Building a stronger executive team
Our senior leadership team and I here at Jewish Senior Life have been working with McArdle Ramerman since about 2005.
I became familiar with the kind of work that they do – leadership development, strategic teambuilding and so on – when I worked on the senior team at my previous employer, a hospital-based organization. After I made the transition here, I realized that I was facing an organization in transition that needed a senior leadership team with new skills and deeper interpersonal connections. A review of local business consulting firms made it clear that the McArdle Ramerman center was a great choice.
We've invested in personal coaching for me and a wide range of development and strategic activities for my senior team with Sherri McArdle, Jim Ramerman and several other professionals in their organization.
For some of my team, this was a new kind of personal development. We spent some time building trust in the confidential nature of the personal coaching each person was receiving, and over time they began to feel the same level of confidence in MRC as I do.
The long-term result has been very strong, and has had a powerful impact throughout the entire JSL organization. It's especially gratifying that our senior leaders, who were already very good at their jobs, have become more strategic, and a much more effective team.
We are able to accomplish an astonishing amount of work using the teaming tools and team wide trust that we've gained with the help of Sherri, Jim and the entire McArdle Ramerman organization. I have been told many times by outsiders that we have built a highly effective and impressive senior management team, and I think a good part of the credit for that goes to the hard work we've done together at the McArdle Ramerman Center.
—Dan Katz, Chief Executive Officer, Jewish Senior Life
From one of the 25 best small companies to work for in America
"From the time I started working with McArdle Ramerman, Dixon Schwabl nearly tripled our billings in just three years. I credit Sheri McArdle with playing a key role in that growth. She refocused my energies which helped build a dynamic culture and powerful team.
"And there's more to the net result than money—as a result of Sherri's coaching, my company has been selected by The Great Place to Work Institute as one of the 25 best small companies to work for in America for six consecutive years, and in fact, was ranked the #1 best small company to work for in America. We continue to send key employees to McArdle Ramerman for leadership training and the energy and knowledge they bring back keeps our agency vibrant and growing.”
—Lauren Dixon, Chief Executive Officer, Dixon Schwabl Inc.
Simple and elegant
“Sherri McArdle and her team led us through what we think we know. Then, they helped us to draw out additional conclusions and reach actionable meaning from the data. We used the Balanced Scorecard because it balances talent and culture, internal processes, customer focus and financial outcomes. It demands a simple and elegant way of expressing strategic goals and initiatives. Then, it requires appropriate measurements to ensure completion of those goals. They helped us take a loosely disciplined process and turned it into a deep exercise in understanding.”
—Geoff Hitchings, Engineering Manager, Retrotech Inc.
A very special environment for team building
We've done some tremendous work with the people at McArdle Ramerman, but I think it's easy to overlook the power of The McArdle Ramerman Center itself – the wonderful environment created by the people at MRC.
There is a special feeling there. It's a converted chapel, and there is something about the architecture, the lighting and the soft music playing that helps us to feel safe and to think in ways that the office routine seems to minimize. It really helps us to think. It allows us to open up our minds and go deep in our own development.
I don't know another place like it, and I'm more than satisfied with the work we've done there.
—Emy Giacalone, Senior Vice President, HR & OD, Jewish Senior Life
Critical challenges
“With Jim Ramerman’s help, we’ve worked through some critical challenges to experience significant growth. We’re stronger as a team—especially through learning to give and receive feedback and conduct high-gain conversations.”
—James Brush, President and CEO, Sentry Group
Competitive edge
"My work at McArdle Ramerman has 'lifted the fog' for my approach to competing at the highest level. I've grown to understand that technical skills can only get my organization so far. Leadership development is a force multiplier for me personally and for my people.
"With Jim Ramerman's coaching and with training from Sherri McArdle, I've gained self-knowledge and stronger connection skills. These showed me how to team with people who are quite different from me. Our differences complement one another, creating a formidable competitive force. We find solutions that are out of the ordinary and give us an edge we could not otherwise enjoy.”
—Babur Mian, President and CEO, Mian Adam and Associates, LLC
One of the most valuable leadership development experiences
“As a participant in the process, I share the view with others that it was one of the most valuable leadership development experiences I’ve ever participated in. It also turned out that the process was very important for retention of some of our key executives…coaching made me a better coach.”
—Beth Skrainar, VP HR, Harris Corporation
Four reinventions
"Jim Ramerman has taken my company and me through four reinventions over the years, and we've changed and grown in important ways. He helped my Dad and me work out my succession when I became head of the firm; we've built and rebuilt our strategic plan four times with Jim; and we've become a significant regional player in our market.
"Now that I'm planning my own succession into retirement, Jim is helping us get the clarity and processes in place to handle that gracefully.
