Change  Consulting & Mediation Services


a New York City firm
Contact: Dr. Dorri Jacobs, Director, at 212-222-4606 or by e-mail: Dorrija@aol.com

Maintain a competitive edge.
Your firm's productivity, profits and growth depend upon the continued high performance of all employees and their ability to handle change.
Different strategies and new skills are clearly needed.

Ignoring the human factor in business will
lower employee morale, performance and productivity.

Today's fast-paced business environment poses daily changes. Cutbacks, mergers, restructuring, reorganization, relocation, new technology, evolving economic, political and social trends and a very diverse workforce push your firm to redefine direction and policies.

New demands, shifting chains of command, inadequate preparation, unclear responsibilities and too-constant change prevent otherwise competent individuals from completing their work satisfactorily.

That's why it's imperative that you clarify, communicate, and implement your corporate vision so that it's clearly understood and more widely accepted.

Be smart.
Prepare people for change.

When managers and employees are adequately prepared for an impending change, they'll be able to handle it. When people feel valued by the organization in which they work, they'll resume their normal duties more quickly and with considerable less pain.

POSSIBLE INTERVENTIONS

 · Interviews

 · Surveys

 · Unit or department meetings

 · Discussion about downsizing

· Division meetings

 · Work flow and staffing analysis

 · Focus groups

 · Structured coaching sessions

 · Skip-level meetings

 · Operational planning sessions

 · Strategic planning teams

 · Task forces

 · Mediation, conflict management and resolution

 · One-on-one sessions

 · Small group sessions

 · Instructional resources

 · Management skills training

 · Written materials

 · Training seminars

 · Train-the-trainer programs

 · Talks and presentations

 · Special projects

 · Evaluation sessions

Client comments on training and consulting:

"We came asking for a tool-box for managing change andwanted easy, quick-fix techniques.  We learned
that the answers are in us."  Kevin Laforet.  "The brain-storming technique was excellent."  Jim Eng.
Hiram Walker & Sons, Inc.

"A very good class. ..It provided new insight. I learned to associate the human aspect with business, that I have the power to make changes happen, what basis steps I need to work on in accepting changes and how to deal with a sudden change without stress.  It gave me a more structured way to approach change."
Siecor Corporation

"I'm glad I contracted with you. Excellent work! Feedback from the personnel department has been
extremely positive. You showed an artful touch with just the right amount of scientific methodology."
Emile Roberts, Goldwater Memorial Hospital

OUR FOCUS

Change Consulting and Mediation Services provides highly personalized, practical interventions that increase performance, communication and effectiveness in the midst of change.

 · Results-oriented  We'll work together to find positive solutions for a wide-range of human
   resource problems.  You'll develop strategies to manage the impact of organizational
   change, boost employee morale, handle downsizing survivors, reduce stress, manage a
   diverse work force, empower, motivate and appraise employees, build better teams,
   achieve desired results, enhance skills, manage time or accept new technology.

 · Customized, flexible. Your budget, aims and available time dictate the scope of our
   involvement.  Projects can be targeted for an entire department, a functional unit or
   one individual.

 · As an introductory option, consider a private consultation. Use this session to discuss
   a work situation, brainstorm ideas, plan strategies or obtain professional feedback. You'll
   find the fee reasonable, the session rewarding and this a very good investment.

Clients report:

"You did an outstanding job!" Lord & Taylor  seminar participant

"I consider this course the most important one I've taken. You have wonderful ways of stimulating and motivating people to realistically set up goals."  Fred Kurich

"I now have the tools to work with."   J. Fisher

"You helped me to get a clearer and more realistic focus."   S. Currie

"Thank you for the truly inspiring presentation."  M. B. Murrain, AT&T

"You consistently received high praise from our employees who have clearly benefited from your expertise."
Elly Colligan, The Equitable.

Do you wish to see additional client comments?

Dr. Dorri Jacobs

Dorri Jacobs has directed Change Consulting & Mediation Services since 1977. She has extensive experience consulting on human resource issues. A mediator and arbitrator for the National Association of Security Dealers and a mediator for IMCR Dispute Resolution Center, she facilitates the resolution of community, business and domestic disputes. A trainer, personal coach and discussion leader, she's expert at overcoming resistance and quickly building rapport and trust. People on all levels--senior executives, managers, technical professionals, trainers and support staff--are very comfortable working with her.

She's the founder of ENDespair (a charitable project of the Institute of Noetic Sciences) to foster discussion about downsizing, increase social responsibility and help people find new work options. Dorri received grants ($4K in 1997, $10K in 1998) from The Lifebridge Foundation for The ENDespair Project to address work stress.   

Her Ed.D. was from Teachers College, Columbia University, her B.A. and M.A. from Brooklyn College, C.U.N.Y. She taught at Empire State College/SUNY School of Labor Relations, The New School, Fairleigh Dickinson University, The University of Bridgeport, New York University, Queensborough Community College, The Open Center and the YWCA Women's Center. Among her previous clients: Financial Directions, Inc., The US Army, Siecor Corporation, Hiram Walker & Sons, IBM Federal Credit Union, The Equitable, Republic National Bank, Community Development Agency, AT & T, NY Society for Human Resource Management, American Management Association, Lucky Goldstar Group, Sunkyong, U.S.A., Goldwater Memorial Hospital.

