Leadership chasm jeopardizes future for local companies

Business consultant spots leadership chasm and offers powerful solutions to fill the gap, train the leaders and improve team environments for companies looking to take advantage of the turning of the economy.

Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) September 20, 2004 -- In todays dynamic business environment, competing and winning is more difficult than ever before," says Dave Neal owner of Neal & Associates Business Consultants. Companies are being challenged to meet higher customer requirements for reliability, quality, speed, cost containment, innovation, value added services and flexibility. These demands place enormous pressure on leaders and their teams," Neal added.

In Neals consulting practice, hes found that over the last three to four years most companies have been forced to cut costs in training, leadership development, succession planning and personnel to survive. This short-term strategy is beginning to show its long-term consequences. As the economy slowly starts to recover, a number of powerful dynamics are converging," stated Neal, According to the National Association of Business Economics, 50% of managers are dissatisfied because of how they were forced to operate during the downturn." These companies now have options and are on the move. Labor statistics demonstrate the trend is for more hiring then firing. Just when companies need their best and brightest, the bench strength is wanting and the neglect is starting to show.

Compounding the situation is most companies have employed cross functional teams as a primary tool to increase organizational productivity. Conceptually, a diverse team that understands the companys expectations, and is directed by skilled leadership will accomplish great things. A team-based system is a significant commitment in time, people, money and resources. Neal states that all too often these teams do not generate an adequate ROI. He paraphrases Patrick Lencioni, a nationally recognized management consultant and author of The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, for all the attention it has received the benefits of teamwork is as elusive as ever in most organizations."

Connecting the dots, Neal points out, We simply do not have enough highly trained leaders leading well-trained team members to ensure adequate productivity and a reasonable ROI. Companies have not spent the time, energy or money to keep their pipeline full. Benign neglect has weakened leaders and their teams. As John C Maxwell, Americas expert on leadership states in his book, Developing The Leaders Around You, grow a leader grow an organization".

Neal believes the message is clear, To compete and win, organizations must develop skilled leaders at all levels. These leaders must be coupled with competent team members who can optimize the power and productivity inherent in the team process."

To assist local companies with this shortfall, Neal & Associates Business Consultants, with offices in both Phoenix and Milwaukee, has spent the last two years developing a unique and new educational experience. The new offering is the result of over 80 years of combined senior level business experience with Procter and Gamble, IBM and Weyerhaeuser on the part of the three principals. The sessions are designed to develop leadership skills and team productivity simultaneously and will be launched locally early in 2005. The target is mid-level managers, executives and key team members who need to maximize their teams productivity.

For more information about Dave Neal and Neal and Associates Business Consultants, please contact Dave Neal at 480-753-0990.