Why does Chorus Consulting exist? How did Chris Hicks get from IBM to Chorus Consulting? Why did Mike join the team?
Learning to Love Crisp Methodology
In 1988, Chris went to work for Arthur Andersen MICD which became Andersen Consulting about a year later and is now known as Accenture. While at Andersen, Chris worked with mid-sized companies and focused on Strategy and Systems Implementation. He also developed a love for crisp and focused methodology and its ability (when done well) to drive exceptional results. Good methodology is intelligent, common sense and adaptable. It is very different than process which usually becomes cumbersome and bureaucratic.
Learning Marketing and Sales in a Complex Organization
Consulting firms do sales and for consulting firms, “consultative selling” is directly part of every sale. Product and software companies can be very different. Broader ranges of products and offerings and a velocity model that is very different than consulting. From 1997 to 2007, Chris was part of IBM. First in services (Business Intelligence), then in alliances (JDEdwards alliance, software alliances), then in sales (Power Systems) and finally in strategy (North and South America Sales Strategy). This was a whole different set of experiences, challenges and priorities.
In 2007, something happened. Chris was part of a multi-day planning session to develop plans to close sales gaps. It was painful and frustrating. It illustrated how hard it can be to get any team moving in the same direction with the same understanding and the same commitment. It reminded him of an old EDS commercial about the challenges of “Herding Cats.” Chris had a realization.
“It should not be this hard. The yield rates shouldn’t be this low.”
It planted a seed that there is a need for something better.
Starting Chorus Consulting
Chris split from IBM and started Chorus Consulting in 2007. He immediately created a set of methodologies called Step Ahead®. Step Ahead involves powerful methodology that can adapt, innovative technology that captures and reinforces, and actionable output to enable end-to-end management. These three elements are the core of Step Ahead and are the basis for multiple customer oriented offerings.
Every offering based on Step Ahead gets more done in less time with clearly actionable results. Most offerings focus on three key steps:
Step Ahead cuts through politics and false commitment. It cuts through flawed strategies based on incomplete and inconsistent insight. It drives to action and measurement.
Chorus Consulting has led over 600 strategic sessions for ten clients in over 4 years using variations of Step Ahead® methodology with over 8,000 participants in 29 countries. While many of those sessions have been with top executives, the majority have been with middle-managers. Chris is fond of saying that Chorus Consulting focuses on strategy with a “small s not a capital S.” Chorus Consulting is not the firm for five year visions. The focus is almost always on strategies that can make a substantial difference in the next 12 months by elevating and focusing a team. The Chorus focus is on practical strategies with clear actions.
Why the Name, Chorus?
But, why is it called Chorus Consulting? After searching for the right name, Chris saw this definition:
“To say the same thing, at the same time, together as one”
What an aspirational goal for your business. But how often does a business fall short of that goal. In selling? In strategy? With partners? With customers? You have probably heard the clichés. “Half of the battle is getting everyone on the same page.” Can there be any doubt that billions, maybe even trillions have been invested over time in trying to get to that goal: same thing, same time, together as one?
The definition is for the word Chorus. It is a beautiful vision and a perfect word to embody what we are trying to achieve.
Clients and Growth
Since 2007, Chorus Consulting has worked with ten principal clients in 29 countries. Over 8,000 people have participated in a Step Ahead workshops since 2007.
Mike Carter joined Chorus Consulting in the beginning of 2011. Mike graduated from college in 2009, at the height of the financial crisis. He has lived in both Korea and China. His experience helped him see the value of what Chorus does to help clients. In 2011, Mike has done work for Chorus Consulting in Brazil, India, China, Australia, South Africa and about five other countries.
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