ANN ARBOR, Mich., Dec. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Simpler Consulting, a Truven Health Analytics company and leading global management consulting firm, today announced that Dr. Patricia A. Gabow and Philip L. Goodman were awarded the Shingo Research and Professional Publication Award for their book, The Lean Prescription: Powerful Medicine for Our Ailing Healthcare System. Patricia Gabow, M.D., is a senior advisor at Simpler Consulting and former CEO of Denver Health, a large integrated public healthcare system.
The Shingo Research and Professional Publication Award recognizes and promotes research and writing regarding new knowledge and understanding of lean and operational excellence.
"We would like to congratulate Dr. Gabow and Phil Goodman for being recognized with the prestigious Shingo Award, a worthy acclaim for having thoroughly captured seven years of experience in an engaging and straight forward re-telling of their Lean transformation of Denver Health," said Marc Hafer, president of Simpler Consulting. "All of us that know and worked closely with Patty appreciate her unparalleled attention to detail and hands on leadership of her operations as CEO of this magnificent public hospital system. In The Lean Prescription, that same Gabow mastery of nuances and the critical elements of transforming a large health system are factually presented, covering not just select clinical areas but the whole enterprise...as it should be done."
The Lean Prescription offers a comprehensive account of how Denver Health applied Lean management to realize nearly $200 million of well-documented, hard financial benefit in just seven years. Through Denver Health's journey, readers learn how Lean management can be utilized to achieve dramatic results such as eliminating waste, cutting costs, engaging employees and improving patient care. The Lean Prescription provides a step-by-step analysis of the implementation of Lean principles, from the integral role of leadership in leveraging Lean principles and techniques for detecting and eliminating waste, to the process of Lean deployment and effectively using the right metrics.
"I am honored to be the recipient of the Shingo Research and Professional Publication Award," said Dr. Gabow. "Leading the charge on Denver Health's Lean transformation was an eye-opening experience that I hope inspires other healthcare organizations to transform through Lean. The Shingo Institute and its awards recognize organizational commitment to leveraging principles for operational excellence. It is a privilege to receive this award as I truly believe that implementing Lean into healthcare organizations can lead to dramatic improvements."
Patricia Gabow and Philip Goodman will be presented the Shingo Research and Professional Publication Award at the 28th Annual International Shingo Conference April 25-29, 2016 in Washington, D.C.
see more at: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/simpler-consulting-senior-advisor-dr-patricia-gabow-receives-shingo-research-and-professional-publication-award-300194119.html
Friday, December 18, 2015
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Bronx Assemblyman Decides Not to Take Political Consulting Job
THE BRONX — Bronx Assemblyman Michael Blake is not taking a job with a top political consulting firm, following outcry over the announcement he made the same day former Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos was convicted in a corruption trial.
Rebecca Katz, a partner at Hilltop Public Solutions, confirmed that Blake would not be joining the firm as a partner. Blake said the decision was his.
"While everything was ethical and appropriate, the climate right now creates a perception," Blake said in an interview.
He added that he didn't want the "distraction" the job created.
Good government groups criticized the announcement Friday that Blake, who has spoken in favor of ethics reform, would take such a position, especially given the climate in Albany around corruption.
Two of the most powerful politicians in the state — Skelos and former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver— were both convicted of selling their offices by federal prosecutors within the last month.
Both convictions involved outside employment.
Silver was convicted of receiving millions in kickbacks from companies with business before the state by masking the income as money earned from legitimate employment.
Skelos and his son Adam were convicted on eight counts of bribery and extortion after Skelos's son secured no-show jobs based on the promise of favorable legislation.
"How many prosecutions will it take before Albany gives the people of New York the honest government they deserve?" U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara tweeted after Skelos was convicted.
Blake's announcement came on the same day Skelos was convicted. The press release did not mention that Blake was an assemblyman.
Blake said he had cleared the position with a state ethics commission and saw no conflict of interest because he would be working with national and international clients. Being a state legislator is officially considered a part-time job. Many assemblymen and senators have outside work.
Although he is single and without children, Blake said he uses his income to support his mother and a nephew, among other family members.
"I understand the sensitivity," said Blake who added that he already consulted for national and international clients over the last year.
"In the exact same way that individuals have multiple jobs to support their families and provide for their needs, this is no different," he added.
Greatly reducing or eliminating the ability of state lawmakers to earn outside income while boosting their salaries is one of the proposed solutions to reduce corruption in Albany.
see more at: https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20151214/high-bridge/bronx-assemblyman-decides-not-take-political-consulting-job
Rebecca Katz, a partner at Hilltop Public Solutions, confirmed that Blake would not be joining the firm as a partner. Blake said the decision was his.
