Tighter budgets, increased client expectations, amplified pressure for providing results demands - in essence “doing more, with less.” These times of economic uncertainty are causing management consulting firms across the country to adjust to impact of “the new normal.”

Considering all of these changes, how will you adjust the growth strategy of your management consulting firm?

Take less than an hour – and watch my recorded webcast  “Establishing a Strategy Execution Practice”. During this webcast, I’ll offer insight into the following  issues:

1.  How you can add a multi-million dollar practice to your existing consulting firm.
2.  Why management consulting firms are best positioned to offer this new service.
3.  How businesses can improve their performance and why the time is right to do it in a revolutionary new way.
4.  Why the SMB (small and midsized business) space is a very lucrative and attractive market.

To view the webcast at your convenience, simply visit www.SixDisciplines.com/Coach, and click to begin.

If after viewing the webcast, you find the Six Disciplines strategy execution program to be of interest, simply send an email to Matt Lauth (mlauth@sixdisciplines.com) and we’ll begin the dialog.

“Management consultants are better positioned than any other professional service to seize the ever-growing strategy execution market.” 

That’s the conclusion I came to after speaking with thousands of business leaders in 20 different cities over the past six months.  Frankly, it was a surprise to me.  Let me explain.

A clear trend is emerging where business leaders are demanding a management approach (or business system) that integrates both the formation of strategy and its execution. What’s become clear in conversations with business leaders is they want this service from their management consultants - not from their accountant, banker, attorney or IT professional. They want it from organizations that already have a trusted reputation for addressing strategy and operational issues. 

Six Disciplines has dedicated itself to addressing that need, and as a result, we’ve put together a complete strategy execution program designed for management consultants to deliver.  It offers the opportunity to generate between $25,000 to $100,000 annually per client with gross margins that exceed 50% (of course, actual results depend on you and your specific clients).

The Six Disciplines Program is unique in that it’s the only complete approach that engages the total organization.  It blends a business-building methodology, coaching, execution management software and shared learning - AND — delivers these components in different ways for each of the four levels of leadership:  senior leadership, initiative (cross-functional team) leadership, departmental leadership and self leadership.  This approach underscores our intent for “Revolutionizing strategy execution.  Every person.  Every day.”  Think of our program as a general strategy execution practice that can be added to your existing specialty practice.

Here’s one data point:  The first management consulting firm that adopted this program closed six clients in three months and increased their billable time for more specialized projects, which were discovered as a result of following the strategy execution methodology.  

If you’re interested in learning more, we’d like to discuss this opportunity with you.  Please call Matt Lauth at (419) 581-2816 or email (mlauth@SixDisciplines.com) to set up a time when we can chat at your convenience.

Six Disciplines announced today that it has added the Washington D.C.-based consulting firm, The Total Management Group, LLC, to its nationwide network of business coaching practices that offer the Six Disciplines® strategy execution program to its clients.  Six Disciplines is unique in the growing industry of business coaching because of its completeness, which includes the synergy of a repeatable business-building methodology, accountability coaching, an execution software system, and a shared community to accelerate organizational learning.

“Having served as the CEO of a strong engineering and software development company for 18 years, I can readily see the value that Six Disciplines brings to our clients,” said James Garrett, CEO of The Total Management Group. “The Six Disciplines methodology will help them achieve their goals, not just through planning, but through focused execution.”

“Six Disciplines is the perfect compliment to our consulting practice,” added Dr. David Christovich, The Total Management Group’s Vice President. “By using the Six Disciplines methodology and tools, our clients will be able to connect their vision to their strategies, and align their plans and activities for more consistent and predictable execution.”

About The Total Management Group

The Total Management Group provides strategic planning and execution services to business and government.

Total Management CEO Jim Garrett co-founded SENTEL Corporation, an award-winning engineering and technology firm, which he led for eighteen years as its president and CEO. Under his leadership, the company — which specialized in software and hardware engineering solutions for the military and U.S. government — grew to 375 employees and $45 million in annual revenues.  Visit The Total Management Group at www.TheTotalManagementGroup.com, email jGarrett@SixDisciplines.com,  (office ) 301-203-6583 or (cell) 301-661-2922.  

Why is it that every business – even the best ones - struggle so much to sustain growth and profitability?

Why is it that only 3% of businesses drive the overwhelming majority of economic growth and job creation in any given community?

Why does it have to be only 3%? Can’t we do any better?  Perhaps more importantly, what are we going to do about accelerating growth for the other 97% of businesses?

Well, these issues frustrate me — BUT — I have a plan and I want to share it with you.

That’s why I’m kicking off my 50-city “Economic Acceleration Tour: Breaking the 3% Speed Limit”, sponsored by Six Disciplines, in Columbus on December 10, 2008 at the Hilton Columbus at Easton, from 8:00 – 10:30 AM.

Consider these facts:

• Columbus ranks 7th in the nation among large metropolitan areas for its number of “high-impact” companies, those that produce both significant revenue growth and expanding employment.
• Yet only 3% (2.43 percent) of Columbus’ 82,810 businesses are considered to be high-impact.
• On average, it takes a company almost 20 years to enter this high-impact stage.  Yet, three out of four companies cease to be high-impact after just four years.

On December 10, I’ll be sharing this new vision and a specific plan for changing the economic development equation with business and community leaders in the capital of my home state of Ohio.

To register for this event, visit: www.GaryHarpst.com/Tour/Columbus

In attendance at the Columbus Economic Acceleration Tour event will be CEOs of small and midsized businesses, chamber of commerce executives, economic development executives, civic leaders, business incubator professionals, college and university business program chairs and faculty, quality program professionals, venture capitalists, private equity and angel investors, business coaches, management consultants, and professional service firm partners.

I look forward to meeting you and discussing the unique opportunity America has to improve the performance of our businesses, and the competitive advantages it will offer our communities and nation.

All the best!

Gary

P.S. Join me for an intensive private workshop (after the event) where I’ll coach a select group of Columbus CEOs on how to craft a powerful strategic position – one that produces breakthrough results.  I personally guarantee the return you’ll get by attending this workshop, as many of our clients would testify. Space is limited to the first 7 participants!  Register today at www.GaryHarpst.com/Tour/Columbus.

Want to know how to thrive, not just survive during a slow economy?

Jim Blasingame at the Small Business Advocate interviewed me on Monday, May 5. During the interview, I joined Jim and offered some thoughts on what businesses can do internally to focus on the main characteristic of succcessful organizations:  EXECUTION.

Listen to the podcast interview here.

Welcome to my blog!

Just a few years ago, blogging was considered a fad, something that would go away eventually. Today, it’s become an increasingly important means for sharing ideas, collaborating and, of course, spreading the word.

I intend to use this blog as an open forum on a wide variety of topics, running the gamut from strategy formulation and execution, to change management, planning and goal setting, communication, time management, employee engagement, activity alignment and problem-solving.

Feel free to take a look around - I’m looking forward to interacting with you!

The Adventure Continues!