"We're a stronger team, more trusting and collaborative, and we've got the right people in the right seats now.
On a personal note, Jim has helped me reinvent myself over and over again. I've grown into a more-effective leader, sure. But more importantly, I've been able to find more joy in my work and life than I could have without Jim Ramerman.”
—Ed Parrone, President and CEO, Parrone Engineering
Tripled the bottom line
“Insight, clarity, action…Sherri McArdle and Jim Ramerman’s inimitable coaching skills helped me to learn how my leadership behavior could positively influence the direction of my organization. It’s doubled its revenues and more than tripled the bottom line.”
—A.Gidget Hopf, Ed.D, President and CEO, Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired-Goodwill Industries of Greater Rochester
Long-term effects
“I was part of the Leadership Rising senior executive group and received extensive coaching from Jim Ramerman. I’ve seen important immediate results, and am beginning to see some long-term effects as well.
“The assessment and coaching provided deep personal insights that have enhanced my effectiveness as an employee, in my relationships and as a leader. Formal classroom training helped me solve a specific business issue and gave me practical tools to use as a coach of my team. Connecting with peers from other companies gave me benchmarks for my own career and helped me clarify my own direction.
“I’m a better communicator and a better person, and expect to continue growing in my application of the leadership discipline I learned at MRI.”
—Kim Krisher, Director of Engineering and Procurement, Sentry Group
Strategic guidance and passion for developing leaders
"Terry McArdle is a joy to work with. The depth of who he is shows up in his work and his ability to lead and inspire teams. He's a natural teacher; articulate, spacious and highly practical in his ability to share new concepts and information from his own knowledge and experience base. Our team has benefited enormously from his strategic guidance and passion for developing leaders. I highly recommend his work and the work of McArdle Ramerman."
—Sue Kochan, CEO, Brand Cool Marketing
Difficult and creative changes
“Coaching received from McArdle Ramerman Inc. brought clarity to the value of our partners and to our compensation model. Based on this clarity Telperion made several difficult and creative changes that have had enormous positive impact on our organization, including compensation, ownership, growth, and reduced stress.
"The highest gain from working with MRI has been from the adjustments we have made in our partnership. Since making these changes, we have logged a 40% increase in revenue over 12 months and a 100% improvement in the enjoyment of our work.”
—Lynn Heatley, CEO & President, IT Advantage, LLC
Raised my own leadership
“McArdle Ramerman Inc. has been an excellent source of personalized coaching and guidance. The experience has raised my own leadership performance and the achievements of our organization.”
—Liz Hart, Vice President, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
Fresh and beneficial business perspective
“McArdle Ramerman has brought a fresh and beneficial business perspective to Hillside Family of Agencies. The successful launches of our leadership development and ‘culture of inclusion’ initiatives have been due, in great part, to the resources and wise counsel they have been providing throughout the planning process.”
—John Barr, Chief Marketing Officer, Hillside Family of Agencies
Excellent job facilitating
“McArdle Ramerman did an excellent job at facilitating discussion at our day long retreat. The alternate moments of teaching and encouragement kept us on track and allowed us to gain more clarity.”
—Ron Peckham, President & COO, C&S Companies
Intellectual interaction
“What has been most helpful to me in the coaching process is Sherri’s ability not to just play back the questions, but to offer alternatives…it is the intellectual interaction of whether or not the results are coming together right that has produced a better process for me and has been the best outgrowth of the coaching process.”
—Carl Sassano, Former President and COO, Bausch & Lomb
Come to the right answer
“From my perspective as a leader, what I really want is the best decision. I always wanted to be the one who had the answer. Now I want to be the one who helps facilitate getting to the right answer, and it doesn’t matter whose it is. Successful leaders don’t care where the answer comes from. They just care that the group has come to the right answer.”
—Ken Greene, CEO, Bruegger’s Bagel Baker and President, Flour City Bagels
Became a strategic leader
“In the year that Terry McArdle worked with me, I acquired the ability to go from an activity-driven leader to a strategic leader requiring results from her team. I learned to use my time more effectively by holding others accountable for deliverable's. I learned to give less information in order to be more efficient and allow others to bring fresh ideas to the table. Terry was direct, challenging and offered skilled insight into my stated goals and behaviors which interfered with my reaching the success that I desired. Finally, Terry helped me focus on my personal goals which had gotten buried over the last ten years. I learned to implement what I said I wanted vs. what i was actually doing. The 360 feedback was empowering. I would highly recommend Terry as a coach. My leadership style was greatly enhanced.”
—Ruby Lockhart, Executive Director, Garth Fagan Dance
Strength we didn’t know we had
“In our business, it’s easy to fall in a rut. You think that because you’ve been in business so long, you know what needs to be done. Jim Ramerman helped us to find the strength we didn’t know we had, to get bigger projects, add customers, and increase morale.”
