Consulting

External Wisdom, Internal Growth

Building a healthy organization is not always intuitive, especially for folks who have come up through operations. Since its formation in 1991, ALG has been tapped for our unbiased and fresh perspective on the complex dynamics that enable firms to succeed. Our consulting services are aimed at supporting executive leaders to lead ‘living companies’, ones that are guided by values, containing a strong internal leadership pipeline. ALG consults on diverse and interrelated areas of organizational growth including development of firmwide learning program frameworks, executive team alignment, succession planning, and culture change.

Our Consulting Approach

Consulting often happens remotely, one-on-one with key leaders considering change processes, or strategic decisions. We always start with an initial call to explore the terrain, ask questions and identify the root issue at hand. A custom consulting engagement can include a research phase with interviews and survey instruments as well as consulting/coaching calls with key players. Through regular interactions, we offer our confidential assessment of the situation, discreet guidance and subject matter expertise to move through the inevitable cauldron of change.

Case Study – Leadership Development Programming Design

Client: Midsize Firm, 700 employees, aggressive growth strategy

Challenge: Ad hoc training approach lacking a consistent internal leadership development framework.

Approach

  1. Consulting: Multi-year collaboration with Talent Leader and executive team including regular consulting calls and in-person meetings.
  2. Needs Assessment: Identified learning and development needs at different levels within the organization and determine priorities based on current context.
  3. Design Framework: Design a firmwide learning program framework with specific training formats (in-person, remote, hybrid) and the timeline for build out and launch of each program.
  4. Develop Programs: Develop curriculum for desired audiences including all-staff, emerging leaders, new supervisors and executive suite with formats ranging from in-person, remote to hybrid.

Results

Now in its third year, the firm has run leadership programs for each of the target cohorts – up-and-coming, mid-level, and senior team leaders – and correlated enhanced engagement, retention, and growth with these efforts.

Case Study – Executive Sounding Board

Client : 1000 person consulting design firm

Challenge: Faced with a rising tide of change including pressure of Private Equity, internal growth and other leadership demands, the CEO was needing an unbiased external perspective to think through next steps of an ever-changing internal and external business environment.

Approach: 1 year engagement of monthly remote one-on-one consulting calls. Topics of conversation ranged from:

  1. How to maintain operational focus on strategic planning priorities
  2. Effective approaches to manage the departure of key up-and-coming leaders
  3. Sustaining commitment to DEI efforts,
  4. Adjusting organizational structure to relieve pressure from restless senior leaders

Results: According to the CEO, ALG’s consulting support has been ‘invaluable, providing trusted, confidential expertise in truly adaptive challenges’. This annual engagement has been renewed twice now and remains ongoing due to its success in helping executive leadership with the space to speak what’s on their mind and receive advice that is immediately applicable.

Geordie and Magda partnered with us to design a customized leadership development framework, suited to our unique culture and growth goals. Their approach targeted various cohorts across the firm, providing tailored training at each level. The collaboration truly exemplified the value of partnership in delivering meaningful, lasting impact.

Amy Day Keller
VP, Talent Management & Communications
PSOMAS

I personally rely on Geordie as a sounding board and coach in my corporate role and to hold me accountable for continual improvement. We look forward to growing with the Aitken Leadership group as a partner well into the future.

Frank Ricciardi, PE, LSP
CEO
Weston & Sampson