Testimonials
"Thomas, Connolly & Phelps has really helped us improve employee performance in our organization, and Jim Connolly has become a trusted advisor. His knowledge about how human behavior works is amazing, and he uses that knowledge and the tools his company has developed to get at the root of organizational issues. I have worked with Jim Connolly on several projects and I'll continue to call on Thomas, Connolly & Phelps in the future."
Patrick Doolin
President
Integrity Data
www.integrity-data.com
"Due to an unsuccessful history with "consultants" I choose outside management assistance with great care.
After meeting with Jim Connolly and discussing possible applications within our company I was impressed with his desire to get "inside" the business and his promise for results. I felt very comfortable sharing key information with Jim so he could fully comprehend our challenges and offer the most efficient assistance. He became fully aware of our culture on his way to tailoring a plan that best fit our needs.
Jim never pressured for a "sale" or ran up the bill for services. Each quote was detailed including services he would provide, services he expected us to provide, amount of time required for the project, costs and expected results.
Our first deal with Jim was so successful we have continued to use his experience on other projects. He truly earned our business and delivered the results he promised. Jim became a valuable and trusted advisor."
Dave Van Laar
CEO
Oak State Products
www.oakstate.com
"We retained Jim to help us restructure our entire operation with the objective of achieving consistent profitability under current market conditions, to insure our long term viability. Jim helped us to establish and work toward specific goals to reduce our base/fixed costs, improve & lean up all operations and to increase revenues.
Jim has helped us most by bringing an outside, and unbiased perspective to view our operations for what they are, accepting our mistakes and moving us forward. Jim has also helped us keep focused and on track, setting deadlines, encouraging us but at the same time, holding us accountable.
Jim is extremely easy to talk to, gets folks at all levels of our organization to open up, is not threatening, but gets his point across. Our staff cares about Jim's counsel and while not always agreeing, respects his input.
Jim is unique in that he knows and has helped us to know, what to expect or anticipate in terms of human behavior and how to use that to understand reactions and to get people to do something they might not have done on their own. This has been especially helpful in an environment of significant change in a mature workforce with many years of experience and service."
Gary Wesley
Chief Operating Officer
Edward Hine Company
www.edwardhine.com
"We bring into our jobs a mix of natural talents that are often fine tuned by schooling or additional training that helps us with our vocation, but what we often face are tasks that we are asked to do that we didn't have any training for. Sometimes we need some additional training or coaching to help us develop those learned skills to carry out our job.
When I needed some coaching with some tasks recently I remembered going through some training to small group leaders that Jim had taught at my church and found to be quite helpful. I asked if he did individual coaching to help me with things I needed help with to carry out my job responsibilities.
Through our coaching sessions he helped me see how to use my mix of abilities and strengths to face some challenges in a positive way. Jim has a great ability to teach, coach and explain things that will help a person move forward. It has been very beneficial!"
Bill Troyer
Landscape Design Project Manager
Grieder Sod and Landscaping
www.grieders.com
"Jim has been a trusted advisor of mine for more than fifteen years. I trust him with all of my corporate and personal business affairs. Jim has the unique ability to balance driving for results with a coaching style that puts people at ease. Jim has helped us with business planning, hiring the right people, including physicians, and many organizational issues over the years.
We have outperformed our industry for many years and I couldn't have done it without Jim's expertise and guidance."
Dr. Carl Cortese
President, Cortese Foot & Ankle Clinic
President, Med-Surg Surgical Services
www.cortesefootandankle.com
"Jim provided leadership to our board in the development of our 3-year strategic plan. Jim knew exactly what we were looking for in consultative services after our first meeting.
Jim worked extremely well with a diverse group of board members to achieve consensus on strategic issues. Our plan is user-friendly and relevant."
Arlene Happach
Chief Executive Officer
Children's Home
www.chail.org
"Thanks for your help with behavioral interviewing. We are pleased with your report and will use your services again in the future."
Brian Schroeder
Chief Executive Officer
First Farmers State Bank
www.firstfarmers.com
"Jim has become a trusted resource for many of our member organizations. I often hear that members are very glad with the results they've achieved working with Jim. In addition, Jim has helped us internally with change management and communication issues, particularly when it comes to the unintended consequences of our actions. Jim has also been a presenter for us at numerous public programs over the past several years. His feedback ratings from participants are always very strong."
Mary Pille
Chief Executive Officer
Employers' Association
www.eaconnect.com
"Thank you again for presenting to my CEO Forum last week. Your presentation was great and right on target."
Mike Altendorf
President
Renaissance Executive Forums - Chicago - Western Suburbs I
www.executiveforums.com
"You did an excellent job presenting to all five of our CEO Forums this year. I know that several of the CEO's have contacted you and I talked with another one last week who said he was going to call you to help him with an organizational issue. Well done!"
Ed Breclaw
President
Renaissance Executive Forums - Chicago - Western Suburbs II
www.executiveforums.com
"Thank you so much for facilitating our strategic planning board retreat. Your expertise really helped to keep the board focused and helped us achieve the goals that were set. Our incoming board chairman said it was the most effective facilitation he's ever experienced."
Catherine Dunlap
Executive Director
Downtown Bloomington Association
www.downtownbloomington.org
"You are such a huge blessing to our church. It was so good to partner with you on the small group leader training. Your leadership expertise, humble attitude, flexible nature and Christ-like demeanor are incredible characteristics. I consider it a privilege to partner with you in ministry. In His service!"
Mark Warren
Executive Pastor
Eastview Christian Church
www.eastviewchurch.net
"Medical practice revenue is so complex and so byzantine given multiple payors, public aid, Medicare regulations and free clinic care that it is probably not ever fully understandable by anyone. That being the case - a job well done Jim!"
Physician owner/partner
Specialty medical practice