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Quotes from members of the
ALIVE! Strategic Planning Project:
Plexus Consulting was invaluable in ALIVE!’s strategic planning process, not only in keeping our group focused and on a fairly ambitious timetable, but in helping us understand and begin to address some changes that ALIVE! needs to undertake in order to meet our mission. The Plexus Consultant was particularly proficient at guiding us to concise vision and mission statements as well as shared principles that our organization could embrace.
ALIVE! has two very different areas of focus: meeting emergency needs and helping families to become self-sufficient. And we have seven very distinct program areas that are run almost totally independently of each other. Plexus Consulting helped us understand the challenges these realities pose and helped us articulate goals that encourage both growth in these areas and a greater sense of interdependence and connection among the programs.
Change is never easy for an organization, particularly one that has evolved over 40 years with strong reliance on volunteers and the entrepreneurship of those volunteers. Plexus Consulting’s work for ALIVE! helped us understand the roadblocks to our growth and set a concrete plan to help remove those obstacles.
Cheryl Malloy, President; Ken Naser, Executive Director;
I can think of several adjectives
I could use to describe yesterday’s session,
but boring is certainly not one of them. Energetic,
engaging, expansive, ambitious, hyperopic, even
a bit scary—but not boring.
Ken Naser, Executive Director of ALIVE!
Thanks for your guidance through
this process. We have a long way to go but you
have certainly put us on the right path.
Cheryl Malloy, ALIVE! Board Chair
We appreciate your ability to lift
us up so that we can appreciate the whole forest,
gaining some perspective while continuing to tend
to the individual trees ALIVE! has been watering
and fertilizing for so many years. This is the
first time the ALIVE! community has tried to take
a look at the “big picture,” and,
it isn’t something that comes easily for
us.
Diana Day, ALIVE! Board Long-Range Planning
Project Liaison
This
is extremely helpful as a reference in my position in general and as I work on
individual projects. And, thank you for
helping us to facilitate the processes in the Business Planning Meeting
yesterday. Your assistance was extremely
valuable in helping us to maintain focus and move forward.
Dimitri M.
Warren, MA, MPA, Director, ALIVE! House, ALIVE!, Inc |
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Your "Partnerships" presentation
was inspiring, generating thoughtful conversation
throughout the session and into the following
days. Did you know that many of the participants
stayed with us for the entire Annual Conference
and took that opportunity to meet with our affiliate
directors and other members of staff? We feel
this was a great investment for them and for us
in our future endeavors. Our guests for the Seminar
were delighted to receive a copy of your book
in their Seminar materials. |
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Matthew
McKenna
President & CEO
Keep America Beautiful, Inc.
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On behalf of the World Affairs Councils
of America and our Board Chairman, Ambassador
Marc Grossman, I would like to sincerely thank
you for your participation in WACA’s 2010
National Conference, Leadership Development Seminars
last week at the Mayflower Hotel.
The response to the Leadership Development
Seminars has been overwhelmingly positive from
our attendees, which mainly included our council
leadership drawn from the business, civic and
education communities around the country. Your
presentation on Rethinking Membership models addressed
one of our most important national network issues
in a thought-provoking, instructive and engaging
way.
With sincere appreciation, |
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Dr. Lori
E. Murray
Interim President & CEO
World Affairs Councils of America
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Regarding the keynote address given
at the International Coastal Cleanup Conference:
We have already started with our
cleanups and the presentation by Steve Worth came
to fruition as I have material that I am already
starting to stockpile for the 2011 cleanup. Ocean
Conservancy – once again thanks for the
injection of motivation!!!!!!! |
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John Kieser
Environmental Manager [Cape]
Plastics Federation of South Africa
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The strategic planning we did together
earlier in 2010 really helped me shape some expansion
ideas moving forward…. |
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Erik A.
Kimel
Business Entrepreneur and Peer2Peer
Tutors, Founder
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The work that you did for the Certified
Franchise Executive (CFE) program was extremely
valuable to us, we are still following the basic
framework developed from that research and the
strategic planning sessions which you facilitated.
It is one of the best investments that we have
ever made.
You will be pleased to know that the CFE program
has experienced a 20-25% year over year growth
in enrollments for the last 5 years, we have over
90% renewal rate in the re-certification program,
and nearly 30% participation rate by IFA member
companies. CFE has become the gold
standard for professional development, continuing
education program in the franchising industry.
Our goal is to get that 30% number up to about
50% of all member companies.
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John R.