"While everything was ethical and appropriate, the climate right now creates a perception," Blake said in an interview.
He added that he didn't want the "distraction" the job created.
Good government groups criticized the announcement Friday that Blake, who has spoken in favor of ethics reform, would take such a position, especially given the climate in Albany around corruption.
Two of the most powerful politicians in the state — Skelos and former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver— were both convicted of selling their offices by federal prosecutors within the last month.
Both convictions involved outside employment.
Silver was convicted of receiving millions in kickbacks from companies with business before the state by masking the income as money earned from legitimate employment.
Skelos and his son Adam were convicted on eight counts of bribery and extortion after Skelos's son secured no-show jobs based on the promise of favorable legislation.
"How many prosecutions will it take before Albany gives the people of New York the honest government they deserve?" U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara tweeted after Skelos was convicted.
Blake's announcement came on the same day Skelos was convicted. The press release did not mention that Blake was an assemblyman.
Blake said he had cleared the position with a state ethics commission and saw no conflict of interest because he would be working with national and international clients. Being a state legislator is officially considered a part-time job. Many assemblymen and senators have outside work.
Although he is single and without children, Blake said he uses his income to support his mother and a nephew, among other family members.
"I understand the sensitivity," said Blake who added that he already consulted for national and international clients over the last year.
"In the exact same way that individuals have multiple jobs to support their families and provide for their needs, this is no different," he added.
Greatly reducing or eliminating the ability of state lawmakers to earn outside income while boosting their salaries is one of the proposed solutions to reduce corruption in Albany.
see more at: https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20151214/high-bridge/bronx-assemblyman-decides-not-take-political-consulting-job
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
A Consulting Firm Hired By Uber Found That Its Drivers Are Very Happy
Uber released a survey on Monday whose findings tend to support its position in misclassification lawsuits and regulatory battles. The survey found the ride-hailing company's drivers are happier than ever and most work part-time, but it has also been criticized for excluding key data points like driver earnings and how many drivers work full-time—omissions that are less surprising when you consider that the study was conducted by a brand strategy firm.
The survey polled 833 of Uber's more than 400,000 drivers. Eighty-one percent of them said they were satisfied with the experience of driving for Uber, a slight increase over the 78% who gave the same response in a similar survey released back in January 2015.
Uber, which is facing lawsuits in several states alleging that its drivers—though classified as contractors—are treated as employees, has argued that it serves as a flexible option for people to earn supplemental income on their own terms. The survey found that 69% of its drivers have other full-time or part-time work outside of Uber, and that 50% drive fewer than 10 hours per week on average. Almost all the drivers, 97% of participants, said they were satisfied with the flexibility that Uber allowed them.
Uber has also cast itself as an option for students, parents working around children's schedules, and people between jobs. The survey reported that 11% of its drivers are students, 48% have children 18 years old or younger living at home, and 67% had no prior professional driving experience.
Just as important, however, is what doesn't appear in the survey results. Though the survey reported that most drivers are part-time drivers, it did not report how many drivers worked more than 40 hours per week (20% rely on Uber as their sole source of income). Last year, the survey reported that drivers who had previously driven taxis earned $23 per hour but that did not account for driver expenses, like gas, that significantly reduce take-home pay. This year, during which some drivers have complained about fare cuts that impact their pay, there's no information about driver pay. Though the survey examines whether drivers like the flexibility on the platform, it doesn't ask them, for instance, whether they're happy with their pay or the way that the company communicates with them.
Uber's survey seems to paint a selective picture of its drivers. Which is exactly what it's designed to do. Like many companies, Uber hired a brand strategy firm called Benenson Strategy Group to incorporate data into its message.
see more at: http://www.fastcompany.com/3054331/a-consulting-firm-hired-by-uber-found-that-its-drivers-are-very-happy
The survey polled 833 of Uber's more than 400,000 drivers. Eighty-one percent of them said they were satisfied with the experience of driving for Uber, a slight increase over the 78% who gave the same response in a similar survey released back in January 2015.
Uber, which is facing lawsuits in several states alleging that its drivers—though classified as contractors—are treated as employees, has argued that it serves as a flexible option for people to earn supplemental income on their own terms. The survey found that 69% of its drivers have other full-time or part-time work outside of Uber, and that 50% drive fewer than 10 hours per week on average. Almost all the drivers, 97% of participants, said they were satisfied with the flexibility that Uber allowed them.
Uber has also cast itself as an option for students, parents working around children's schedules, and people between jobs. The survey reported that 11% of its drivers are students, 48% have children 18 years old or younger living at home, and 67% had no prior professional driving experience.
