our approach to business...

As an experienced executive and intrapreneur I am used to working with the senior managers and entrepreneurs in a diversity of high tech businesses. My preferred style is direct, personal, frank...it has to be because I believe that such individuals want objective, realistic results from knowledgeable, expert people, reflecting the need for their businesses success in highly competitive, fast moving markets.
I will adapt my approach and style to your situation and your people; work to present a range of options and, if desired, assist in the decision making process and in the subsequent motivation and commitment steps.
I will not be reluctant to take a position on the best approach and will responsibly advocate it in discussion with you and your staff.

My personal commitment is:

(i) to carefully evaluate whether my approach and your business situation are compatible.
(ii) to only take on assignments when I believe I have a reasonable probability of achieving the outcome you need.

It is my view that your satisfaction with my services is central to my success. At the end of the day, for Pateo, as with any other supplier, it is your choice of whether to pay for my services that finally measures your satisfaction.

Specifics: How Pateo does Business

I summarize below the framework within which I view and practice consulting, under the following headings:

What is Management Consulting ?
Reasons for using a Consultant...
When do you need a Consultant...
How do you get value from a Consultant ?

We welcome your enquiry's.
Andrew Herrington
Pateo Consulting

Phone: (519) 635-5308;
email:  pateo.com.;

Framework for Business:

Management Consulting ?

"The service provided by an independent and qualified person or persons in identifying and investigating problems concerned with policy, organization, procedures and methods; recommending appropriate action and helping to implement these recommendations."
From: Institute of Management Consultants, London, U.K.

"Let's think about consulting: It's hypothesis generation; statement of purpose; methodology; recommendation; and then reiterate. If you look at our approach, and if you look at most consulting firms' approaches, they are variations of something that's been around for hundreds and hundreds of years. Which is the scientific method."
From: Anthony Tjan, Boston. National Post Dec 31 1999

Reasons for using a Consultant....?
  1. To provide special knowledge and skills
  2. To supply intensive professional help on a temporary basis
  3. To give an impartial outside viewpoint
  4. To create, develop, 'float', try, introduce new ideas from an independent position.
  5. To provide an opportunity for individual positions on critical issues to change.
  6. To provide comparisons to, and insights from, other businesses.
  7. To mentor and coach new managers.
  8. To provide a sounding board for ideas, individually or to groups.
  9. To solve specific problems.
  10. To provide neutral facilitation in contentious situations.
  11. To provide interim management or leadership during a transition.
  12. To create new channels of communication.
When do you need a Consultant...?
  1. Recognize that you have a problem that is beyond your usual scope or available resources.
  2. Analyze your problem to decide just what kind of help (what kind of consultant) you need.
  3. ...then - handle the issue of...
  4. Finding, choosing and using the consultant.
Each of the above has concealed within it a number of other problems - such as:
  1. Overcoming the reluctance to admit to yourself that you need help in solving a problem.
  2. Evaluating the cost quoted by the applicants
  3. Evaluating the applicants credentials.
  4. Handling the process of finding the consultant.
  5. Managing the consultant."
(From: Choosing and using a consultant by Herman Holtz; Wiley ISBN: 0471602876)

How do you get value from a Consultant ?

I recommend review of an article written by the principal of a US "Consultant to Consultants", E. Michael Shays.
The article describes the way to start an engagement and recommends an attitudinal approach, and then proceeds with:

"What to Expect from the Consulting Process"
"Once the Assignment is Underway"
"What If The Fee Seems Too High?"
"Research, Results and Feedback"
"How to Evaluate the Consultant's Advice"
"Act Immediately on the Recommendations".

I work generally within the structure described in this article.

Contact:

To explore finding a solution to a current issue or discuss something mentioned here call Andrew Herrington - Canada (519) 635-5308/ UK - Mobile: 077 36717312;

Pateo Consulting

UK - Mobile: 077 36717312;
Canada - Cell: (519) 635-5308;
email: pateo@pateo.com.
76 York Street,
Kitchener,
Ontario N2G 1T7,
Canada.