Dorri is a business writer and internationally published journalist. She's the author of Change: How to Live With, Manage, Create and Enjoy It, Priorities, and Your Personal Program for Managing Change  audio tapes.  Her work has often been featured by the media. A Jakarta training firm created an Indonesian edition of her work and using her training techniques in their programs. NY Metro Society for Professionals in Dispute Resolution Secretary (19967-8), she's professionally active and a popular speaker. Dorri is often involved in creative endeavors: as an exhibiting photographer, author and newsletter publisher. As a lyricist, she collaborates with musicians.

CUSTOMIZED SEMINARS:

• Job Loss Survival Skills
• How to Find Meaning and Feel Valued At Work
• A Dialogue About Downsizing
• Mediation as a Means of Resolving Conflict
• How to Humanely Downsize, Restructure, or Manage A Merger
• Managing Change More Effectively
• Managing Change: Enhancing or Creating A Course....A Train-the-Trainer Program
• Managing Change: The Basic Business Seminar....A Certification Program for Trainers
• The Change Process: A Program for Counseling Professionals
• Introducing New Technology: Profits or Problems?
• From Stress to Action: A Results-Oriented Program for Executives
• Changing Your Focus: A Take-Charge Stress Program
• Less Stress: A Results-0riented Program for Health Care Professionals
• Team-Building
• Achieving Results
• Reorganization: Easing The Transition
• Minimizing the Stress of Relocation
• Motivating, Improving and Evaluating Performance
• Creative Time Management
• Retirement: Managing The Change
• Dinosaurs Can Soar: Sharing Our Images of Aging
  

MEDIATION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION

• Two-party, multi-party, single issue and multi-issue disputes
• Customized training
  

Additional client comments:

From participants in "Introduction to Conflict Resolution", July, 1997

"I learned to focus on the problem, not the people, to work on a conflict out calmly and reasonably. I've learned that you can argue and maintain the relationship at the same time." A. Sanwald

"Kept my interest. We were involved in the subject matter and it helped to see the possibilities." H. Soltys

"Good in-depth course. I enjoyed the exercises. They gave me a `hands-on' feel of conflict resolution techniques. The various methods of resolving disputes were very informative." M. Cunigan

"I've already started to apply some of the techniques I've gleaned. For example, I'm really listening more rather than formulating my next thought or rebuttal. Participation has been surprisingly great, which says a lot as to the success of this course."

"I can better handle my disputes with others. I believe I can help two people settle their disputes." E. Sullivan

"I learned how to listen to others without getting upset."

"I've learned to think before I speak." K. Graff

"I learned to be more understanding and to listen more. I've learned to communicate and to get my point across more clearly. I'm more a well-rounded person." C. Aragano

"I've learned to relax, to keep an open mind to hear others, to listen, to interact with others in a more civil manner." F. Blankowitz

"I've learned to maintain a cool, calm perspective when negotiating, always to listen to the other side before jumping to attack. I've also gained confidence expressing myself."  D. Jorgensen

" I learned it's okay to drop my guard, to be patient, how to salvage a relationship, to take risks, to be a good listener and to set the tone during a conflict."

"I always tried to avoid conflict. I didn't trust my intuition and over analyzed everything. I learned how to be open-minded and to listen. I gained confidence to speak from my gut." A. Mosca

From other programs:

"You did an outstanding job!"  Lord & Taylor  seminar participant

"The evaluations gave your session very high ratings." Doris Syme, coordinator of conference for the Healthcare Financial Management Association of S. California

"I enjoyed the role-playing. This seminar was a good reinforcement. It certainly provoked thought." participant in seminar on managing change, IBM Federal Credit Union

"Before the course, I was frustrated by what I perceived as a lack of motivation on the part of my clients. I did not find pat answers, but instead began to understand that there are no pat answers and especially to appreciate differences in backgrounds and value systems." N. Russell.  "Helped me...in my role in my job." L. Harbour. "Gave me a different insight personally and professionally.  I learned how to become involved with my clients, not let it affect me personally, deal with and accept changes." C. Richardson. "Very helpful...The topics were thoughtful. The materials were very useful." D. Ruth. Community Development Agency

"Thank you for helping me. What a great eye-opener it's been for me!" J. Sokolow

"The class has been very valuable for me. I reinforced some of my ideas and gave me new ones. I appreciate your creating this positive, non-threatening space for us." Andre Bemard

"The vision exercise was great. Defining priorities and goals was helpful."  " The format was good--it forced individuals to think."  "The seminar was excellent. It made me think about the effects of change on me and on my subordinates."  "It helped me to know myself and to better understand my co-workers' and supervisor's feelings. I expect to help my directs to better manage the many changes that have occurred and will occur."  "It showed me that all of our executives are struggling with change. It is okay to have negative feelings. I possess the answers to complex change questions. And I felt encouraged to share my dreams." "Better able to help my reports cope." "It helped to build our team and to get some consensus direction. I found it very interesting how you turned people inward, focusing on themselves."  "It allowed confidence building through shared experience."  Hiram Walker & Sons, Inc.

Change Consulting & Mediation Services


Contact: Dr. Dorri Jacobs, Director
at 212-222-4606 or by e-mail at Dorrija@aol.com

For these special services, you may link to related sites:

• Dialogues About Downsizing
• How to Find Meaning & Feel Valued at Work
• Job Loss Survival Skills  
• Mediation, Conflict Management and Dispute Resolution
• Writing and Editing

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