Reynolds
President
IFA Educational Foundation
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On
giving the keynote address at the 2010 Annual
Meeting of the Council of Engineering and Scientific
Society Executives:
"On behalf of the Officers
and Board Members of the Council of Engineering
and Scientific Society Executives (CESSE), I write
to express our deepest appreciation for your participation
in our 2010 Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh.
Your presentation was extremely
well received. I was approached many
times over the remaining course of the meeting
by attendees with comments about how much they
learned and were propelled by both the content
and perspective that you brought to the session.
I hope you were as gratified as I to see so many
among the audience taking notes during your presentation.
Your new book made its way to me.
Thanks very much. Can’t wait to read
it. From the comments made during the CESSE
meeting, I think it will be a best seller with
this community. Just what many of us need."
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Bill Davis
Executive Director
American Anthropological Association
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On
presenting research designed to help develop AICPA’s
globalization strategy:
"Your presentation was very
well-received and I also heard many compliments
on the report…. Your expertise and
knowledge were greatly appreciated by the group
as was your willingness to engage in dialogue
with us."
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Nancy-Anne
Potts
Research Manager, Office of Strategy Management
American Institute of CPA's
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On
giving the keynote address at the International
Coastal Cleanup Coordinators Conference for the
Ocean Conservancy in Cancun, Mexico:
Thank you for joining us at this
year's International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Coordinators
Conference in Cancun, Mexico. We were honored
to have you as our keynote speaker; your presentation
set the tone for our focus on the "Power
of Parternships"
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Vikki
N. Spruill
President & CEO
Ocean Conservancy
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On conducting a briefing of the
OLA Board of Directors on good governance practices:
You did great!!!!!! many thanks for your patience!
Great feedback. I'm so grateful! Just what we
needed.
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Lisa
S. McGreevy
President & CEO
Online Lenders Alliance
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Thank you again for your time
and expertise this weekend. Your facilitation
certainly kept us on track and resulted in an
excellent plan that will serve our organization
well.
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Janice
Stoudemire, CBA, ABA, ATA
President
Association of Collegiate Business Schools and
Programs
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On Plexus’s work for AMTA’s globalization
strategic development plan:
Thank you for doing all the research
and the presentation. The Board members and (our
executive director) are very happy with the final
outcome.
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Megan
Rosol
Research and Development Manager
American Massage Therapy Association
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Not
once but twice in the past year I’ve had
the pleasure to work with Plexus Consulting Group
of Washington, D. C. My first experience
was as the co-chair of the Alexandria City Public
School’s strategic planning committee.
During the six-month strategic planning process,
Plexus was invaluable in assisting our system
in developing a meaningful and extremely useful
strategic plan. This was not the simplest
of groups with whom they’ve worked as we
wished to involve a large representation of stakeholders.
The planning sessions which were held over a period
of five months with sometimes upwards of 50 individuals
participating not only went smoothly but resulted
in an extensive, well-developed plan which will
serve the school division and our community for
years to come.
So it was no wonder that when I retired from
the school division and became executive director
of ACT for Alexandria that I went back “to
the well” that had proved so successful
for the Alexandria City Public Schools.
And again, not only wasn’t I disappointed
but I was extremely pleased with the result.
The timing was ripe for a revisit of our vision,
mission and plan and Plexus was the company with
whom to invest our trust in getting us where we
needed to be. Our board, like many, is composed
of many highly motivated and successful members
of our community. The issues related to
navigating such a group through the planning process
can be somewhat precarious with a certain skill
set needed to make the result all it should be.
Again, Plexus “stepped-up” and provided
the insight, guidance and direction needed to
move us to a more clearly defined vision, more
aptly stated mission and more appropriate goals.
We are looking forward to continuing our relationship
with them as we now move to the “rubber
meets the road” phase of business plan development.
While entering this next stage with a small amount
of trepidation, I am glad to have Plexus on our
side.
If your company, association or organization
is in need of planning or management related services,
I can’t recommend any company more highly
than I can Plexus. In my forty year career
with the Alexandria City Schools and numerous
community nonprofit organizations, I’ve
been involved in a number of planning related
ventures with various consultants. In my
experience I’ve not had a more successful
experience than the two with Plexus. |
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John
Porter
Executive Director
ACT for Alexandria
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I
wanted to inform you that the part of Plexus consultant's
“Scenario Planning” assignment comes
to an end today, she’ll be heading back
home tonight. I also would like to inform you
that it was such a pleasure working with her.
