Ithaca Business Ltd
I had the name long before I had the business – it had been a long-held ambition to go out on my own as I felt that the mainstream management consultancies didn’t have all the answers…so Ithaca Business was born…
Ithaca has built an enviable, worldwide reputation for developing and implementing innovative, effective organisational, process, systems and business solutions, predominantly for bluechip, public and large private clients.
Our core principles of independence, doing what we say we are going to do always and delivering value are as applicable today as when we began.
We operate from offices in London, Melbourne and Edinburgh and have undertaken projects throughout Europe, Asia, North America and Australasia, delivering outstanding results across the spectrum of strategy, performance, enablers and structure.
Ithaca’s name derives from the Greek island of the same name. Ithaca was once the island kingdom of Ulysses, a hero of the Trojan War. After the end of the war Ulysses took another 10-years to reach Ithaca having to fight Cyclops, repel the Siren’s songs and escape Circe’s seductive embrace along the way.
Organisations today are not unlike Ulysses – they have goals but frequently lack a map showing a way through the maze. Ithaca’s service profile is designed to provide not only the map, but a guide to show the way, facilitating effective and sustainable change.
Testimonials
Below are a few testimonials of the type we consistently receive from clients -
“The best change management program I have ever seen.”
Pam Balstrup (Manager, Operating Suite Service Area -The Alfred Hospital).
“…key factor to a successful year…”
“We wanted to examine our operational planning options – but Ithaca thought of critical things in the strategic context which impacted our plans that we had not even considered – and went on to develop a really innovative approach to our problem.”
Business Improvement Manager – Radius (Carter Holt Harvey Wood Products)
“Ithaca Business demonstrated a discrete professionalism that allowed hospital staff to perform their daily functions with little interference during on-site interviews and other data gathering functions at Sentient Health hospital customers.”
Joel Haspel (CEO – Sentient Health)
“The best consultancy I have ever worked with.”
(Alan Hunt, Director Supply Chain – Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust)
“They do more than create; they help you bring a plan to life.”
(Professor – Bordeaux Business School)
“I had never realised the intricacy and complexity involved in truly understanding our supply chain from an end-to-end perspective. Gen made it clear and understandable – and then showed us how we could really use it to our advantage.”
(General Manager – China Air Express).
“Unsurpassed in their ability to maintain very high productivity levels without sacrificing quality outcomes.”
(Supply Chain Director – Bonlac Foods)
“…could not have achieved these business results without you…”
“Very professional and motivating.”
Ithaca Services
Ithaca’s service offerings are summarised below. Critically whatever it is you need, we believe it must be addressed in a holistic manner. All too often we have seen the adverse fallout that results when businesses undertake projects in too restrictive a way – we see it when we’re asked to pick up the pieces…
Don’t make that mistake, get Ithaca in to assess your requirements right at the start – we look forward to hearing from you.
Strategy – Blue Sky Thinking!
Our definition of strategy – having a shared vision; setting goals; planning to achieve them!
Business strategy is vital to all organisations and at Ithaca we take a rigorous approach, working with clients to create a clear direction for their organisation. This provides a map for the future, as well as the route to take now. Benefits of robust business strategy and associated objectives can only be realised through effective implementation. We help clients deliver both.
Ithaca services falling under this category include:
Strategic Review; Organisational Development; Strategic Marketing; Strategic Market Research; Value Chain Design; Solution Integration
Performance – Pathways!
Our definition of performance – achieving your goals; knowing when you are on track; sustaining the achievement!
Strategy without performance is only a dream. Doing the right thing at the right time and place, in the right way and visibly measuring the outcomes will achieve the dream. Success relies heavily on execution. This is challenging in most organisations – Ithaca works to generate consensus by jointly developing, prioritising and facilitating the implementation of action.
Ithaca services falling under this category include:
Process Optimisation; BEYOND Lean Sigma; Sales & Operations Planning; Business Transformation / Turnaround; Supply Chain Operations; Cost Control / Reduction; Profit Improvement; Risk Assessment & Contingency Planning
Enablers – Focus!
Our definition of enablers – identifying supporting resources and tools; sourcing them; implementing them; maintaining them!
Outcomes that consistently meet strategic goals and performance objectives are those that identify and effectively utilise the right set of supporting systems and tools.
Ithaca services falling under this category include:
Position Descriptions; Functional Specifications; Leadership Development; Specialist Recruiting; Management Development; System Sourcing & Selection; Performance Measurement
Structure – Underpins Everything!
Our definition of structure – people & cultural frameworks!
Organisational structure can dramatically help – or hinder – strategic and operational execution or destroy the efficacy of enablers. Ithaca designs and implements structures that work with the culture and the performance imperatives to ensure clients achieve their goals.
Ithaca services falling under this category include:
Organisational Design; Process Design; Process / Systems Integration; Change Leadership; ISO 9000, 14000, 18000; Competency Frameworks; People, Reward & Recognition; Project Management
Please visit our website – www.ithacabusiness.biz – complete our questionnaire, download research papers or case studies or just find out more about what we can do for you.
