The Jackie Sherman Group, Inc.

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Client Success Stories

Effective Product Development Process Speeds Up Commercialization

By Jackie Sherman

In a company dependent on developing new products, it’s difficult to commercialize products quickly when the technical and commercial groups are at odds with each other. The problem may seem like it’s due to poor interpersonal communication, but often the more significant issue is an ineffective product development process.

pdp

We were engaged by the CEO of a start-up green chemicals company to resolve an impasse between her commercial and technical groups. Conflict between these functions is quite common. The commercial group needed samples quickly so that customers could test the products and start purchasing. The technical group was committed to follow a disciplined process to understand requirements and make sure that samples were developed to the correct specifications. The commercial folks were driven to generate revenue, and the technical folks were driven to develop quality products while preserving resources in a highly constrained environment. The two groups were pointing fingers at each other.

Sitting down with the VPs for both groups, we discovered that they each had different ideas about what was important  [Read more…]

Team Start-up Process Improves Teams and Increases HR Capabilities

By Jackie Sherman

Our client, an early stage, fast growing clean tech company was launching new teams at a fast clip. We collaborated with the CHRO to develop and implement a Team Start-up process that included meeting designs and a toolkit. The process was tested and the internal HR managers were developed to keep it going.  The results included improved team meeting effectiveness and milestone tracking and delivery. HR leaders improved their ability to identify the root causes of team challenges so appropriate action could be taken.  Increased HR capabilities significantly reduced the need for external resources for team development.

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Newly Formed Strategy Unit Creates Synergies and Builds Early Success

By Jackie Sherman

innovene_logo

The SVP of a newly formed strategy unit of a $26 billion corporate spin-off that included the strategy, technology, marketing, and licensing functions, needed to add value and create synergies quickly. 90% of the unit’s members had not chosen to work there. The employees were confused about why the unit included all four teams, and were skeptical about this strategic unit’s potential for impact, since there was no defined need from or credibility with the four operating companies for whom this unit was to provide services. To make matters more difficult, the unit was geographically split between the US and Europe. We consulted with the SVP to simultaneously build the leadership team, the individual teams, and the entire unit.

We began by working with the SVP to develop his LT by first focusing on unifying the four team leaders to create synergies by leveraging each other’s expertise. We also worked individually with each team leader to build his/her team.

Within the first month of organizational startup, we worked with the leadership team to design a meeting that would engage all 55 members of the organization to understand the purpose of the organization. The team needed to create a clear vision for success, set cultural expectations, and identify and design the processes needed to run the organization effectively.
[Read more…]

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120 Year Old Synagogue Revitalizes Through Strategic Planning

By Jackie Sherman

synogague

One of Atlanta’s largest and oldest synagogues had experienced five years of declining membership, decreasing participation in services and other activities, and related financial difficulties. Although a strategic plan had been developed in the past, it was never implemented.  This planning process was different, the plan has been implemented, and the synagogue has revitalized.

Working with its leaders we developed and implemented a synagogue strategic planning approach that involved the entire congregation.  All members were invited to communicate their needs and engage in developing innovative approaches to revitalization. The participants were so enthusiastic that positive changes began even before the plan was officially adopted. After the first year of implementation, membership increased, programming expanded, and the religious school was revitalized.  Participation significantly increased across all areas of synagogue life, finances improved, and there was broader participation in governance. This planning process and the resulting plan won the Conservative movement’s Solomon Schechter award in 2009.

Eight years after completing its planning process this synagogue continues to thrive.

Synagogue Strategic Planning Award

Mind the Body – Innovative Conference on Developing a Mental Health Agenda for the CDC

By Jackie Sherman

Mind the Body logo

Our client wanted to engage a diverse group of researchers, health promoters, and other health scientists to integrate mental health into the CDC agenda. His original plan was to hold a traditional conference with multiple days of scientific presentations. Once we understood that his goal was to have an action plan by the end of the conference, we suggested a very different approach, called “Open Space Technology”, which they ultimately adopted. Rather than session after session of presentations on pre-selected topics, the design focused on the theme of “exploring how the work of the CDC relates to mental health and mental illness”.

This highly interactive conference allowed attendees to share their knowledge, explore new ideas, and consider issues based on their passion related to mental health as a public health issue. The conference began by asking participants to identify topics for which they “have passion” and wanted to convene a session. We crafted an agenda of breakout sessions that allowed them to engage deeply on all of them. The convener of each session took the responsibility to document their session. Throughout the first two days, conference check-ins and feedback allowed the group to adjust the agenda based on what they were learning.

On the morning of the third day each participant received a bound report on all the sessions. Participants reviewed the information, agreed on six priority areas, and developed short and longer term actions for each of them. Leaders volunteered to take responsibility for implementing the plans. Within a week of closing the conference participants had already begun many of the short term actions. Within nine months detailed plans had been developed for most of the longer term items. Within three years the plans that were developed at this conference were achieved. The combination of passion and responsibility at the heart of the open space conference design supported these results.

