Testimonials
No one likes an outsider telling them what to do. But everyone can appreciate experienced facilitators asking good questions from each important perspective.
|
"I learned about Van Mell Associates' Question-Based Planning in my position as a director at Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital,
where it's been a repeat success; the one-page 'goal tree' really got my attention. Applying it at Culver Franchising System, Inc.,
it helped our management team get and stay focused on the key issues. The recession has been tough on everyone, but the plan
helped us make real progress in every discipline. The managers actually enjoyed the monthly progress meetings. We rarely use
consultants, but I found Derrick easy to work with, passionate and helpful. I'm happy to recommend him, his firm and his process."
- Phil Keiser, President and COO, Culver Franchising System, Inc.
"As part of our recent bank examination, one of the areas that is always reviewed is the bank's approach to strategic planning.
While our lead examiner was surprised to see our question-based plan boiled down to one page, she was pleased with our "pragmatic approach
to strategic planning." She could clearly see and understand our goals and by the use of our scorecard could track our progress towards
meeting them. I would say our process was a refreshing change for her and that it helped her to better understand our future plans for the
bank. Thank you for all of your guidance with our planning process."
- Paul Hoffmann, President and CEO, Monona State Bank
"I asked my staff if we would have had the growth and successes that we did in 2010 without the help of Van Mell Associates. They all said 'no.'
The discipline they gave us in the monthly progress meetings kept us on track and let us accomplish our goals in a way we wouldn't have done ourselves."
- Rita Giovannoni, Executive Director, Independent Living
"I've been to weekend "strategic planning" retreats in which we were supposed to write a mission statement, set goals and
create an action plan. It never worked. Derrick showed us planning is a real discipline that takes good business and communication
skills and the maturity to get at the tough issues. I never want to see another sticky dot."
- Gene Purcell, Executive Director, Educational Communications Board
"We've hired niche experts in the past but never got the results that we did with the Van Mell Associates'
team with experiences in different fields in different industries. We could tell they worked together well, bringing
us a down-to-earth perspective that made our planning fast and effective."
- Kevin Metcalfe, Owner, Metcalfe's Markets
"We've used lots of planning techniques over the years. I can truly say Question-Based Planning process is completely new:
its one-page plan quickly provided a clear path towards goals our people are excited about. We actually use it. I recommend
Van Mell Associates and their planning approach even if you already have a traditional business plan somewhere."
- Jody Glynn-Patrick, Publisher, InBusiness
"This process and plan helped me find my voice as leader of the organization."
- Ruth Schmidt, Executive Director WECA
"As a speaker, Derrick did a great job with both message and delivery. I appreciate his straightforward,
comfortable approach and delivery ... very down to earth."
- Lisa Arington, President & CEO Shared Medical Services, Inc.
"One of my managers commented that, with Question-Based Business Planning, 'Our initial 2 hour session gave us a lot of focus quickly.'
The website is a great tool for generating productive discussion among the managers; the outline of questions prompted
us to take a few key actions right away. This is a tool CEOs of any size business would find useful."
- Jim Garner, CEO Sergenian's Floor Coverings, Inc.
"This is not about creating a big plan book that sits on the shelf.
Question-Based Business Planning gives each business focus by breaking things down into key problem-solving areas."
- Jeanie Farmer, Partner Smith & Gesteland
"Question-Based Business Planning was a breath of fresh air. Their disciplined, plain English approach to business
planning helped our managers focus fast on our key challenges. Getting agreement on critical
questions quickly got everyone working together on the big tasks for the year."
- Tom Oakley, President & CEO Bridge Laboratories
"When our board recommended strategic planning, I was dreading it, but Question-Based Business Planning
let us do everything in plain English. The questioning process naturally led us to
see how all the departments interconnect, and the benchmark goals and tasks are keeping
us focused. We're already making great progress."
- Becky Steinhoff, Executive Director Goodman Community Center
"Even though things are going very well for us and the principals have a strong relationship,
Derrick's focus and discipline helped us find the time for the planning conversations we know we
should have throughout the year. Using the Question-Based Business Planning question grid and the question-based process we quickly
listed the key issues that we need to prioritize as our long and short-term goals."
-Jim Gersich, Partner Dimension IV
"Derrick's presentation to the American Marketing Association was well-organized and professionally
presented, and also stimulated an excellent discussion among peers."
-Ruth Dumesic, Business Development Director, Suby Von Hayden Associates
"Question-Based Business Planning laid the framework for where we collectively feel we should be heading ... and for creating an action list/timetable
to help us get there. This is exactly the directive we have needed to help us move into and through this next phase of business growth."
- Sarah Smith, President Sarah's Hope Jewelry
|
|
|