She showed an exceptional level of commitment
and dedication to her work that made it enjoyable
to all of us working with her.
In fact due to her enthusiasm and professionalism,
we all at SABEQ have a very positive feeling about
this assignment. We think that it will yield good
outcomes that we didn’t foresee when the
entire thing started. Plexus deserves to be acknowledged
for finding and recommending her. |
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Mohammad
Amawi
SABEQ Program
USAID, Kingdom of Jordan
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Just
as a follow up after nearly two years since your
study, ASHI has been accredited by NCCA for
the ASHI Certified Inspector designation.
The decision to move this direction was based
on your work. It has been well received and I
think that it will ultimately help us to grow
membership.
Times have been tough with the economy but ASHI
is surviving and moving forward. |
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David
Tamny
ASHI President Elect
American Society for Home Inspectors
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Plexus Consulting evaluated ACP’s operations
in membership, product development and
marketing, based on the views of members, non-members and
staff, through the use of surveys,
interviews and focus groups. The evaluation
was completed on-time, within budget, and provided
useful recommendations for how ACP can
set priorities and become more effective.
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Robert
Murray
Project Liaison
American College of Physicians
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"Plexus brought a comprehensive
approach to ACR’s strategic planning effort--before
during and after. Before, Plexus provided the
neutrality of a third party membership surveyor
and stakeholder interviewer. During, Plexus
faced the challenge of facilitating a board
composed of facilitators while adding in benchmarks
and lessons learned from other clients. Afterward,
Plexus ensured that the work was not only electronically
captured, but was detailed down to a “who, what,
when, and how” action plan that could be monitored
by date and by the responsible individual. The
last part makes all the difference between a
plan that is filed away and a plan that has
energy and commitment." |
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Douglas
M. Kleine, CAE
Executive
Director
Association for Conflict Resolution
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"ASQ
used Plexus Consulting for an engagement that
led to very significant global strategies. (Plexus’s
lead consultant was) very knowledgeable and
has worked with many professional associations.
We used an RFP process and found…. Plexus (to
be) very competitive and responsive. We would
work with them again. They are in DC."
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Paul
Borawski, CAE
Executive
Director and Chief Strategic Officer
American Society for Quality
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"This past fall, our school division
embarked on a much needed strategic planning
initiative. Having little experience in this
arena, the system decided the most productive
way to move forward with this endeavor would
be to enlist the assistance of a consulting
firm with both previous strategic planning
experience and the desire and capability to
work with a diverse community to develop a
plan.
Our RFP process resulted in a
number of firms to consider. After follow-up
meetings and much discussion, Plexus Consulting
was chosen to assist us. We chose Plexus as
a result of their extensive experience, the
process they described, and the outcomes they
expected. They also displayed an extraordinary
understanding of what we were hoping to accomplish
and the expanse of individuals we wanted to
make sure were included in the process.
From the initial planning session
to the culminating meeting, Plexus not only
met but exceeded our expectations. Plexus would
gladly meet with us to plan for upcoming sessions
and then follow-up to debrief on what we accomplished
and/or learned after each large group meeting.
The Plexus team was extremely professional,
respectful of the points of view of everyone
on the team, and focused on accomplishing the
task at hand. Additionally, they could view
the plan and process from the “outside” which
proved extremely helpful for those of us who
were in the system and/or City. The end result
was an exceptional strategic plan and one which
will, I am sure, not end up on a shelf for someone
to find in a couple of years and ask about.
What impressed me most was the seeming ease
with which the sessions flowed and the plan
developed.
If you are contemplating a strategic
planning initiative for your system, I highly
recommend that you do so and make it a plan
which will be used. I also highly recommend
Plexus Consulting as they will provide you both
with an exceptional product and one which will
be accomplished in a positive, inclusive fashion."
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John
L. Porter
Assistant Superintendent for Planning and Operations
Alexandria City Public Schools
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"The
strategic plan continues on its implementation
schedule and we have made a great deal of progress.
It has definitely become a cornerstone of our
future development and the leadership is very
happy with the plan and our progress."
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Chris
Burruss
President
Truckload Carriers Association
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"In
reviewing the output of our strategy session
this AM, I believe that I speak for all members
of our Board in saying that this was an excellent
session, and that your efforts to help us to
align all the activities of our association
around a common direction are both recognized
and greatly appreciated." |
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John
Costanzo
President
The Express Delivery and Logistics Association
(XLA)
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"....(Our)
members are noticing the positive changes. Thank
you for all of your contributions...the Incubator
Model is starting to make a difference." |
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Deborah
Frett
Chief Executive Officer
BPW/USA and BPW Foundation
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"...on
my NASPA to do list today was to let you know
how much we appreciate your effort to assist
us in the venture we are on to constantly strive
for improvement with NASPA. As the Board was
reveiewing many critical issues for the Association
over the few days of the Board meeting you might
be surprised how many issues you raised that
dovetailed nicely with other initiatives and
priorities.
