|
FAQ
We have
compiled a list of our most frequently asked questions.
The "Process"
page in our "Services" section has information on a
typical Consulting Process.
- What
is the difference between ESC and SCORE?
- Do
I need to designate a contact person from my agency to the
Executive Service Corps consulting team?
- Can
I count on confidentiality with this consultancy?
- Does
Executive Service Corps do fundraising?
- Do
ESC consultants do implementation?
- What
does the Lead Consultant do?
- Who
should be interviewed for the consulting project?
- What
contact am I going to have with the Executive Service Corps
Executive Director?
- How
often should I expect to meet with my consultants?
- Do
the consultants ever attend Board or staff meetings?
- What
do I do if the project is not going as I had hoped?
- What
can I expect from Executive Service Corps in writing?
- Will
I have an opportunity to see the consultants’ report before it
is finalized?
- Will
you present the report to my Board of Directors?
- What
follow up is there after the project is over?
- At
what point can my agency come back for additional services?
1. What is
the difference between the Executive Service Corps and SCORE?
ESC, or the Executive Service Corps, and SCORE, or the Service Corps
of Retired Executives, have similar sounding names and both groups
are based on the principle that volunteer business people have a
wealth of experience and expertise that should not be wasted. ESC
serves only non-profits, while SCORE helps small businesses. SCORE
receives funding from the United States Small Business
Administration. Executive Service Corps is supported by foundation
and corporate grants, individuals' contributions, and revenue
generated by client fees.
Back to Top
2. Do
I need to designate a contact person from my agency to the Executive
Service Corps consulting team?
It is helpful for the agency to identify a key contact for the ESC
consulting team. This contributes to good communication and a smooth
running project. Generally that person is the Executive Director,
but it can be a member of the Board or a key staff person. This
person needs to have authority to make things happen. The agency
should make certain that the contact person can be accessible and
available to the consultants so that the project can be completed
within the time limits agreed upon in the consulting plan.
Back to Top
3. Can I count on confidentiality with this consultancy?
In the interviewing process, information will not be attributed to
an individual interviewee— only the content of the interview
integrated with others. Executive Service Corps will not share
private discussions with you. The final report is given to you and
we can send a copy directly to your Board of Directors if you wish.
Back to Top
4. Does Executive Service Corps do fundraising?
Executive Service Corps does not raise funds on behalf of a
nonprofit agency. ESC consultants can, however, review fundraising
plans and programs. ESC works in management areas that contribute
directly to a successful fundraising program, such as: Board
development, strategic planning, marketing, and public relations.
Back to Top
5. Do ESC consultants do implementation?
Executive Service Corps does not implement recommendations. ESC’s
role is advisor, and the client’s role is implementation. The ESC
report will be written, however, to be outcome-oriented.
"Hands-on" activity (e.g., development of job
descriptions) is only used at times in order to accelerate the
learning process of the client.
Back to Top
6. What does the Lead Consultant do?
The Lead Consultant is an ESC volunteer who meets with you to assess
your management needs, introduce you to the consultant team, and
help ensure that the project is on track and running smoothly. He or
she will be in touch with you periodically to check on the progress
of the project. You should feel free to call the Lead Consultant at
any point during the consultancy
Back to Top
7. Who should be interviewed for the consulting project?
Most successful consulting projects involve a series of interviews
with key Board and staff members. In order to elicit valuable input,
it is recommended that consultants also be given the opportunity to
interview selected clients and other appropriate community contacts.
Back to Top
8. What contact am I going to have with the Executive Service Corps
Executive Director?
The ESC Executive Director will contact you to discuss the fee for
the project. Your immediate contact is with the consulting team, and
you are expected to give telephone progress reports to the Lead
Consultant. ESC’s Executive Director is available to you by phone
at any time during the project.
Back to Top
9. How often should I expect to meet with my consultants?
There is no set schedule for meeting with consultants. That is
entirely up to you and the consulting team. Scheduling regular
meetings (i.e. weekly, bi-weekly) with the consultants does help in
building momentum on the consulting project. They can also serve as
important progress checkpoints. Ongoing communication between client
and consultant is important. During the course of the project,
consultants will communicate on a regular basis with you to keep you
up to date on their progress.
Back to Top
10. Do the consultants ever attend Board or staff meetings?
Attending Board and staff meetings is not a requirement. It can be
helpful, however, to provide the consultants with the opportunity to
observe a staff or Board meeting in order to gain a perspective on
your agency’s operations. You and the consultants together
determine the appropriateness of attending these meetings. You may
also wish to share your Board meeting minutes with the consultants.
Back to Top
11. What
do I do if the project is not going as I had hoped?
We hope and expect that the consulting project will run smoothly.
There may be times, however, when you feel that the project is
dragging, or you have a concern about a particular consultant, or
just would like to offer your thoughts to Executive Service Corps.
Direct communication with the consultants is helpful, but we hope
you will also call the Executive Director if you feel concerned
about the project for any reason. We can then do a mid-course
correction if it is needed in order to ensure a successful project.
Back to Top
12. What can I expect from Executive Service Corps in writing?
At the conclusion of the consulting project, ESC consultants will
prepare a written report summarizing their findings, recommendations
and suggested implementation steps. In addition, you and the
consultants may feel that interim reports are needed.
Back to Top
13. Will I have an opportunity to see the consultants’ report
before it is finalized?
Yes. Before the consultants’ report is finalized you will be given
a draft to review. The consultants will be happy to meet with you to
discuss the report, or if you prefer, the report can be mailed to
you. After you have reviewed the report and offered any suggestions
for change, the report will be finalized.
Back to Top
14. Will you present the report to my Board of Directors?
This decision is up to you, but it can be very helpful for you and
ESC consultants to share the report with the Board in order to
maximize their involvement in helping to implement recommendations.
It is often most effective when you make the presentation to the
Board with the consultants present to help in fielding questions and
participate in discussion.
Back to Top
15. What follow up is there after the project is over?
Six months following project completion, an independent ESC
volunteer evaluator will schedule a meeting with you to discuss your
overall satisfaction with ESC and the impact that the project has
had on your organization
Back to Top
16. At what point can my agency come back for additional
services?
ESC welcomes "repeat business." We encourage you to come
back to ESC with a request for assistance in any managerial areas of
need. Just give us a call and we’ll get a new project started:
(206) 682-6704.
Back
to Top
|