—Sergio Esteban, CEO, LaBella Associates, P.C.
Skill for change
“Helped to clarify at a time when I really wanted to learn to focus; and gave the skill to help make the change”
—Nancy B. Ronquill, President / CEO, Children’s Home & Aid Society of Illinois
Empowering my colleagues
“The networking and shared experiences/challenges brought clarity to problem solving approaches. High-gain conversation exercises brought my thinking about ‘the question’ before coming up with an answer. I can take these skills back to my organization and use them as a means of empowering my colleagues.”
—Ricardo Parker, President, Oak Grove Institute Foundation
Very smooth/effective method
“The bringing of instruments to help us identify key issues and then smooth implementation of those tools into the small group session; very smooth/effective method.”
—Brian Carroll, President & CEO, Secret Harbor
Thoughtful self-inquiry
“A useful framework for thinking about my professional practice. The case study structure encouraged thoughtful self-inquiry and empathetic engagement with others”
—Nancy Woodruff Ment, President / CEO, The Julia Dyckman Andrus Memorial
High-Gain conversations
“It focused me on leadership rather than putting out fires and letting crises dictate my leadership style. The High-Gain conversations were the highlights for me and learning to do that.”
—Lyn Wheeley, CEO, Vera Lloyd Presbyterian Home & Family Services
Focus on my own behavior
“Made me focus on my own behavior, attitude, actions, and goals. Made me analyze my clarity and how to improve and articulate myself better”
—Richard Quigley, CEO, Woodland Hills
More enlightened, effective
“MRI has played a key role in helping me become a more enlightened, effective CEO. By getting to know me and my team, MRI has become a valued and productive partner. MRI’s tools range from exceptionally insightful reflections to valuable perspective and experience, shared in ways that challenge us to go beyond the 'comfortable' to the next level.
"In particular, MRI’s guidance and assistance with my 360° appraisal allowed me to truly understand where I stand as a leader, where my opportunities for improvement were, and how to best capitalize on my strengths. MRI’s “Leadership Rising” has truly elevated our leaders and our practice.”
—James A. Schuster, M.D., CEO & Managing Partner, Borg Imaging Group
Strategically productive
“The Leadership Rising program has helped me to focus my attention on a few key areas of personal strength and development. This has resulted in me better using my limited time and resources in a strategically productive manner.
—Dennis Richardson, CEO, Hillside Family of Agencies
Life changing
The time spent in their executive group and one-on-one coaching with Sherri has been life changing. I gained powerful insights, learned to see past surface appearances and enhanced my strengths as an inclusive leader.
—Portia Y. James, Former Director of Diversity and Leadership Development, Wegmans Food Markets
Organization-wide approach to strategic planning and execution
“I was able to help the company move to an organization-wide approach to strategic planning and execution. We’re seeing significant improvement in alignment and results, and I owe a lot of that to the insight and learning I gained from Sherri McArdle.”
—Christine Bergeman, Vice President of Transformation, Excellus Blue Cross / Blue Shield
Honest, direct, and clear… and tripled profits
McArdle Ramerman taught me and our management team how to be more honest, direct, and clear with each other – and with ourselves. As a direct result our major regional advertising agency successfully bought out the founder, solidified stars, sharpened strategy, gained accountability, doubled billings, and tripled profits. All in a five year stretch. We vastly multiplied personal satisfaction, too.
—Paul Hudson, Fornmer CEO/Owner, Roberts Communications, Inc.
Jim is a master
"Jim Ramerman has been a guest lecturer for several years, and we keep inviting him back. He's an important part of our "drill down" sessions, where our high-potential employees are learning vital skills. One employee reported a much more lucrative contract after learning new negotiation skills from Jim.
"We hear regularly that insights from Jim's communications styles training have led to our people growing more effective. They see themselves more clearly and connect better with others. Jim is a master at teaching people so they can easily take in these critical life and work lessons."
—Mack R. LaZenby, former Director of Corporate Training and Professional Development,
Wilbur Smith Associates
Actionable plans for growth and success
“Working with Terry Mcardle was not only a pleasure but a true honor. He is able to take a large number of people and help them focus on very specific tasks that drive actionable plans for growth and success. His pre-work and pre-planning are designed to get people out of their comfort zone, out of a "it's all about me" mentality and into a state of mind that promotes the "greater good" philosophy. Our organization is grateful for the opportunity to hold our strategy meeting at McArdle Rammerman's offices and to be able to work with such a high-level consultant like Terry. I look forward to an opportunity to work with Terry again in the future.
—Susan Kavanagh, President-Elect, Digital Rochester