I thank you for your insight
and professionalism in your work with us." |
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Jan
Walbert
National Association of Student Personnel Administrators
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"There
was a lot accomplished this weekend with a lot
more hard work ahead. With your time, hard work,
and dedication to this organization, Plexus
has given us the tools to move forward for growth.
There were a lot of great things that have come
out of this project and items that have been
confirmed for the board." |
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Sharon
N. Earl
International Municipal Signal Association
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Re:
Companies for a large market research project
"We
are currently in the middle of an extensive
project with Plexus Consulting Group - and they
have been absolutely great to work with." |
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Anthony
Snyder
Director of Membership and Marketing
American
Society of Home Inspectors
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I
want to let you know that we all feel great
about all we got accomplished. We have a very
specific set of goals, rationale and a good
start on tactics...we have a game plan that
is supported by the findings. Our thanks to
Plexus Consulting Group. |
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Linda
Kloss
CEO
American
Health Information Management Association
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Your
input (on ISCD's globalization strategy) was
invaluable. |
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Martin
Rotblatt
Associate Director
The International Society for Clinical Densitometry
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I
have been reflecting on the work that the executive
committee and Plexus accomplished last week
and I am amazed. It is very rewarding to be
moving forward on this wonderful venture for
NAP. Thank you. |
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Jeanette
M. Williams
Board President
National Association of Parliamentarians
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“...the
strategic counsel that (Plexus Consulting Group)has
provided to me and our organization has been
very thorough, consistent and timely. It is
good to know that if an emergency should arise,
Plexus Consulting Group would be in our corner.
“I
have enjoyed working with (Plexus Consulting
Group) and appreciate all that you have shared
with me to help me learn and grow in the PR
space.”
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Courtney
Shafer
Sr. Vice President of Communications
Entrepreneurs' Organization
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We couldn't have done it without your guidance
at the beginning! You and Plexus really got
us off to the right start.
Jeremy's
Heroes has persevered the economic downturn...Your
consulting on our initial business plan was
invaluable to the overall success of the charity.
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Debbie
Green
Jeremy's Heroes
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Many
thanks to you and your team for the fine work
you did in guiding us through the strategic
planning process. The process you employed was
very inclusive and allowed us to build a consensus
based on solid input from both our members and
key non-members. Our operational plan has been
funded for 2007, and we are already working
on implementation. I appreciated your prompt
follow-up at each stage of the process, and
it was a pleasure to work with you. |
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Shirley
A. Maloney
Senior Vice President
National Association of Industrial and Office
Properties (NAIOP)
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I
want to take this opportunity to thank you for
the excellent work that you and the Plexus team
undertook in support of RAPS international strategy
development. The research you prepared and your
excellent facilitation of the retreat with our
Board of Directors and staff have become a foundation
for our strategic and operational planning.
Your work is already being translated into specific
plans. Of equal importance, your efforts helped
to create sensitivity to issues, challenges
and opportunities of global development. This
is beginning to create an awareness of changes
in the international climate and flexibility
in our planning. We look forward to efforts
to extend our work with you and your organization
in the future. |
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Sherry
Keramidas, PhD, CAE
Executive Director
Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS)
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For
strategic plan facilitation -- Plexus Consulting
"has done some great work for us and for
our members..." |
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Penny
Pompei
President and CEO
National Women's Business Center
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The
Strategic Planning Taskforce concluded their
work as the strategic plan reached final approval.
At each step of the approval process the quality
of the work Plexus Consulting Group performed
on our behalf has been acknowledged. Our final
plan is enhanced by Plexus's facilitation of
the sessions as well as an awareness of the
activities of other associations Plexus shared
with us during the process. Plexus has contributed
greatly and their excellent work will be long
remembered. |
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Douglas
Viehland
Executive Director Association of Collegiate
Business Schools and Programs
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My
organization worked with Plexus Consulting Group
last year and they were terrific in helping
us discuss and plan for a new future. I highly
recommend Plexus Consulting Group. |
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Ken
Schoppmann
Executive Director Licensing Executives Society
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I
would like to express my appreciation for the
hard work that Plexus Consulting Group put into
this effort as we move forward to expand the
globalization of ISA. Plexus is to be commended
for their work on the data and their recommendations
for our consideration. |
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Gerald
Wilbanks, P.E.
