Workshop 5: Leading a Thriving Consulting Practice

With a surging economy and increased demand for attracting, selecting, developing, and retaining top talent, the demand for I-O-based consulting is high. Today’s consulting practices range from solo operations to large, international consulting organizations. Furthermore, most of us who work for large organizations have considered starting our own business. This workshop will leverage the expertise of two I-O practitioners with broad consulting experience, ranging from leading a large international consulting practice to starting their own consulting practice. This workshop will include (a) approaches to building a consulting practice, (b) models and approaches to delivering consulting services, (c) a discussion of the practicalities of operating a consulting business, and (d) a review of current trends in consulting. This workshop should be of interest to practitioners currently working for a consulting company, anyone considering starting a consulting practice, or internal practitioners with a desire to better understand consulting trends and practices.

This workshop is designed to help participants:

• Understand the practicalities of managing a growing practice
• Describe trends and themes in consulting
• Develop a direction and strategy for a consulting practice
• Identify various approaches and challenges in the marketing and sales of consulting services
• Assess the realities of starting a consulting practice

Tim Irwin is managing partner of Irwin Inc. Psychologists to Business. For 20 years, he has assisted corporations in diverse industries on a variety of topics, including management and executive development, employee selection, and organizational development. He assisted in founding and served for a number of years as the facilitator for the Regional Leadership Institute. His work has taken him to over 25 foreign countries in Europe, Latin American, Canada, and the Far East. From 2000 to 2005, Tim served as managing vice-president of Right Management Consultants, a firm specializing in organizational design, talent management, and leadership development. Right is a Philadelphia-based company with over 300 offices worldwide. He is the author of a book to be released by Nelson Business in January 2007. Dr. Irwin received his BA and MA from the University of Georgia. His PhD training included a dual major in I-O and clinical psychology from Georgia State University. He is a licensed psychologist and an adjunct professor of psychology at the University of Georgia and at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida.

Adam Ortiz is the founder of Executive Development Consulting. He provides executive assessment, coaching, and leadership development services aimed at creating sustainable improvements in individual and organizational performance. Adam brings a broad and pragmatic perspective to his client’s unique business needs and circumstances. This perspective has evolved over the last 20 years through working with leaders from around the world and across a wide range of Fortune 500 companies in industries such as financial services, technology, manufacturing, retail, and energy. Adam has held executive leadership positions at Time Warner and Bank of America. In these organizations, he was instrumental in the design and implementation of talent management and development solutions. In addition, he spent several years with an internationally recognized consulting firm. Adam began his career with the United States Air Force. Adam graduated with a degree in social psychology from Park College in Parkville, Missouri, and received his doctorate in counseling psychology from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is a licensed psychologist in the state of Minnesota.

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