Just as important, however, is what doesn't appear in the survey results. Though the survey reported that most drivers are part-time drivers, it did not report how many drivers worked more than 40 hours per week (20% rely on Uber as their sole source of income). Last year, the survey reported that drivers who had previously driven taxis earned $23 per hour but that did not account for driver expenses, like gas, that significantly reduce take-home pay. This year, during which some drivers have complained about fare cuts that impact their pay, there's no information about driver pay. Though the survey examines whether drivers like the flexibility on the platform, it doesn't ask them, for instance, whether they're happy with their pay or the way that the company communicates with them.
Uber's survey seems to paint a selective picture of its drivers. Which is exactly what it's designed to do. Like many companies, Uber hired a brand strategy firm called Benenson Strategy Group to incorporate data into its message.
see more at: http://www.fastcompany.com/3054331/a-consulting-firm-hired-by-uber-found-that-its-drivers-are-very-happy
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Why PR Consulting Took on Grindr
SWITCHING GEARS: The fashion industry must have let out a collective giggle Tuesday when PR Consulting revealed via e-mail that it would be representing a new, unexpected brand: Grindr.
Grindr, which was founded in 2009 by Joel Simkhai, is a popular location-based dating app for gay and bisexual men — Marc Jacobs was a fan.
The relationship could appear off-brand, but according to PR Consulting’s cofounders, Pierre Rougier and Sylvie Picquet-Damesme, Grindr offers an opportunity for fashion brands to reach a vast number of people.
“It might seem surprising to some in the fashion community that we would take Grindr on as a client, but this is a very large platform with more than seven million users worldwide and one million users engaged every second on Grindr. It would be foolish to think that the fashion, lifestyle, beauty and luxury industries would not view this as an incredible platform to reach an influential, potential consumer,” the cofounders told WWD.
The size of the audience aside, the responses on Twitter to the news ranged from disbelief to jokes about the entertaining prospects of the partnership:
see more at: http://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/pr-consulting-grindr-10288462/
Grindr, which was founded in 2009 by Joel Simkhai, is a popular location-based dating app for gay and bisexual men — Marc Jacobs was a fan.
The relationship could appear off-brand, but according to PR Consulting’s cofounders, Pierre Rougier and Sylvie Picquet-Damesme, Grindr offers an opportunity for fashion brands to reach a vast number of people.
“It might seem surprising to some in the fashion community that we would take Grindr on as a client, but this is a very large platform with more than seven million users worldwide and one million users engaged every second on Grindr. It would be foolish to think that the fashion, lifestyle, beauty and luxury industries would not view this as an incredible platform to reach an influential, potential consumer,” the cofounders told WWD.
The size of the audience aside, the responses on Twitter to the news ranged from disbelief to jokes about the entertaining prospects of the partnership:
see more at: http://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/pr-consulting-grindr-10288462/
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Ethiopia: Disagreement Between Consulting Firms Delays Study On GERD
The disagreement between the two consulting firms on GERD to work in accordance with the directive of the Tripartite National Technical Committee has delayed the study, according to Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Electricity.
The companies are given the last chance to inform the 10th_Tripartite National Technical Committee whether they are willing to carry out the study in line with the directive and their responsibilities.
The letter written by Ethiopia to Egypt and Sudan about the date of the next meeting of Tripartite National Technical Committee has not, however, received any response.
Border and Cross-Border Rivers Affairs Advisor to the Minister, Tefera Beyene told ENA that the two consulting firms selected to conduct studies on the possible socio-economic impacts of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the lower riparian countries has not yet began.
The consulting firms were selected to conduct study on the possible impacts and associated impacts that may occur due to the change in the course of Nile._
Tefera said the Tripartite National Technical Committee selected the French BRL as the main firm to carry out 70 per cent of the study and hired the Dutch Deltares as a sub-contractor for the rest of the task as per the request of Egypt in order to create mutual trust among the committee member countries.
Though the consulting firms were supposed to submit their findings within 15 months to the committee, they have not yet submitted the study due to disagreements between themselves, the advisor elaborated.
Even if Ethiopia proposed the entire task to be given to a contractor selected by all the three countries so as to quickly complete the study, it was not accepted due to Egypt's unwillingness to agree on the idea and hence the current delay, Tefera pointed out.
He said GERD, in addition to being designed in a way that ensures the benefits of the lower riparian countries, has opened opportunity for the countries to work closely.
see more: http://allafrica.com/stories/201511251689.html
The companies are given the last chance to inform the 10th_Tripartite National Technical Committee whether they are willing to carry out the study in line with the directive and their responsibilities.
