Consulting

For several years now I have been consulting with a wide variety of clients to help them improve their processes and systems. If you bring me in, note that I am trained as a socio-technical systems analyst and make a couple of core assumptions:

1) Every system exists in its present form for some reason (nothing is totally irrational, there is probably someone with some power and control who wants things to be as they are)

2) Gaining substantial benefits by installing new technology often requires concurrent changes in people and processes. Changes in people can include fundamental changes in the idea of job tasks, new skills, re-assignment. Changes in processes generally include redefinition of tasks and their sequencing as well as rethinking resource allocation.

Here are some samples of the sorts of projects I have conducted. Keep in mind that often, I will use student groups from my classes to help conduct projects, and my services come to you for free. This has mutual benefit in that students get exposure to real work scenarios to practice what they learn, and you get to see how they work, potentially hiring them. For me, I am glad to see both of those things happen, and occasionally, we may find a research question that merits me running a research project or seeking a grant. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you want to talk through an idea.

Media Strategy Projects / Presentations

Emory Healthcare (EH), March-April 2009.

This work initiated EH’s effort to understand and begin implementing social media and social networking tools into their core processes, starting with a pilot project that will enable customers to more quickly and at lower cost interact and receive information from the marketing group.

Premiere Global (PG), January-February 2009.

Details may not be disclosed.

Cox Enterprises, July 2008.

This project focused on how the divisions of Cox could approach the huge changes rippling through the journalism industry today due to Internet and social media technologies. Key results included strategic direction on how to remain relevant and profitable.

Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG), June-July 2008.

Details may not be disclosed.

Operational Analysis and Improvement Projects

(I have managed teams involved in many projects in this category. These projects involve stakeholder analysis and primary and secondary data collection as well as data/statistical analysis and application of findings to outcome assessment and strategy formation. As a sample, in approximately the past year I have had teams working with the following clients: Tastings, Sweetwater Brewery, Jazzman’s Café, Emory Eye Clinic, Emory Conference Center Hotel, Evolve Boutique, Method Coffee, Carlos Museum, Rocky’s Package, Mohawk Industries, Felini’s Pizza, WoodPEC Equipment, Social Security Administration Disability Claims Division, Innovative Learning Concepts, Theatre Emory, Emory Bookstore, Evan’s Fine Foods, Greek Life Management, Moya, Café Istanbul, Morgan Stanley, Empyrean Benefits, Shorty’s Pizza, Clairmont Café, Hewlett-Packard, Sodexho, Dance for Life.)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), March 2006-May 2008.

As a team member, focused on design of collaboration and coordination systems. Surveys of over 5,000 employees showed key areas where emphasis was needed and helped prioritize steps to build momentum and enthusiasm for change.