Documentation & Engineering Services, LLC
President
ISA
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ISA
has made numerous eforts over the last two decades
to operate in the global arena with mixed success.
Working with Plexus Consulting Group, we have
finally started to crystallize our objectives
and define a manageable plan to be more effective
as a global engineering society. |
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T.S.
Lee
ISA Director
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Plexus
Consulting Group, LLC was recruited to
work with GEGI under a USAID-BearingPoint
contract designed among other things to
promote business development here in Georgia.
Plexus worked with GEGI from August to
October 2004 as self-certification consultants
assisting business associations to develop
self-certification programs for their
respective industries. Plexus consultants
conducted needs assessments, provided
formal training, and on going individualized
technical assistance for the business
associations. Their initial work was so
well received that they were invited to
return to Georgia in March and April 2005
for follow-on work.
During this subsequent visit, the number
of associations requesting assistance
went from five to nine. The industries
that they worked with included accounting,
auditing, real estate, marketing, export,
agriculture, alternative dispute resolution
and insurance. Additionally several USAID
staff relied directly on their expertise
in standards and certification to consult
with them on other projects. The Advisor
to the State Minister of Economic Reform
personally requested Plexus’s assistance
in helping him design a governmental template
for a system of personnel regulation that
would cross all employment sectors.
Plexus’s work here in Georgia resulted
in several tangible products that will
continue to support the development of
industry standards and certifications.
They include helping several associations
create individualized self-certification
business plans, a national Summit on Self-Certification,
the creation of a resource library of
materials for the GEGI website, and the
development of an informal networking
forum for associations that can lead to
a sustainable local support system. Another
important product created was a consensus
(government-private sector) designed template
for the government and private sector
to use to define criteria and models for
creating an internationally recognized
personnel regulatory continuum from self-regulation
through shared regulation and government
regulation across all industry sectors.
I
have been extremely pleased with everyone
I have worked with from the Plexus team,
they have all be knowledgeable experts
in their fields, experienced in working
with international arenas and results
oriented. They have provided valuable
insights and assistance to the GEGI project
and I hope to have the opportunity to
work with them again. |
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Dan
A. Berkshire
Business Association and Credit Advisor
Georgia
Enterprise Growth Initiative (GEGI), Republic
of Georgia
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I
was amazed how well (the strategic planning
session) went as was the group. Although they
had been through similar exercises they felt
(this one that you facilitated) was the best
planning exercise the organization has ever
been through....It's going to make a huge difference
as we go forward. |
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Dennis
Barbour
Executive Director
IC&RC
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I
am delighted to be a reference for [the consultant]
of Plexus Consulting Group. Our director of
human resources was very pleased with her work
on team development and organizational planning
with the executives, outside contractors, and
support staff of our Directorate for Strategic
Planning and for our Representative in the United
States office in Washington DC. |
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Terry
Vogt,
Deputy Director General,
Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on
Agriculture
Costa Rica
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[The
Consultant] of Plexus Consulting Group is tops
with me as a mentor, executive coach, and colleague.
She helped me and my staff get through a very
challenging time of transition with grace and
friendliness. |
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Felipe
P Manteiga,
Former Associate Deputy Director General &
Head of Directorate for Strategic Partnerships
Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on
Agriculture
Costa Rica
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CONGRATULATIONS
and MANY THANKS! It was a pleasure to have you
join us at the Board Retreat and to work with
the Board on Strategic Marketing. ASME
(American Society of Mechanical Engineers) is
determined to be a knowledge-based organization
and your assistance in making this happen is
certainly acknowledged and appreciated. |
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Reginald
I. Vachon, Ph. D.
President
ASME International
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On behalf of the Cabinet and staff of the National
Association for Sport and Physical Education
(NASPE), thank you for providing a thorough
analysis of our association's needs in a concise,
well-documented report. Our Cabinet was particularly
impressed by your outstanding presentation about
issues and trends facing our organization.
