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What people are saying about Mike, Sherpa Alliance and the In the Driving Seat® Concept-Suite, Model-Set and Tool-box:
Resource Center
“Easy for All Parties to Understand”"Mike Richardson has tapped into his real world experiences as a CEO to create tools that are intuitive - that promote healthy discussion but lead to a conclusion. Best of all, it creates a brief document that is easy for all parties to understand. It is a real pleasure to work with him." “A Meaningful, One Page Strategic Plan”“When Mike Richardson told me he could create a meaningful, one page Strategic Plan in a day, I was quite skeptical. Now I am a believer and a strong advocate for the work he does. Mike is resourceful, knowledgeable, and talented and demonstrates professionalism and integrity in all of our dealings. We look forward to working with him again. As a retired CEO and founder of five successful businesses, I can recognize talent and Mike has it.” Facilitation
“The First Time I Have Been Excited by the Outcome”“I have been through a number of major strategic planning processes in my different entrepreneurial ventures - this is the first time that I have been excited by the outcome. Mike Richardson has provided us with the tools we need to undertake the journey with our business and has helped us get off to a great start. When we were looking for a strategic process partner, we chose Mike because of his real world experience as a CEO and because of Sherpa Alliance's approach, tools and techniques. We weren't disappointed! Mike exceeded our expectations and I can strongly recommend Mike and Sherpa Alliance to other entrepreneurs and business leaders.”
"This is the best I have seen""I have been through a lot of strategic planning processes in my career and this is the best I have seen. It is complete, straight-forward and as simple or as sophisticated as you want to make it." Hank Nordhoff, Chairman & CEO, Gen-Probe Incorporated (NASDAQ: GPRO). Union Tribune Article: Diagnosis good for Gen-Probe
“Our Focus has Sharpened on a Clearer Path”"Running a small-to-medium sized, fast moving engineering business, I have to be very confident that the limited time we can invest in a strategy process is going to make a real difference to our journey. Therefore, I knew that we needed to work with someone who intuitively understands the challenges of running our type of business. I found that, and more, in Mike Richardson of Sherpa Alliance. His insight, process and tools are helping us conquer the paradoxical balance between strategy & operations, short term & long term and leadership & management - a balance which can be so elusive with the resource constraints and demands of a small, engineering intensive business such as ours. Our focus has sharpened on a clearer path and we are increasingly able to sustain a strategy process as a key contributor to our success."
Speaking
“A Higher Standard of Thinking, Doing and Being”"Mike is an articulate, dynamic and knowledgeable speaker, who’s message is right on point with the real-world strategy, execution and traction challenges we face as CEOs and Executives. His content and delivery are unconventional, reinforcing the paradigm shift he urges. He will hold you to a higher standard of thinking, doing and being, when it comes to the “strategic accounting” of your business and life." Moderating
"A Natural Approach to Keeping Things Flowing and On Track""We have been doing moderated panels for many years and the feedback from many of the attendees was that the panel Mike Richardson moderated was the best yet, in very large part to Mike’s combination of skills and style. Indeed, one of our CEO panelists said it was one of the best panels he had ever been on. Mike is an insightful, dynamic and energizing moderator, with a natural approach to keeping things flowing and on track. By keeping the audience and panelists engaged in an active dialogue he maximizes value all round." Mentoring & Coaching
"Creating Traction in Seemingly Intractable Situations""Mike Richardson has been an invaluable mentor and coach, helping me work through the complexities of the profit and growth journey of my business. His lines of thinking and questioning help me uncover breakthrough solutions to perennial problems, creating traction in seemingly intractable situations." Board Member
“Stretching Us to Think and Act Differently”"As a significant family owned and run business, we feel very fortunate to have Mike Richardson on our Board. We like the way he thinks, in turn stretching us to think and act differently. When we decided to bring some external directors on our Board to help us professionalize our business to the next level, Mike was a great choice. In particular, he has helped us become more strategy and execution oriented, mobilizing our company in creating better focus towards our goals." Vistage
“A Much More effective CEO”"My experience of Vistage has been extremely positive and valuable. I have a CPA background and have had success running my own companies. However, I have been humbled by what I didn't know and have benefited from the exposure to diverse leadership and business issues. I have also been fortunate to have Mike Richardson as my chair. He is highly organized, smart, hard working and is committed to giving 110%. Mike and my group hold me accountable and I believe I am a much more effective CEO as a result of being a Vistage member."
“Bring my real-time challenges I am facing”"Vistage has really helped me connect with other like-minded business people. I am able to bring my real-time challenges I am facing with my company today and process them with an awesome group of strong business leaders. I often get responses which I would have never have thought of - it really is a mastermind group. Mike Richardson has a unique approach and I value the way he leverages concepts, models and tools - he does an excellent job keeping the core things in front of us, which we all need to focus on and illustrates these in very visual way. He does an great job keeping the group on track and each meeting provides value for the weeks to come. Overall my experience has been awesome and I look forward to each meeting."
"Untangling Complicated Situations""Vistage has helped me immensely, Over and above the value I get from my group, as my Chair, Mike has become the “little voice” inside, reminding me to “show up as a leader” in my day-to-day dealings with people and situations at work and at home. I find myself better able to be untangling complicated situations, navigating complex circumstances and a better executive."
"A Grip on the Multi-Faceted Challenges of My Business""Vistage has really helped me become more strategic. In particular, Mike's approach has helped me get a grip on the multi-faceted challenges of my business. So I am more able to achieve my goals." |
Execution Excellence: Missing-in-Action
Mike's Own Journey
See Mike giving one of his keynote speeches,