive Director, Springfield Partners for Community Action, Inc.

"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

"Ann has a natural ability for process improvement and easily learns new systems and adjoining processes."

Sandi Klemann, Certes Financial Pros

"Thank you, Ann. For listening and not judging. For always sharing a warm word and a smile. For your amazing newsletter; there is always something that speaks directly to me. Every month, when I open my inbox and see your name, I am thrilled with anticipation and excited to read your creative and concise advice. Thank you for sharing your lessons with the world!"

L'Tanya T. Robinson, Director of Development, The Montessori School of Northampton

"I am extremely impressed with Ann’s ability to bring clarity to the decision making process as I have observed her during the Materials & Manufacturing Technology Network (MMTN) Steering Committee on which we both participate. She has an uncanny ability for getting people to put aside their personal objectives and look at the “BIG” picture to identify the important objectives and reach consensus. She has demonstrated repeatedly her ability to quickly get to the stuff that really matters."

Mark R. Gregoire, President, Employee Benefits Specialist, Group Insurance Management Services, Inc.

"Ann Latham was a guest speaker in my organizational behavior class. She did a great job of explaining the dos and don'ts of organizational change. Ann uses simple, clear stories and visuals to make her points."

Paul B. Thornton, Professor, Business Administration, Springfield Technical Community College

"Ann's leadership, focus, discipline and outstanding teaming skills drove significant cultural change within the organization."

General Manager

"And thank you, Ann, for your remarkable facilitation, and calm presence. If there was ever a perfect match of task, committee, and facilitator, this was it. Our accomplishment is directly linked to your talents, knowledge and skills. ... You've moved the group into complex territory, through remarkable conversations, and onto excellent realizations and outcomes. We're VERY lucky to have you working with us!"

President, Board of Directors, nonprofit organization

"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

"[This company] should be considered the benchmark for any company evaluating their exposures in this area."

Insurance Underwriter, in reference to Y2K risk management project