We look forward to working with you again on
future assignments. |
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Judith
C. Young, Ph.D.
AAHPERD Vice President of Programs
National Association for Sport & Physical
Education, an Association of the American Alliance
for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and
Dance (AAHPERD)
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I am extremely pleased with the performance
of Plexus Consulting. Their flexibility and
responsiveness resulted in a concise, astute
product that was carefully and thoroughly researched
and more than satisfied our needs. This was
accomplished despite a mid-project change in
objective. Plexus quickly adapted to the change
and fulfilled the new criteria. I will include
them in my planning for future projects. |
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LT
Howard Wright
U.S. Coast Guard
Governmental and Public Affairs
(G-I-1)
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In 2002, Plexus mobilized its existing network
of affiliate offices in Europe and Asia to complete
international market research for Goodwill Global
for six national markets: Belgium, France, Japan,
Korea, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. Goodwill
Global contracted the Plexus Consulting Group
to identify high-potential strategic partners
or allies for the Goodwill movement, as well
as existing competitors, as it considers expansion
into these markets. Plexus was instructed to
assess a broad array of potential partners,
including nonprofit organizations, for-profit
corporations, governmental agencies, human services
providers and retail operations, that may have
demanded for Goodwill's key business competencies.
Plexus generated a report for each of the six
markets that included a brief analytical overview
of potential partners, followed by detailed
descriptions and contact information for each
organization that it identified.
The Plexus Consulting Group completed this work
on a fast-track schedule to meet our needs and
provided information on all six markets in the
course of nine weeks. Its final report included
organizational information on 41 potential partners,
and Plexus supplied a larger listing of 31 other
organizations that it had initially researched,
but discounted for future business development
as they did not fully conform to our criteria
and competencies. Plexus' fee was very favorable,
and the firm provided excellent client service
after delivery of its product. |
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Howard
A. Wallack
Director
Goodwill Global, Inc.
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I
want to thank you again for your work with the
Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association (MEBA)
with respect to strategic planning. By all accounts
Thursday was a success. In addition to what
was accomplished, your role as a facilitator
was much valued and appreciated by the leadership
of the union. |
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David
Tubman
Assistant to the Vice President
Marine Engineer's Beneficial Association (MEBA)
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Thank you for your excellent work in making
the CMHC Housing Export Trade Mission to Washington,
D.C. a successful event in terms of the high
quality meetings you arranged for the participants.
The feedback we have received from the [participants]
indicates their satisfaction with the quality
of the potential U.S. partners that they met.
As a direct result of the mission, most of the
participants are currently negotiating representation
and distribution agreements and some are also
quoting or expecting to quote on potential export
orders. Thanks to you and your staff at Plexus
for their support and assistance. |
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Sanjar
Farzaneh
Senior Trade Consultant
Canadian Mortgage & Housing Corporation
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I wanted to take this opportunity to thank the
Plexus team for the expert advice and guidance
that you provided to us regarding the restructuring
of the Foundation's Certification program --
the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives
(ICFE). The feasibility study and survey that
you conducted on our behalf was extremely helpful.
By working with Plexus we were able to bring
outside expertise to bear on our issues and
concerns. Your role in facilitating the strategic
planning sessions was very valuable to us. As
we move ahead with these plans, we look forward
to working with you in the future. |
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John
R. Reynolds
President - Franchise Services Corp.
President - IFA Educational Foundation
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We would like to use this opportunity to thank
Plexus Consulting for their professional excellence
displayed at the training "Internet as
a Tool for Business Association Strengthening"
that took place in Kiev, Ukraine on January
22-25, 2002. Plexus's consultant not only introduced
more than 60 representatives of business associations
from all over Ukraine into the best Internet
practices of American associations, but also
provided them with valuable hands-on advice
on how they can use Internet to better serve
their existing members and attract new ones.
Due to its Soviet past, consequences of communist
ideology and command economy, the Internet in
Ukraine has a relatively short history of development;
that is why the innovative techniques presented
by Plexus were of special value to Ukrainian
business associations, most of whom are novices
in Internet use. In addition, having considerable
experience working with public organizations,
Plexus demonstrated a thorough understanding
of association management, day-to-day operations
and problems they face, as well as an ability
to find solutions to those problems. Thank you
for the great job you've done and may you be
successful in all your endeavors! |
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Tatiana
Petrushchak
Small and Medium Entrepreneurship Policy Specialist
BIZPRO Project, Ukraine
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Plexus Consulting Group played an extremely
important role in facilitating our strategic
planning during 2001. As a 14-member country,
international professional council, operating
under the auspices of a US-based governing body
and having grown despite lack of formal strategic
planning, our true destiny lies beyond US borders.