The letter written by Ethiopia to Egypt and Sudan about the date of the next meeting of Tripartite National Technical Committee has not, however, received any response.
Border and Cross-Border Rivers Affairs Advisor to the Minister, Tefera Beyene told ENA that the two consulting firms selected to conduct studies on the possible socio-economic impacts of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the lower riparian countries has not yet began.
The consulting firms were selected to conduct study on the possible impacts and associated impacts that may occur due to the change in the course of Nile._
Tefera said the Tripartite National Technical Committee selected the French BRL as the main firm to carry out 70 per cent of the study and hired the Dutch Deltares as a sub-contractor for the rest of the task as per the request of Egypt in order to create mutual trust among the committee member countries.
Though the consulting firms were supposed to submit their findings within 15 months to the committee, they have not yet submitted the study due to disagreements between themselves, the advisor elaborated.
Even if Ethiopia proposed the entire task to be given to a contractor selected by all the three countries so as to quickly complete the study, it was not accepted due to Egypt's unwillingness to agree on the idea and hence the current delay, Tefera pointed out.
He said GERD, in addition to being designed in a way that ensures the benefits of the lower riparian countries, has opened opportunity for the countries to work closely.
see more: http://allafrica.com/stories/201511251689.html
Friday, November 20, 2015
Combining the ‘know-how and know-who’ in consulting
Having spent three decades in Germany working for other people, Brendan McKearney recently established his own consultancy service to advise Irish companies supplying high tech solutions to the German automotive and technology sectors.
McKearney left Frankfurt-based Fujitsu Semiconductor this year after 25 years, during which McKearney rose to the top of the organisation becoming its managing director in 2009 and its first European-born president and management board member in 2011.
Europeans often struggle with the Japanese way of doing things. McKearney thrived and says growing up in a farming community in Ballybay, Co Monaghan, prepared him well for the consensus culture.
“I came from a background with a history of farmers sharing equipment and helping each other out. In ways it was very similar to the co-operative Japanese approach,” he says.
“There is still a huge difference in business culture between Asia and Europe but I think being Irish helps,” he adds. “We’re generally good with people, willing to work hard and adaptable. I definitely wouldn’t say the Germans work harder but their focus is different and their most notable trait is that they’re very gracious losers at football . . . They emphasise being effective and efficient whereas Irish people like to improvise and just get things done with the tools in hand.”
Japanese companies often get criticised for not empowering overseas employees and subsidiaries. McKearney says Fujitsu was the opposite.
“We had over 400 people in Europe and fewer than 5 per cent were Japanese. The Fujitsu culture in Europe was very dynamic. We had a lot of autonomy, world-class design teams and revenues of several hundred million euro. During my time as president, we won first place twice in our category in the Great Place to Work awards.”
McKearney left Ireland in 1984 when the economy was on its knees and jobs for young graduates were rare as hen’s teeth. He had studied electrical engineering at DIT Kevin Street and ended up in Germany by chance. It could easily have been Britain or the United States as he had applied for jobs in both.
Language classes
His first job was as a development engineer at EPI Messtechnik in Wiesbaden. He quickly recognised that fluency in German would be a major asset and took language classes at night followed by a degree in German.
He joined Fujitsu Semiconductor in 1989 as a technical author before moving into product marketing. He then spent the next 25 years developing the business in major European vertical markets.
read more: http://www.irishtimes.com/business/work/combining-the-know-how-and-know-who-in-consulting-1.2435184
McKearney left Frankfurt-based Fujitsu Semiconductor this year after 25 years, during which McKearney rose to the top of the organisation becoming its managing director in 2009 and its first European-born president and management board member in 2011.
Europeans often struggle with the Japanese way of doing things. McKearney thrived and says growing up in a farming community in Ballybay, Co Monaghan, prepared him well for the consensus culture.
“I came from a background with a history of farmers sharing equipment and helping each other out. In ways it was very similar to the co-operative Japanese approach,” he says.
“There is still a huge difference in business culture between Asia and Europe but I think being Irish helps,” he adds. “We’re generally good with people, willing to work hard and adaptable. I definitely wouldn’t say the Germans work harder but their focus is different and their most notable trait is that they’re very gracious losers at football . . . They emphasise being effective and efficient whereas Irish people like to improvise and just get things done with the tools in hand.”
Japanese companies often get criticised for not empowering overseas employees and subsidiaries. McKearney says Fujitsu was the opposite.
