Conserve: I use a conservative, fast approach: Conservative because only when I have exhausted both my communications skills and your peoples knowledge will I propose introducing new knowledge or resources; fast because in-house knowledge is at hand - it just needs revealing.
Exploit Diverse Experience: As background I have experience at every level in a high tech business plus specialized practical communication skills developed in technical, marketing, product definition, consulting and management positions. In many positions I have been able to create innovative solutions by drawing on the multi-disciplinary skills and knowledge of people across the business.
Use Tech, Business background: Because I have extensive high tech background I can quickly understand your situation - people, technology, products, markets, business strategy - to a level where I can exploit my communication skills to find a solution to your problems in your business context. Plus I have good understanding of a broad range of business issues from technical through marketing (distribution, sales, promotion) to finance, manufacturing and staff retention. I recognize that your business is a human system, with many unpredictable complexities.
Bridge Across the Business: I can bridge all the functions in your business - customer through sales, manufacturing, R and D, strategy, tactics, personalities. I've seen lots of different technologies, distribution channels, sales people, customers, facilities...all kinds of resources. I've seen lots of management structures and styles, so I can adapt to yours...I know there are as many ways of doing things as there are people.
Exploit Problem Similarities: I have seen lots of problem-opportunity situations - so whilst yours is new and exciting there will probably be overlaps, or parallels or similarities - which will help me solve your problem fast.
Interviewing Experience: I know how to interview from you: Your view of the problem, the business's limitations and opportunities, the constraints and flexibility's that are unique to your situation - the people, product, technology, manufacturing, service and support, product distribution, customers...
No Baggage: As a Consultant I don't have the individual, group and interpersonal history and baggage of your people so I am free to facilitate creation of a solution that fits your requirements. The introduction of a person facilitating communication gives everybody room to recognize potential solutions; as a facilitator I don't threaten anybody in your organization, because I am transient. People can use my presence as an opportunity to shift positions.
Role-Playing: I can be technical leader, program manager, project leader, engineering manager, decision driver, facilitator, motivator in your business, in the context of finding a solution to your problem. I can work on major products or necessary minor products, localization, special orders....
Problem Solving is Exciting ! I regard myself as an active problem solver; I want to solve your problem because I find problem solving exciting, stimulating and personally rewarding. I don't want to advise or train or give courses other than as (i) an introduction (ii) a necessary part of solving your problem or after the problem is solved, (iii) if there is a need - and finally if I have an interest and capability.
Persistent... will stay with the problem until it is solved - 3 days, 3 weeks, 3 months - whatever it takes. I will give frequent candid reports appraising the situation and giving feedback as to the solubility of the problem and the risks in the situation I am investigating. If I think your problem is truly insoluble as defined I will tell you as soon as I know confidently.
Limitations: I know that there are limitations. I am not going to "blue-sky" you a solution - my objective is a realistic, workable solution that fits your constraints. If I cannot find such a solution I will tell you why and work with you to explore and pressure the constraints to find the best approach.
Fresh Perspectives: I can help your people see the problem and to see themselves from alternative perspectives, increasing their ability to find a solution. My experience is that your staff are likely to already have a solution to your problems - it just needs uncovering and focusing.
Diverse Situations and People: I've been in fast businesses, slow business, methodical business, frantic businesses, small businesses, big businesses, one-site businesses, multi-national businesses, new businesses, old businesses, fat businesses, lean businesses...and in businesses moving between various of these states. I've met every kind of high tech person (well almost) in almost every kind of high tech situation - I know the variations, the angles, the arguments, the circumstances, the pressures, the effects of history, the differing interpretations, the growth stages...
Diverse Products and Services: I've been involved with low volume unique system products, high volume consumer products, professional products, telecom products, RF Products, software products, hardware products, mechanical products, instrument products, IP-knowledge products, contract businesses, main line products, sideline products, products produced here and elsewhere by in-house manufacturing and by contractors.....
Multi-Function: I can talk - and understand - the languages of sales, marketing, engineering, finance, R and D, customers, manufacturing, quality, management...as needed to communicate with your people and understand your business environment.
Multi-Ethnic: I have worked with people from Canada, all over the US, England, Australia, Korea, Jamaica, South America, South Africa, Serbia, Germany, Croatia, Taiwan, The Netherlands, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, China, Hong Kong, Russia, Ukraine, Hungary, Romania, Israel, Norway, Trinidad.....
Multi-Responsibility: I have been project manager, salesman, VP, production line operator, technical leader-innovator, IC designer, new product definer, software developer, engineering manager, software manager, system designer, innovator, negotiator, competitive analyst, project leader, scientist, consultant, program manager, hirer and firer, tech writer, recruiter, inventor, mechanical designer, system analyst, product architect...