Consulting Services
DI FRANCES & ASSOCIATES, LLC is a professional services firm that assists client organizations in a number of specific marketplace and organizational aspects. Founded in 1983, by John Di Frances our Managing Partner, we have had the pleasure ever since of serving a widely varied clientele including corporations, nonprofit organizations, government agencies and associations, both in North America and internationally.
Business Development & IntegrationIn business today, integration is key. Accelerating change, technology, global competition and a host of other factors demand that organizations function in an integrated versus piecemeal manner. Otherwise, a gain in one area of the business may well be offset by a declination in another or worse yet, an improvement to one aspect of the may be the direct, but unrecognized cause of a detrimental outcome in another. Clearly, a holistic approach to all that the organization does is essential.John, along with his colleagues, has pioneered an approach he terms the Three Key Phases that can lead organizations through their iterative response to change, both internal and external. A graphical overview depiction of this approach can be viewed at Approach: Three Key Phases. Using this proprietary methodology, John assists organizations in actively confronting the challenges and opportunities they face in a manner that assures a fully integrated organizational response.
The LEGACY PROJECTThe LEGACY PROJECT directs attention to the intangible aspects of organizational growth and success, understanding that when these intangibles become the primary focus of our desire and goal setting, the tangible outcomes such as profit growth, customer satisfaction and loyalty, employee commitment …, which we also desire become the natural outcomes. Thus, we can achieve our desired ends without bending the rules, acting in ethically questionable manner, abusing people or any of the many undesirable impacts that are far too prevalent today. Available resources will always fall short of what is desired, no matter what the size of the organization. However, focusing on what we lack is counterproductive. Our true limitation is not a lack of resources, but rather a lack of vision to the see the possible. The Legacy Project is premised upon the fact that principled leaders, empowering their people, create an unstoppable force which can achieve results far beyond expectations. This is the secret to unleashing continuous gains in organizational productivity and growth.
Strategic Scenario PlanningStrategic Scenario Planning is a methodology designed to minimize the negative impact of future crisis situations while simultaneously optimizing current marketplace strategies through a careful analysis of vulnerabilities and responsive pre-planning. Although there is no way to eliminate major risks completely, it is possible and prudent to seek to minimize their negative impact and to optimize resulting marketplace strategies through a careful analysis of vulnerabilities and response pre-planning. This exercise has come to be known as Strategic Scenario Design and Response Planning. Just as insurance is necessary to mitigate risk of loss, forward thinking companies prepare for and minimize the potential risk of non-insurable calamity. The alternative is to do nothing, until somewhere in the world, a natural or man-made disaster strikes and its repercussions cripple your business.
Solutions to Complex Problem Solving
For nearly one hundred years, the U.S. Forest Service has sought to prevent forest fires using every conceivable means, including the memorable icon of Smokey the Bear. At first, their efforts seemed successful, as the number of forest fires caused by humans significantly diminished during a period in which the number of annual visitors to national parks and forests increased dramatically. Yet, was the ultimate goal of protecting national preserves achieved?
Unfortunately, the answer is “no.” Despite the decline in the total number of annual fires, fire severity in the latter portion of the 20th century climbed to a dangerously high level. Why? Quite simply, because the measures taken by the Forest Service actually created the tinder which inevitably results in large scale fires. Whereas frequent, but less intense naturally occurring fires burn off much of the ground based and low hanging fuel, they rarely threaten the larger trees. These fires prevent a build-up of the very tinder which fuels the infrequent, but immensely devastating fires that obliterate entire forests. For centuries the Native Americans understood this reality, and actually started fires on a regular basis in order to accomplish such “brush clearings.” Thus were the ancient forests continually revitalized.Modern corporate culture frequently mimics the kind of futile problem solving once exhibited by the U.S. Forest Service. We endeavor to efficiently solve individual difficulties, and in so doing often create new and far more serious problems. The U.S. Forest Service has recently begun to utilize the same technique once demonstrated by Native Americans—that of setting fires to cause prescribed burns. In business, we must also look for answers beyond the most obvious and immediate solutions. Sometimes, we must actually create a “problem” in order to prevent future disaster. In other situations, we must seek longer term solutions to attain optimal results. John's creative approach to finding the optimal innovative solutions to complex problems has benefited numerous clients both here and abroad.
Federal Government ProcurementFederal Government Procurement advisory services stem from John’s more than thirty years of experience in this marketplace. Our services include market studies and penetration analysis to assistance in RFP planning, preparation, Red Teaming and negotiation, full contract administration assistance and finally contract audit and closure. We also assist clients in obtaining Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), weapons export licenses and Technical Assistance Agreements (TAA) under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Our clients include large international aerospace and defense companies, middle market, small and small disadvantaged businesses (SDB) both as prime and subcontractors. We have direct experience with most federal agencies as well as some state and local government authorities. (Website coming.)