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Jackie Sherman

The Jackie Sherman Group is just one part of the equation. We only succeed in partnership with a committed client. Are you ready for success?
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Read About:

  • ▼Client Success Stories
    • ►Organization Effectiveness Consulting
    • ►Nonprofit Consulting
    • ►Meeting Design & Facilitation
    • ►Executive Coaching
    • 120 Year Old Synagogue Revitalizes Through Strategic Planning
    • A Prestigious University Library Breaks Through a Longstanding Stalemate
    • ACFB Vision Becomes $11 Million of Brick and Mortar
    • Brain Injury Service Nonprofit Shifts Mid-term Goals Based on Strategic Planning
    • Customer Satisfaction Survey Results Drive System-Wide Improvements
    • Effective Product Development Process Speeds Up Commercialization
    • Jackie's Coaching Experience
    • Making It Happen – 3-day Meeting to Accelerate Implementation of a New Organization Design
    • Mind the Body - Innovative Conference on Developing a Mental Health Agenda for the CDC
    • Motivated and Mobilized in 300 days
    • Newly Formed Strategy Unit Creates Synergies and Builds Early Success
    • Profitability Increase Achieved Through Improved Business Planning Process
    • Recently Appointed SVP Ignites The Leadership of Her New Division
    • Strategic Plan Drives Program Integration, New Partnerships and New Funding
    • Strategic Plan with Stretch Goals Becomes Blueprint for Running JELF
    • Superior Financial Results Come from Culture Change and Business Process Improvement
    • Team Start-up Process Improves Teams and Increases HR Capabilities
  • ►Blog

What Our Clients Say:

Donna Willis

There's something different about the way you're able to relate. It feels more genuine than simply that you're doing a job; while always being exceedingly professional.

Donna Willis
Former Board Chair / Actor's Express

Bruce Carmichael

For 2 1/2 years Jackie provided consulting support to our diversity leadership group and facilitated numerous large and small group interventions thorough our business unit. She is very talented and brings to the table an extensive experience base coupled with a level of insight not found in many consultants. I recommend her highly.

Bruce Carmichael
Human Resources Manager (retired) / BP Corporation

Micah Porter

Coaching with Jackie has helped me in taking a softer, more personal approach to working with clients. She has an ability to listen very closely, not just to the verbal, but also the nonverbal. She knows when to dig deeper and notices what I didn’t see about myself before. She has also helped me become more systematic and consistent as a small business owner.

Micah Porter, CFA, CFP
President and CEO / Minerva Planning Group

Brian Williams

Jackie got me to slow down, which gave me space to think differently. She especially helped me, in my leadership role, work through getting others to collaborate and think through challenges on their own. Jackie creates a good connection, where I can speak freely and feel listened to – it has been valuable for my personal development.

Brian Williams
VP Development / Select Medical Corporation

Marianne Garber – AA

Jackie led us through a strategic planning process that included input from our multi-generational congregation and leadership team, resulting in a dynamic plan that we put immediately into action. The outcome is that we’ve experienced a new level of growth and vibrancy for our congregation. Jackie is highly skilled at working with groups – she was just the right person for this endeavor.

Marianne Garber, PhD
Ahavath Achim Synagogue

Emily Pelton

Jackie facilitated a strategic planning process for our organization that received very positive feedback from our board and donors. I was impressed by her ability to work through the high-level conceptual challenges. And as a leader, I truly appreciated her willingness to ask the hard questions and challenge me to think things through, which always improves the end product.

Emily Pelton
Executive Director / Refugee Family Services

Lara Dorfman

The strategic planning process Jackie facilitated resulted in a plan and structure that has enabled us to better organize our work, broaden our service area, improve fundraising, and engage volunteers – the plan helps us fulfill our mission. Jackie did a great job of managing all of our opinions and passion in an honest, but delicate way.

Lara Dorfman
Executive Director (former) / Jewish Educational Loan Fund

Jeff Alpern

I’m so pleased that, several years after working with Jackie to complete our strategic plan, we are running the organization using the plan as an actionable template. The plan has become embedded into our culture. Jackie’s approach is smart, practical and very thorough. We trusted her process and got the result we wanted.

Jeff Alperin
Board Member / Jewish Educational Loan Fund

Jennifer Bauer-Lyons

Jackie’s coaching has helped me to lead better in what can be an emotionally charged theatre environment. She helps me get to the core issues, deal with the bigger picture, and formulate an action plan. She is very responsive and resourceful and draws from her deep experience in both the for-profit and non-profit worlds, which gives us new perspectives and insights.

Jennifer Bauer-Lyons
Managing Producer (former) / Horizon Theatre Company

Mary Ellen Davis

Jackie has been a coach and strategic thinking partner for me since 2004. She is a great listener and her broad base of knowledge provides an outside perspective to think through problems in ways I can’t do on my own. Jackie helps me come up with processes, is good at showing me my strengths, and she’s helped me add very useful tools to my toolbox.

