Consulting

Business first! We specialize in providing quality business management consulting services. Unlike many technology capable consulting organizations that focus only on technology solutions, we distinguish ourselves by also looking at other success factors such as business processes and staff contribution. Our goal is to significantly and measurably improve the aggregate impact of technology infrastructure, associated business process and human contribution on your business goals, initiatives, productivity and profitability.

Dixon & Associates is impartial, and independent of any product manufacturer, value added reseller, system integrator or internet service provider. Our unbiased approach allows us to present technology and business process options without restrictions. We represent your best interests and our services are customized according to your preferences.

Methodology
Initial meeting - general scope of requirements

Our first step is to meet with you to determine the general scope of work required to allow your organization to properly meet its business goals and initiatives. At this stage, it is in our mutual interest to determine if there is a good fit between your general requirements and our services. We take a partnership approach to our relationships with our clients. Together we form the team that will fulfill the mandate that arises from the fully defined scope of work.

Our goal is to significantly and measurably improve the aggregate impact of technology infrastructure, associated business process and human contribution on your business goals, initiatives, productivity and profitability.

Defining the scope of requirements
Business analysis

Appropriate to the general scope of the requirements, we proceed with an analysis of your business or the parts of your business that encompass the area(s) to be improved. Again, depending on the scope, this analysis may take part of a day or it may take several days. Of course, we hold all information related to your business, its operation and its competitive position in the strictest confidence.

From time to time the analysis will require participation from some of your staff. We refrain from imposing on your daily operations as much as possible. We will ask for documentation related to your current technical and business systems and practice, and we will ask relevant questions. To the greatest extent, the analysis deals with fact. It is quantitative and qualitative, rather than anecdotal in nature. The focus is on factors and conditions that are both measurable and key to the performance of your business.

Discovery - "future state"

Another part of fully defining the scope of work is establishing desired "future state" - the state in which the aggregate of technology, business process and human contribution work optimally together to meet the needs of your business.

To complete this definition, it is necessary to first identify key stakeholders within your organization for the pertinent functional areas. A discovery process is followed wherein each of the stakeholders are interviewed to understand their perspectives and any qualified analyses they may have done on measurable and key performance elements in the business functions they represent. During this discovery process we assimilate the motivators, inhibitors and other factors that contribute to inefficiency and resistance to change, from organizational, resource, management and staffing perspectives. p>It is important to invest this time up front. It allows us to learn about your current business practices and often our clients also learn more about their own business during this process. We are laying the ground work for future success.

Preliminary results

When the analysis has been completed, the preliminary results will be presented. The preliminary results will include a high level breakdown of current measurable key business performance elements and a summary of ideal future state(s), as presented by the key stakeholders who participated in the discovery process.

Your feedback is essential to a positive outcome and is very much appreciated at any stage of the process. "Buy-in" should be progressive, just like the analysis process. It is particularly important for the stakeholders to review and validate the preliminary findings because they form the basis for the gap analysis that follows.

Gap analysis … Current State Ö Future State
At this stage, we will have begun to formulate some options that will close the gap between current state and future state. In order to complete a gap analysis, it is necessary to discuss any multiple perceptions of the ideal future state and establish a consensus on the target future state.

Further, it is necessary to achieve agreement on prioritization of the various elements that need to be addressed as dictated by your business goals and initiatives. Definition of target future state and prioritization is best accomplished in a workshop environment with full participation of all key stakeholders.

With a clear target future state and prioritization according to business goals and initiatives, we will complete a gap analysis. This analysis captures gaps and redundancies. At a detailed level, tools like process mapping also allow us to see how processes are linked to business initiatives and where breakdowns occur. Tools and applied process re-engineering methodology result in options and recommendations for technology and business process, custom tailored for your specific organization, including its business environment and its culture.

Fully defined scope of work

By now we have formed a team of stakeholders who have a vested interest in elevating your business to a higher level. The last piece in fully defining the scope of work that will take you to that higher level is to obtain agreement on which options and recommendations should be adopted and implemented. The anticipated results of the adopted options and recommendations form the Scope of Work of an engagement contract.

Let's make it happen!

Where to begin? Or, how can we fit this in? We can help you on both counts.

Depending on the work to be done and resources required, we can provide complete project management services including resourcing. If your organization has availability of staff with appropriate expertise and time to allocate to the project, your team can be strengthened by our participation.

Our project management services and the application of sound project management methodology, based on accepted industry standards, will ensure all stakeholders involved in the project will be satisfied with the end result.

From the initial moment of our partnership with you through to project conclusion, our goal is to ensure your business interests are well served.