We pay attention to key conversations. The way we talk to each other matters. A conversation is a small unit that can be managed. We create meaningful conversations.

In the midst of change, you juggle three systems: the current one, the new one, and the transition. Most of the time, the reason for change is that you’re stuck in a system that isn’t working. We help you choose which changes to make and how to deploy your limited resources during both the transition and the new system.

We encourage workers and volunteers at every level to own their work and their customers. We believe workers thrive when they do good work and serve customers. Too often, systems stand in the way of good work and serving customers. We harness the power of people.

We support you in applying research. Science, social science, and big business produce excellent research. This research is difficult to read and adapt to your individual situations. We make research accessible.

We provide powerful tools from process improvement and project management. There are lots of ways to see work. Choosing the appropriate ones allows us to access proven tools. We bring tools to people in ways that make them useful.

We target improvements that ripple through your entire organization, multiplying and aligning effects. Organizations can be seen as complex systems. When we touch one piece of a system, we touched them all. We help you choose the best places to touch in order to maximize positive results.

We use a conversation format that is simple, easy, and effective. Our process brings participants together in small, intimate groups. Value is exchanged when diverse people share ideas, feelings, and experiences in a spirit of respect, trust, curiosity, and caring.

In our presentations, we make key points and leave plenty of time for questions and interaction.

Our basic theme is building and sustaining capacity to do good work.

And we tend to make these key points:

· Your people are your organization. That means organizations serve people.

· Never underestimate the power of humans. After all, you are one.

· Treat all people the way we treat those we consider most important. We set and communicate clear expectations, and we provide support.

· What is sustainable? A sustainable organization cares for and feeds itself, and it lives within its means.

· What is capacity? Capacity means sufficient resources for the task at hand.

We work directly with your team in action – focussing on the work that needs doing this morning as we develop ideas and processes that support work this afternoon. We develop both leadership and structure as your staff and volunteers practice sustainability and capacity-building when and where you need it today.