MED
Executive Director / National Membership Association

Marian McClellan

You can either win or lose during a transition, so it’s important to pay attention to this critical time. The first transition Jackie coached me through was so successful that I have retained her for every work transition for the last 10 years. She helps me get a clear view of the situation and approach it strategically. Her keen observation skills set her apart from everyone else I’ve worked with.

Marian McClellan

Ralph Clements

Jackie helped me 'see' the right questions to ask.

Ralph Clements
VP of Manufacturing and Technology (former) / BP Fabrics and Fibers and Imperial Sugar

Brad Mortimer

We made dramatic progress in 300 days.  I don’t usually praise consultants in public,   but we couldn’t have done this without Jackie Sherman.

Brad Mortimer
Retired President / Propex Fabrics Company

Patrick Prevost

Please accept my sincere thanks for your excellent organisation. It really made it a successful event!  Your dedication and your support to the design team were essential factors in this success.  You managed to keep us on track with the schedule without constraining the group's creativity.  I was positively surprised with the way we were able to engage such a large group and raise all the critical issues.  And it was quite remarkable to see us achieve consensus around a very good list of action items.  A lot of this, was due to your engagement and experience!

Patrick Prevost
Strategy and Development Manager (former) / BP Chemicals

Emily Deakins

Working with Jackie was truly a developmental experience and a real pleasure.  She was able to “get to know me” very quickly, using probing questions and strong listening skills, and then effectively used that knowledge to ask challenging questions throughout the coaching experience, forcing me to look at things differently and explore different options.  She brings a holistic approach to coaching, helping the client discover the connections between different aspects of work and life, and the interdependencies of mental, physical and emotional states.  It is this unique approach, and the resulting new awareness found, which has made a long lasting difference for me.

VP Global Diversity / Fortune 50 Company

Dianne Smith

I have worked with a variety of consultants over the years and have only highest praise for Jackie’s consulting abilities. She worked with a variety of individual and groups during our project. In each of these relationships she met and exceeded our expectations. We would jump at the chance to re-engage Jackie in the future on any organizational change or organizational development project.

Dianne Smith
Director of Human Resources / Emory University General Libraries

Frances Maloy

You helped us with many important changes. Our organization is a different place now. We have greatly improved our communication and decision-making. The 3 years that we worked together were very rewarding for me and rich with learning. I had very challenging times and I could not have made it through without your support. I believe the library has a better result from our reorganization because of your involvement with us.

Frances Maloy
Division Leader and Redesign Project Manager / Emory University General Libraries

K’Lynne Johnson

Since 1999, I've had the pleasure of working with Jackie in multiple roles and scenarios.  Her expertise in effective organization design, change and leadership is unique both because of her truly global, diverse experience base; and because of her deep theoretical knowledge paired with ongoing practical application.

K'Lynne Johnson
CEO (former) / Elevance Renewable Sciences

Morinee Terry

Jackie meets you where you are, works with you to clarify where you want to go, and helps you get there! She has a gift for creating an environment where you can sense her expertise at work without feeling like the latest 'coaching tool' is being pulled out and used on you. Her commitment to excellence, growth, and success has been instrumental in helping me achieve several professional and personal goals.  

Morinee Terry
Human Resources Manager

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  • Home Page
  • About Jackie Sherman
  • Blog
  • Contact

Read About

  • ►Blog
  • ▼Client Success Stories
    • ►Executive Coaching
    • ►Meeting Design & Facilitation
    • ►Nonprofit Consulting
    • ►Organization Effectiveness Consulting
    • 120 Year Old Synagogue Revitalizes Through Strategic Planning
    • A Prestigious University Library Breaks Through a Longstanding Stalemate
    • ACFB Vision Becomes $11 Million of Brick and Mortar
    • Brain Injury Service Nonprofit Shifts Mid-term Goals Based on Strategic Planning
    • Customer Satisfaction Survey Results Drive System-Wide Improvements
    • Effective Product Development Process Speeds Up Commercialization
    • Jackie's Coaching Experience
    • Making It Happen – 3-day Meeting to Accelerate Implementation of a New Organization Design
    • Mind the Body - Innovative Conference on Developing a Mental Health Agenda for the CDC
    • Motivated and Mobilized in 300 days
    • Newly Formed Strategy Unit Creates Synergies and Builds Early Success
    • Profitability Increase Achieved Through Improved Business Planning Process
    • Recently Appointed SVP Ignites The Leadership of Her New Division
    • Strategic Plan Drives Program Integration, New Partnerships and New Funding
    • Strategic Plan with Stretch Goals Becomes Blueprint for Running JELF
    • Superior Financial Results Come from Culture Change and Business Process Improvement
    • Team Start-up Process Improves Teams and Increases HR Capabilities

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The Jackie Sherman Group
Jackie@jackieshermangroup.com
1608 Bubbling Creek Rd. NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30319
Call: 678-358-4267
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