“We had over 400 people in Europe and fewer than 5 per cent were Japanese. The Fujitsu culture in Europe was very dynamic. We had a lot of autonomy, world-class design teams and revenues of several hundred million euro. During my time as president, we won first place twice in our category in the Great Place to Work awards.”
McKearney left Ireland in 1984 when the economy was on its knees and jobs for young graduates were rare as hen’s teeth. He had studied electrical engineering at DIT Kevin Street and ended up in Germany by chance. It could easily have been Britain or the United States as he had applied for jobs in both.
Language classes
His first job was as a development engineer at EPI Messtechnik in Wiesbaden. He quickly recognised that fluency in German would be a major asset and took language classes at night followed by a degree in German.
He joined Fujitsu Semiconductor in 1989 as a technical author before moving into product marketing. He then spent the next 25 years developing the business in major European vertical markets.
read more: http://www.irishtimes.com/business/work/combining-the-know-how-and-know-who-in-consulting-1.2435184
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
The perfect resume for consulting
If you want to break into a Big Four consulting division, or move into the likes of Bain or McKinsey, you need to make your CV all about tangible achievements.
It’s all very well gaining the right sort of experience, but how you applied yourself, got your ideas across and implemented the right strategy are equally as important to convey on your resume as putting big brand names up in lights.
So, what does it take to impress? We’ve spoken to specialist consulting recruiters who told us what they expect from the perfect consulting CV.
1. You will include a brief personal statement
Personal statements in resumes are frowned upon in the financial sector, but a brief summary of the sectors you specialise in, combined with some indication of what results you achieved during your latest assignments are encouraged, says Rakesh Pabbi, a former KPMG consultant who now heads executive search firm Consulting Point.
“The key here is to be concise and not too wordy,” he says. “This is a test – if you can’t sell yourself concisely, how can you get a complex point across to a client effectively?”
If you’re applying for an entry-level role, start with your academics, however.
2. You will summarise your achievements in a table
Pabbi says that you have around 20 seconds to impress with your resume. The best way to pull in a recruiter is to outline your sector expertise and client list in an easily digestible table, says Pabbi. Here’s an example:
Industry Sector Selected Major Clients
Oil and Gas BP, Saudi Aramco, Q8
Petrochemicals Stahl, EQUATE
Automotive Jaguar Land Rover, Fiat, GM
Industrials GKN, Michelin, Meggitt, QinetiQ
Consumer & Retail SABMiller, Birds Eye, Wight Salads, ATS
Utilities EON, Veolia, RWE
3. You will be very exact about academic qualifications
Consulting has traditionally been a magnet for MBAs from top business schools, but in spite of this it’s rarely a requirement, says Richard Stewart, managing director of consulting recruiters Mindbench. Instead, consultants want to see a) a first class degree and b) a top university listed on academic achievements.
read more: http://news.efinancialcareers.com/uk-en/225615/the-perfect-resume-for-consulting/
It’s all very well gaining the right sort of experience, but how you applied yourself, got your ideas across and implemented the right strategy are equally as important to convey on your resume as putting big brand names up in lights.
So, what does it take to impress? We’ve spoken to specialist consulting recruiters who told us what they expect from the perfect consulting CV.
1. You will include a brief personal statement
Personal statements in resumes are frowned upon in the financial sector, but a brief summary of the sectors you specialise in, combined with some indication of what results you achieved during your latest assignments are encouraged, says Rakesh Pabbi, a former KPMG consultant who now heads executive search firm Consulting Point.
“The key here is to be concise and not too wordy,” he says. “This is a test – if you can’t sell yourself concisely, how can you get a complex point across to a client effectively?”
If you’re applying for an entry-level role, start with your academics, however.
2. You will summarise your achievements in a table
Pabbi says that you have around 20 seconds to impress with your resume. The best way to pull in a recruiter is to outline your sector expertise and client list in an easily digestible table, says Pabbi. Here’s an example:
Industry Sector Selected Major Clients
Oil and Gas BP, Saudi Aramco, Q8
Petrochemicals Stahl, EQUATE
Automotive Jaguar Land Rover, Fiat, GM
Industrials GKN, Michelin, Meggitt, QinetiQ
Consumer & Retail SABMiller, Birds Eye, Wight Salads, ATS
Utilities EON, Veolia, RWE
3. You will be very exact about academic qualifications
Consulting has traditionally been a magnet for MBAs from top business schools, but in spite of this it’s rarely a requirement, says Richard Stewart, managing director of consulting recruiters Mindbench. Instead, consultants want to see a) a first class degree and b) a top university listed on academic achievements.
read more: http://news.efinancialcareers.com/uk-en/225615/the-perfect-resume-for-consulting/
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