References

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Mitsubishi International Corporation

The end-point deliverable “A Conceptual Master Plan and Life Cycle for Entering, Growing and Dominating the Air Cargo Luggage Container Industry” is an excellent report and comprehensive research document that not only met, but in many ways exceeded our expectations. 

Wayne, I was especially impressed with your international experience and cultural insight which was evident throughout and enabled me to easily articulate the report findings to our Defense-Privatization Committee in Tokyo. 

Department of the Army

The approach and methodology you employed created a fast-paced learning environment for us as students and your extensive knowledge of the subject allowed you easy use of multimedia resources to fully establish a good learning atmosphere in the classroom. 

The overall learning experience was very positive. Our easy absorption of the presented material gave us a significantly increased subject knowledge, improved and developed our skills relative to our Commercial Activities (CA) study, and changed several attitudes within our workforce and command structure.

Fannie Mae

Thank you for the excellent work you have done for Fannie Mae with the outplacement and career development services you have provided over the past 3+ years. 

The quality of your service and materials is exemplary! Organizational reengineering transitions are difficult and involved. 

Your objective, direct but still gracious support has helped many of our employees. 

Federal Executive Institute

I have had the pleasure over the past few months to work with Mr. Wayne Davis in his capacity as a consultant and facilitator for our corporation’s Strategic Planning process and initiatives. 

He brings an extensive set of experiences in practical business matters, exhibits a high degree of business acumen, and is well versed in the strategic planning process. 

As a Government entity attempting to build a more business-like approach to strategic management, I have found his counsel, advice, and approach to information sharing very valuable and appropriate.

U.S. Department of Transportation, United States Coast Guard

“Outstanding! In 23 years this was probably the most professional and informative training I have ever attended.”

“Extremely well put together session. The highly energetic instructor who actively drew on attendee participation.”

“Darlene Davis is a very knowledgeable professional. She required us to think and look both inward and outward about the future.”

“I am leaving here with 500% more knowledge …”

Icon Associates

Being a part of your Executive Leadership course was a rewarding as well as a significant growing experience for us. We were all impressed with the manner in which you were able to take complex and far-reaching subjects and conceptualize them in a way that was not only relevant to the real issues but understood quickly by those of us new to the process. 

Some say that for the 21st century, what one knows is not as important as how fast one learns the news. Should that be the case, and we think it is, The Ryan Group’s strategic planning dynamic appears to be the new standard for all to embrace.

Mobil Oil Corporation

Darlene has extensive knowledge in organizational career development and is an experienced facilitator with demonstrated success in developing and conducting career development programs, workshops, and individual counseling with senior leaders, as well as with highly technical populations with advanced degrees. 

She is a dynamic presenter capable of imparting knowledge by utilizing a variety of learning methodologies as well as establishing a learning climate based on adult learning principles. 

United States Navy

I have had the pleasure of both working with and observing Mr. Davis as he has provided training to senior government managers in the art and practice of strategic planning. 

His thoughtful and engaging style of instruction and interaction is extremely effective and is powerfully motivating particularly for the adult learner.

Essilor Laboratories America

The engagement was in support of a strategy of moving from a decentralized to a centralized organization during high activities of acquisitions and mergers.

U.S. Navy

The strategic planning process-action framework included:

Business Audit

Environmental Assessment

Planning Assumptions

Strategic Goals and Objectives

Control and Review Procedures

Performance Metrics

which became the basis for a conceptual master plan for developing a strategic roadmap for assumptions and scenario planning, testing planning readiness, and for executing a comprehensive implementation plan.

C&D Technologies, Inc.

The engagement involved the senior management team, the business unit leaders, and the functional department heads. 

At the senior management level the focus was on the business's future; What does it look like? Where do we fit? How do we get there? How do we win?

At the business unit level the focus was on growth and profitability; Our business strategy. Our plans for business growth. Our action steps to move the business forward and sustain success.

At the functional department level the focus was on delivering effective business services; How are we doing in terms of value, cost, and performance? How can we do better?

Curtin Matheson Scientific, Inc.

The approach encompassed a realignment to a rapidly changing healthcare business delivery model and a refocus from one as a technical solutions provider to one of standardization and utilization in supplying and servicing the entire continuum of the care process. 

This context became the basis from which to develop a new vision and strategy to move the company forward.

Texas Instruments

The approach was to develop three (3) alternative futures

The future will be an extension of the past

The future will be markedly different 

The future will be white space

which were distilled into a viable and executable strategic option for competing in the future.

Dun and Bradstreet Information Services Past Performance Evaluation Report for General Services Administration

The Ryan Group, Inc.

In conjunction with a long-term, complex and far-reaching project, the GSA engaged Dun and Bradstreet to conduct an independent evaluation of our past performance. As you can see, we were rated number one in all categories, a score which indicates we consistently exceed expectations for our clients.

The process included providing a list of at least twenty past (20) clients within the competencies of the proposed engagement. D&B interviewed past clients and reported the results:

Dun and Bradstreet Information Services

Past Performance Evaluation Report

Performance Summary

The Ryan Group, Inc.

Category                                                        The Ryan Group’s Aggregated Score

Overall Rating                                                         1 - Exceeds Performance

Timeliness-Delivery or Performance                       1 - Exceeds Performance

Problem Responsiveness                                       1 - Exceeds Performance

Quality of Purchased Product/Service                    1 - Exceeds Performance

Total Cost                                                                1 - Exceeds Performance

Technical Support                                                    1 - Exceeds Performance

The attitude of Supplier Personnel                          1 - Exceeds Performance

Participants Attending a Change Simulation Workshop

Chuck. A very systemic approach. The process and materials are outstanding. The combination of business focus and behavioral approach is remarkable. 

Steve. The process is very clever, robust, and well-thought. Overall I enjoyed the team setting and the simulation process. Great!

Katie. I'm excited! The tools, assessments, everything. 

Karen. The training provided the tools, knowledge, and processes I need to implement change in my department and my company. 

Heather. I really liked the visual (1) and the polygon (10) exercises, but all the pieces and parts will work well for the clients and students we serve. 

Lura. I learned a lot. I liked the approach, especially the tools, the game board, and the knowledge I gained from mine and other group members. 

Tom. I came out of this workshop with the knowledge to better work with change. The materials, process, etc. are organized in a way that an organization can deal effectively with change. I am excited. I also learned from the other participants.

Ken. I learned that assumptions are the most important element of almost any process. I liked the idea that the materials get everyone on the same page. It was time well spent and the knowledge gained applies to numerous situations. 

Robert. I liked the structure. The materials and the process are well thought out. My test for satisfaction is “Would you spend the money again?” “In a heartbeat” “It was great.”

Allan. I liked the tools because they allow you to use them in numerous other applications beyond change.

Faye. The tools are great. I will begin to introduce them to my situation Monday morning. I liked the simulation. I did get frustrated at some stages, but in retrospect, I'm glad it was frustrating because working them through was rewarding. 

Rick. Wayne, thanks for everything last week. I really enjoyed it and am very impressed.

Note

Client abstract responses are direct quotes from unsolicited letters received.