However, such destiny and vision can only be
reached with sound planning which is in full
recognition of the vision itself. Plexus Consulting
enabled us to distill our vision and then focus
on the vision to develop the strategic mechanisms
to pursue it.
At each stage of the process we achieved new,
fresh outcomes. The [consultant's] manner and
alertness to the task at hand ensured that we
remained focused. She skillfully articulated
the processes required for successful strategic
planning outcomes. She also delicately mediated
discussions between international member countries
and the US representatives in broadly achieving
a governance model truly representative of the
international scene. This - in an environment
of more than eight first languages - is testimony
to the sound methodology adopted by Plexus Consulting
Group. |
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Ray
Griffin
Chairman of the Strategic Planning Task Force
International Certified Financial Planner Council
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It was truly a pleasure working with your group.
You were extremely professional and kept everyone
on track. In the 21 years that I have been an
ISAC member, this type of planning was a first!!
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Lisa
Staiano-Coico, Ph.D.
President
International Society for Analytical Cytology
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Plexus Consulting Group led our international
membership association through an organizational
audit and strategic planning process that was
thorough, professional and effective. Within
a relatively short time frame, we arrived at
a strategic plan that established a road map
for reorganization and a more focused perspective
of our mission. The Plexus Group conducted a
membership survey, interviewed several key opinion
leaders in our association and conducted three
regional focus groups prior to facilitating
our strategic planning session that led to a
new work plan for our board and membership.
Several participants commented on the excellent
work of Plexus and how it helped build confidence
and support among our diverse membership for
our new directions. We are confident that this
audit and planning process was an essential
step in our efforts to redefine our organization.
Our thanks go to the entire Plexus team for
their excellent leadership and support for our
association. |
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Randall
S. Nicklaus
President Board of Directors
Alliance of Information and Referral Systems
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Plexus assisted us in understanding our communications
shortcomings and helped pave the way for cross-programmatic,
internal and external communications improvement.
For some time we knew our communications outreach
program was not hitting on all cylinders. Then
Plexus came in. They stripped our processes
down and identified shortcomings, broke down
programmatic stovepipes, and helped us develop
and set a course for more effective and efficient
strategic communications. In short, our strategic
communications efforts had slowly and steadily
drifted off course. Plexus provided the right
navigational aids to put our communications
efforts back on track. Our plan is now seaworthy
and the foundation for a unified, focused strategic
communications outreach program. |
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Commander
Scott LaRochelle
Communications Specialist Office of Governmental
& Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard
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ICP established a search committee who spent
many hours reviewing the large number of proposals
we received and interviewing potential candidates.
We were convinced that Plexus has the experience,
expertise, and resources, and will devote the
special attention we need to achieve the next
level in our growth. |
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Peter
S. Conti, M.D., Ph.D.
President
Institute for Clinical PET
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I want to tell you how much I appreciate the
support and guidance that you and your team
have given Societas over the past year. Beginning
with the initial strategizing, and ending with
a specific fundraising plan for us to carry
forward, Plexus has truly been a partner in
the creation and launch of our new organization.
I think that you can be proud that [Plexus has]
brought us to the point that we can move ahead
on our own with confidence that we have the
right structure and a good foundation of contacts
and information to build upon. I appreciate
your putting me in touch with very useful contacts,
both here and in Europe, and the willingness
of your team to go the extra mile to help us
in whatever was needed at the time. You can
take credit for having helped in the birth of
a new and dynamic organization. I told the board
that we have received good value from Plexus
for the fees paid, and I hope that we will have
future opportunities to work together as Societas
grows. |
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Debra
L. Erb
President
Societas, International Institute for Real Estate
Finance
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Thank you for your assistance with the Barker
Foundation's strategic planning process. We
asked you to do something quite unusual I would
imagine -- to jump into an on-going process
and shore up our volunteer leadership so that
we would be assured of a plan that would serve
as a guide for the future. Your responsiveness
and expertise were obvious from our first conversation.
You eagerly set about to add value to what we
had already accomplished and to provide guidance
for the next stages. I found your observations
on the importance of mission, vision, and values
to be especially helpful. Your skill was clear
in your handling of the steering committee meeting
where we discussed these topics. The staff of
the agency also appreciated your care and thoroughness
in taking the time to interview each of them
and transmit their thoughts, feelings, and suggestions
to the Board of Trustees. |
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Robin
Allen
Executive Director
The Barker Foundation
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I am writing to follow up on the PIAA Board
of Directors strategic planning session held
last weekend. It is the consensus of our Board
that this was a very valuable session and that
the conclusions drawn will greatly assist us
in leading the Association into the future.
