Consulting FAQ

 

Q. How long does this take?
It depends on the complexity of the message and the skills of the participants. We can facilitate the creation of a specific message in one day or virtually if the attendees have been trained by Articulus. For a complex pitch consulting engagement it may take 3 – 8 days to fully prepare the message and the team.

Q. What if all my people are not trained as Corporate Storytellers by Articulus?
We will work with your team if they have not been trained, but it typically takes more time to deliver the results. Trained individuals in the Articulus Methodology work more efficiently in message creation.

Q.What is the deliverable from Discovering the Message™?
The deliverables may include slides, scripts, practice time and coaching, a video example of the delivery, and prep materials for Q & A sessions. The specific deliverables will be documented in the statement of work.

Q. What can you do in two hours?
A two hour live event should really be aimed at helping people recognize the need to change, not working on a specific event. We work with you to understand your specific outcomes and structure facilitation and content in an effort to achieve them. A message can be developed in two hours, but the right message might take longer.

Q. Can you evaluate my people for persuasive communications?
Yes, we have a process for viewing an individual presenting and can assess that person against a model for persuasive communication. We will report to you on the gap analysis with the current message delivery and the desired performance. Armed with this information we can create an execution plan for the purpose of developing persuasive communication skills in you or your team.

Q.What type of consulting do you provide to help a team prepare for an important presentation?
We provide three types of consulting for critical presentations: message development, content development, and message presentation. During message development Articulus will work with the team, as needed, to develop specific messages. Articulus may work with large groups (e.g. the entire pursuit team and supporting staff), small groups, or individuals. During content development Articulus will coach the presenters on the development of their materials. For example, if a PowerPoint presentation is being developed, Articulus can help coach the developer to make sure the message is well communicated in the media. During message presentation Articulus will watch, as needed, practice presentations and provide coaching. The coaching will include body-voice and message integrity (making sure the body and voice say the same thing as the message), the effective use of communication media, and adapting the materials for the presenter’s style.

Q.What consultants do you use for the Articulus consulting?
A group of Articulus Corporate Storytellers is certified to consult with our customers. Our instructors are experienced coaches, instructors, and consultants. To increase your return on investment, we match our consultants with the specific opportunity. For example, we will match our consultants based on industry (e.g. IT, oil service, software, etc.), geography, organization (e.g. sales, marketing, leadership, R&D), and the type of consulting event (e.g keynote preparation, sales presentation, corporate messaging).

Q.Who should I talk to about a consulting engagement?
Please use the Contact Us page to call or email Articulus to discuss your needs.

Q.How much lead time is required to set up a consulting engagement?
If one of our consultants is available we can respond very quickly. Please see the Contact Us page to inquire about our availability.

Q.Do you do "pitch consulting?"
Yes. Articulus would prefer to train your organization to be Corporate Storytellers so you do not have to use our consulting services for a "pitch." Articulus does "pitch consulting" for very important presentations and for events for which there is not enough time for training. This is typically done through our Discovering the Message™ process.

Q.What is the best time to engage Articulus in the preparation for an important presentation?
We break presentation preparation into 3 parts: message development, content development, and practice. Articulus can coach during any of these preparation periods. It is best to engage Articulus as early in message development as possible. If we engage early in message development, we can make sure the message, the supporting materials, and the message presentation are all aligned.

Q.Would it be better to get trained or use Articulus for consulting?
Do you want to learn how to fish on your own or do you want us to always be there to drive the boat, bait the hook and tell you what direction to cast your rod? Articulus’ training and consulting services are designed for different purposes. Training is designed to transfer the skill of Corporate Storytelling from Articulus to the participants. Consulting is designed to apply Corporate Storytelling, not skill development. So, if you want to continue to use Corporate Storytelling and you have enough time for training, you should look at the different training options. If you want results and you want them now, consulting is right for you.