Solutions

Solutions for Your Organization

Creative, competent, caring and candid – we are here to serve you. You will find information about our consulting solutions on the paint palette below; just click on the color/topic that interests you. In addition, directly below the palette, there is a discussion about our service approach.

Who You Gonna Call? The Problem Busters...

The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines so·lu·tion as: an action or process of solving a problem. Here at Piurek & Associates, we are on-call to help you bust through any problem you are facing.

Let’s revisit Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary for a moment; they define prob·lem as: 1) a question raised for inquiry, consideration, or solution; 2) an intricate unsettled question; and 3) a source of perplexity, distress, or vexation. Our favorite is number 3 – perplexity, distress and vexation. After all, who hasn’t experienced it at one time or another when trying to survive and thrive in today’s challenging climate. And it can be challenging having to face funding cuts, staff turnover, political issues, and ever increasing expectations and community needs.

Where is a Leader to turn? The Problem Busters…

What kinds of problems can we help you bust through? Any and all. Are we saying we have the talent, skill and experience to solve absolutely ANY problem you have? Absolutely NOT! We like to think of ourselves as a talented bunch of folks, but after all there are 16 of us. How can we understand EVERY aspect of the health and human services field? We can’t! So then, how can we help you bust through ANY and ALL problems you have? We’re glad you asked (okay, we thought of the question, but we are glad you are interested in the answer).

We help you bust through any and all problems by…

• Caring more about you more than whether or not we get a consulting assignment...
  When we meet with you, we are focused on you. We are honored to be of service to you and want to build a long-term relationship with you and your team.
• Objectively analyzing your challenge or opportunity…
  We come with a fresh perspective, a willingness to ask the hard questions, and optimism – lots and lots of optimism. After all, to find the light at the end of the tunnel, we must first believe there is a way out.
• Figuring out the best solution, irrespective of whether or not we are part of the solution...
  We’ve all heard the story of the worker with a tool box and a hammer; s/he thought every problem could be solved with the hammer. That is a story we are committed to learning from and NOT repeating with you.
  
  Sure, we like to think we are a helpful group with some groovy ideas and lots of energy to bring to the solution table, but what is MOST important is the BEST solution for you. This means developing a solution that leverages your existing resources, honors your staff talents, works with your budget, and GETS THE JOB DONE.
  
  Sometimes that solution involves us; other times it involves referring you to a resource or making recommendations for tapping into your organizational talent in a new way.
• Bringing your solution team together…
  If we have both decided it makes sense to keep working together to solve your problem, this is where we help identify the brains and muscle needed to formulate and implement a plan of action.
  
  We have found having the right people at the table makes all the difference between success and failure. This involves deciding who in your organization has the power, knowledge, insight, and skill to be a part of creating the shift you want.
  
  Next, we get everyone together to develop a common understanding of what we want to accomplish, why it is important, and how we will approach the planning process.
• Formulating your problem–busting plan of action…
  Now it is time to roll up our sleeves and put together a plan of action. This is all about what needs to be done, who will do it and when it will be done. The plan can be a few steps jotted down on a napkin at lunch or a comprehencive work plan with hundreds of action items.
  
  What is REALLY important is putting together a plan based on your priorities and resources -- a plan that will get you where you want to go.
• Implementing your plan – this is where it really gets fun!
  There are plans and then there are plans. Some plans come to life; the solution team then works them, updates them, changes them, and the larger team gets engaged and ultimately victory is achieved.
  
  Other plans die, they become outdated, dusty, perhaps vague memory, and ultimately they represent nothing more than a failed initiative. Participants may be left with the thought "been there, done that, didn’t work" In this case the next time you bring up a similar approach, you may run into even more resistance.
• Sustaining your hard earned gains…
  Yes, it can be tough to improve that program, open up communication with staff, get that new funding, or get compliant with requirements. Whatever your accomplishment, we are here to help you sustain your victory. Keeping in mind what it takes to sustain and evolve gains, we will help you integrate your accomplishment into ongoing operations.