Your personal involvement was most valuable,
and you did an excellent job facilitating the
discussion and encouraging interaction among
the participants. We also appreciate your sharing
your knowledge about industry trends and directions
which helped us view the PIAA's various programs
in context. Many thanks for your assistance
and a job well done. |
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Lawrence
E. Smarr
President
Physician Insurers Association of America
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This is the best strategic planning session
I have participated in... |
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Dr.
John Bilezikian
President
International Society for Clinical Densitometry
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Plexus Consulting Group proved to be a decisive
factor for our non-profit at a time when we
were making some rather fundamental decisions
about our future. Plexus' market research analysis
and strategic planning methodology worked perfectly
for us. They delivered the results we needed
on time and on budget. |
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Bill
Boettge
Executive Director
Board of Certification in Pedorthics
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Plexus Consulting Group proved to be a pivotal
influence at a key time in our organization.
The methodology they provided and the professional
guidance exercised throughout has produced a
strategic plan which will serve both as a rallying
point and a blueprint for our society’s
rejuvenation and growth. |
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Francis Glorieux, MD, PhD
President of the International Bone and Mineral
Society
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The National Association of Manufacturers is
a large and fairly conservative association
that does not undertake change lightly. So when
it came time to choose a consulting firm that
would guide us through one of the most extensive
organizational changes in our 102-year history,
we knew we had to choose carefully. After reviewing
several of the country’s best management
consulting firms we chose Plexus Consulting
Group based on their understanding of our needs,
the experience and quality of their professionals
and their ability to deliver on time and within
budget. We were very pleased with the results.
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Ladd
Biro
Senior Vice President
National Association of Manufacturers
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The Southern Cemetery Association relied on
the expertise of Plexus Consulting Group and
its Market Survey practice to provide our group
with valuable industry intelligence and know-how
and guided us gently through a process of making
important and right decisions at a time when
our association had to face a crossroads leading
into prosperity or failure. Southern Cemetery
Association’s Board and I could not be
more pleased about the experience of having
worked with Plexus Consulting Group. |
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Marcia
Austin Echols
President
Southern Cemetery Association
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Plexus Consulting Group assisted us in exploring
the feasibility of establishing a higher certification
and education program for property and real
estate managers in the United States. To do
this they undertook nationwide quantitative
and qualitative market research consisting of
direct mail surveys, focus group sessions and
one-on-one interviews with opinion leaders.
They designed the program and handled every
aspect of it flawlessly. Furthermore they brought
their firm’s experience to bear in offering
us guidance as to how such a program should
be structured and managed. We are very happy
with the depth, breadth and quality of the management
consulting services we received from Plexus
Consulting Group. |
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Patricia
M. Areno CAE
Vice President, Education, Convention &
Meetings
Building Owners & Managers Association International
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I would like to thank [the Plexus team] for
a most productive three-hour meeting. You are
very skilled at enabling a group of strangers
to focus on a task and move it along to completion.
I very much enjoyed my afternoon with you and
have taken the opportunity to share my experience
with our Director. |
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Alice
Mary Hymel
Northern Virginia Training Center
(AAMR Focus Group Participant)
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The [Plexus Knowledge Center's staff’s]
great judgment about what would be important
for us and their great teamwork reduced our
anxiety about being out of the loop and helped
our members relax and enjoy their great conference.
They provided up-to-date information that kept
us in front of the latest developments. I felt
like ‘my’ Washington office came
through for me. |
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Judy
Kennedy
Executive Director
National Association of Affordable Housing Lenders
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The American Association on Mental Retardation
chose Plexus Consulting Group in a very competitive
bid. We were not disappointed in our choice.
Plexus’ market research capability and
their strategic planning methodology were an
ideal match for our large and diversified membership.
Most importantly, they showed a sensitivity
and insight into our organization that proved
absolutely critical to the success of our effort
to re-invent ourselves. Our 125 year old association
has embarked on a new course that we are sure
will put us on track for growth and prosperity
in the years to come. |
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Doreen
Croser
Executive Director
American Association on Mental Retardation
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Under the skillful direction of Plexus Consultants,
our organization underwent a self-identification
process based on results of a recent membership
survey. The facilitator guided our thoughts
and aspirations into a strategic plan flexible
enough to adapt to changing needs but sufficiently
detailed enough to ensure commitment and follow
through. The future holds great promise for
us. |
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Karen
McKinley
President
National Association of Healthcare Access Management
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