Why Bridges? ::

Why Bridges?

1. Why choose a miniscule strategy coaching firm, instead of ---

a) a mammoth strategy management consultancy? (As of 2010 the preeminent "Big Three" of McKinsey, Bain and BCG respectively have staffs of ca. 8,700; 4,800; and 2,800.)

An obvious, albeit not very good, answer is the assumption that the tiny firm will cost a correspondingly tiny fraction of what a giant consultancy would charge. That can be 100,000€ a week ! The better answer, which applies both to parts (a) and (b) of this question, is below.

b) one of the smaller boutique strategy consultancies?

These have less aggressive pricing than the "Big Three," but what really count are the results, the price/performance ratio. Furthermore a consulting team and an executive coach are not necessarily mutually exclusive.¹ In fact, they may well be complementary.

2. Given that a strategy coaching firm is a reasonable choice, why Bridges?

a) the short answer

With "results based billing," "one client per industry" and the Q³ methodology we strive to have the best price/performance ratio for strategy coaching in the profession.

b) the medium answer

For the medium length answer (half-a-dozen slides, for those who prefer this approach), click on Bridges PPT. To verify our competence to coach in German, see the subpage: "Auflisting der Kitsch-Seiten."

c) the long answer

Read the Q-Methodology at "About Bridges" and "I.The Strategy Q-Ship Odyssey" at Services. Peruse some other subpages to get a better idea of this website's content. Then examine the websites of other executive coaching firms. Consider their strengths and weaknesses in comparison to those of Bridges. See the following subpage, "Client Selection, Plan and Fees," which also discusses the setting of SMART goals. Decide on the goals and make a preliminary determination of the Key Factors for Success for strategic issues at your own firm. Preparea shortlist of coaching firms accordingly and schedule some exploratory consultations.

And a long bridge:

The Donghai Bridge, second longest in the world, Shanghai^2*

1 Both the coach and the consulting team are seeking to provide value to the client firm. The relationship between the strategy coach and the senior partner in charge of the consulting engagement will determine in large part whether the two do, in fact, complement one another. Nevertheless, just as some negotiations are, per force, "win/lose" rather than the universally promulgated "win/win," sometimes the choice between a coaching firm and a consulting firm will also be an "either/or."

2 The Donghai Bridge, literally the "East Sea Grand Bridge," was opened 2005. It connects Shanghai with the deep water port Yanshan. Its length of 32.5 km (20 miles) is second in the world. (The longest is the Hanghouz Bay Bridge, also in China, opened 2008.)

Why Bridges?

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