Planning

Develop a practical road map for achieving the goals of your organization. Our approach to planning builds road maps to the future. What we do is hands-on and practical. Starting with a clear view of what needs to be done to keep your organization healthy and competitive, we build the tools that managers and others can use every day to ensure that goals are achieved. We employ a set of unique and engaging methods to align employees behind strategic and business plans. Without the commitment of key people, plans die on the vine.

DIRECTION SETTING

Create what you want your organization to be by establishing a clear purpose. Do you understand your customer expectations? Do you know what and where your company should be in 1, 5 or 10 years? We work with our clients to assess the current position of their organizations, and then establish a clear direction. We help you create your future. Through us you develop specific plans and actions to move your company forward, including how to align employees behind changing direction. You need to know where you are going to know when you have arrived. You can avoid "structural drift" by being clear about the core strategies which drive your business.

MANAGING CHANGE

Focus everyone on the same page to deal with the issues of transition. "There is nothing permanent except change." (Heraclitus) It's an ancient adage with contemporary resonance. However, if your team is prepared for change you can use it to your advantage. We build the capacity of your organization to lead change effectively. Working hand in hand with you, we develop a change process that fits your situation. Meridian has expertise in managing and resolving crises and conflict that often accompany transitions. The basis of our successful work is the ability to objectively examine and assess an organization's performance. The following are examples of work done with clients who stepped back after great change to examine their "lessons learned."

Learning systems

“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other." (JFK) The ability to learn may be the only sustainable competitive advantage that companies have today. An organization filled with people who are eager to improve their skills and knowledge will deliver high performance. Meridian consultants have years of hands-on management experience and they have devised tools and learning sessions to pass along these skills. Learning comes in many different forms - and that's why we don't call our work training. Training is just one, and often not the most effective, way to help people learn. All of our learning systems are fast paced, engaging and practical.

management Forums

Mine the wisdom of your peers and coworkers. Meridian's twenty-year history of running programs from a variety of companies, such as the  Human Resources Network and Strategy Forums, led to presenting similar programs inside client organizations. Our programs, whether internal or public, are focused and confidential, and highly productive. These groups gather in a result-oriented and supportive atmosphere where ideas are exchanged and tested, feedback on strategic concerns is provided, and learning about cutting-edge methods in management from resource experts and other participants is gained.

coaching

“Managers in organizations today are under more pressure than ever to de- liver the goods. The stress and strain they face is at an all time high. Hard economic times do that. One prominent trend that has come out of this period is the increased use of executive coaching. Coaching that builds trust, gets the facts and addresses organizational realities can contribute to career and business success....The value of coaching Those of us who do coaching can take pride in its value. It has helped countless managers cope with these pressures and do their jobs better. Coaching has been shown to improve productivity, quality, organizational strength, customer service, and shareholder value.” (from The Contribution of Coaching by Donald B. Summers http://jeanniecoyle.com/Websitearticle2.pdf)