Volume 5, Issue 12 - December, 2006

Time to Reflect and to Project

• 2006 – The Past
2006 has been an interesting year. Early in the year, I was doing research and writing my chapter in the soon to be published “Masterpieces in Health Care Leadership.” My work was focused on the Environmental Services Department at Fairview Hospital (Cleveland Clinic). It was difficult, time consuming and very educational. The approach to management used in the Environmental Services Department can and should be transferred from healthcare to industry to organizations of all types and sizes. Jones & Bartlett is the publisher and you can read more at their website, http://healthadmin.jbpub.com/catalog/0763738808/.

2006 was also the year that I completed all of the requirements to apply for certification with the Institute of Management Consultants. The application process was lengthy and required assembling a tremendous amount of supporting documentation including letters from satisfied clients. I want to thank everyone who supplied letters to IMC in that process. Written tests on ethics and competencies were also a part of the process as well as a verbal interview with three current CMCs (Certified Management Consultants).

One of the interesting aspects of having been awarded the CMC is that it is an internationally recognized designation. This is important because the European Union is establishing ISO standards for consulting based on requirements for the CMC designation. Very shortly it will be even more important for consultants to have the CMC designation. It also means recertification every three years and I am now in the process of working towards that recertification. CMC means that I will be working hard to stay current in my field so that my clients get the best of my experience and the latest thinking in the field.

2006 was also a year of development as a professional speaker. I have just completed the Pro Track program for apprentice speakers with the National Speakers Association, Ohio Chapter. It was an 18 month program that covered all aspects of the speaking business. It also exposed me to Toastmasters which I joined in July of this year. I should finish the Competent Communicator program with Toastmasters before the end of this year. This provides a great opportunity for me to sharpen my presentation skills and experiment with new material and presentation techniques so that my clients get the highest level of connectivity and communication possible.

2006 was also a year of increased focus. Two new websites were created. http://www.marketingnewproduct.com was established for the work I have been doing with inventors and marketers of new products. Also created was http://www.decision-makingtoday.com as a home for my speaking business on decision-making. Of course, http://www.cannonadvantage.com remains the main site for consulting and speaking.
Late in the year, I began working with Mark LeBlanc as my business coach. It has been interesting and very focused work.

2006 is nearing the end and I am feverishly working to complete my own book entitled “Taking Aim for Better Decision-Making.” If all goes well, it should be available sometime early in 2007.

As we come to the end of 2006, I am very thankful for good health, an interesting and challenging business and all of you for helping make this a great year. Thank you to our clients who made this possible. Thank you to our Taking Aim subscribers. Thank you to the “Virtual Team” including Linda, Hub, Mike, Mark and Peg for your support, your wisdom and your friendship.

May the Joys of this Holiday Season Bless You and Yours now and throughout 2007.

• 2007 – The Future
2007 lays ahead of each of us. It will be what we make of it. I have decided to focus on several programs for the new year.

• Decision-Making for enhanced Performance and Profitability can be anything from a one hour presentation to a half day workshop that turns managers into better leaders.
  
• Marketing New Products can be anything from a one hour presentation to a half day workshop that helps to formalize and streamline the process of moving from concept to successful product introduction.
  
• Product Life Cycle Training is a half day program focused on maximizing profitability over the life of a product, product line, brand and or company.
  
• Managing Change for enhanced Performance and Profitability is a one day program that shows leaders how to create buy-in, alignment and ownership of change in organizations so that implementations run smoother, faster and with improved success rates.
  
• Managing for enhanced Performance and Profitability is a series of short programs addressing the top ten management issues in an organization. Each session addresses one issue in an open forum with everyone in a department or work group to gain concensus and common understanding as well as improved performance in that specific area.

I will also continue providing consulting services to clients where my expertise can help improve performance and profitability. Fees for the programs listed above run from $2500 to $5500 depending upon the options you choose. Consulting fees can be project based or based on my day rate of $1750 per day.

I have also been experimenting with a new service. I am going to provide unlimited email access for no more than five clients at a time. Send me all the email questions you want. The fee is $100 per month with no minimums. Phone consultations for these retainer clients will be at the reduced rate of $150 per hour. In person consulting will be reduced by the retainer amount as well.

• Book Now & Save
Throughout the year, I tend to look at the remaining months of the year and the work that is scheduled to be performed. Once the calendar clicks over to January, I am once again looking at a full 12 months and at this time of year the blank spots can be scarry. Book Bob in January for work to be performed any time during 2007 and receive an automatic 10% discount. To hire Bob and save in the process, call (866) 598-8450 toll free before the end of January.

If you have a subject that you would like to see covered in future issues of “Taking Aim,” please send me an email at aim@CannonAdvantage.com.

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Robert E. Cannon
Management Consultant
13985 Aquilla Road
Burton, OH 44021 USA
866.598.8450 phone/v-mail
440.834.1052 facsimile

aim@cannonadvantage.com


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Smart Thoughts from Smart People

Optimism is essential to achievement and it is also the foundation of courage and of true progress.

Nicholas Murray Butler

When you are in deep water, the best thing to do is shut your mouth.

Unknown

What oxygen is to the lungs, such is hope to the meaning of life.

Emil Brunner

Blessed are the young, for they shall inherit the national debt.

Herbert Hoover

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