People seek out an organizational ombuds in their setting for a wide variety of reasons. Some are simply seeking information on resources. Others want to explore their options in a safe, confidential setting without triggering unplanned consequences. Some seek ombuds help on very sensitive issues that require great listening and support skills. And some may…
As we all can appreciate, 2020 was a different year! While the year’s events and circumstances posed many challenges, looking back the year inspired agility and adaptation for us. Here are some of the things that led to positive changes for us in 2020 and that continue to shape our future directions for 2021. While the pandemic forced all of us into smaller profession…
It is a pleasure to announce that our team at Business Excellence Solutions – BES – has gained remarkable new talent from two energetic and highly experienced ombuds and conflict resolution experts! We are excited to welcome our newest team mates! Anamaris Price Cousins comes to the team with 14 years’ experience as Ombudsman and Manager working at…
Today’s world creates challenges for fulfilling the basic human need forconnection. As one response to these challenging and unpredictable times, we have spontaneously formed a collaboration to develop ideas for coping with the current pandemic and the personal and professional disruption that it has caused. As a part of this initiative, we have developed a…
In these strange and challenging times, many mediation and ombudsman programs are having to make the switch to working virtually with visitors using a variety of web-based and telephone-based meeting approaches. While much of my mediation and ombuds work has been based out of “brick and mortar” programs, since 2011, much of my work has also…
2019 was an active year for the team at BES. We continued our work with existing, excellent clients, such as the International Foundation for Online Responsibility and provided consulting support and ombuds services to several new, large clients, including a major west coast city college, a large, statewide, public university system, and program reviews for several…
This post’s topic is the idea of dualities and understanding how we tend to frame our thinking based on our collective experience and our own personal enculturation. I recently prepared a talk for an upcoming presentation to a group of graduate business students at a large university on the power of framing and setting the frame…
Catching Up!! For many years, we posted articles and updates on a reasonably regular basis. In 2014, I accepted a challenging project to implement a major new ombudsman program for a large, public university. This involved nearly two years of effort to design, implement the program, work to see that the program was integrated into…
I am delighted to announce that Ramey Miller has joined our team as a new collaborator! Through its existence, Business Excellence Solutions has delivered services through a dynamic, adaptive business model that maximizes flexibility and organizational agility and enables its collaborators maximum latitude to collaborate through our informal consortium while also pursuing individual professional interests…
I am delighted to welcome Deborah Davis to the Business Excellence Solutions Team as a Senior Consultant! Deborah comes to the Bizexteam with extensive and wide-ranging experience in the area of professional standards administration for residential and commercial REALTOR® Associations. In addition to her experience working with professional standards, Deborah’s diverse career includes: Conflict resolution…