“Kirk was hired to be a coach to our CEO, to the executive team…and really for all our company. He has a knack for seeing company patterns that get them tripped up on their own successes. Knowing Kirk for years, he has the highest integrity and possesses a unique balance of emotional intelligence, strategic foresight, and detail-orientation.”
“Kirk is like the “company whisperer”. He interviewed me, our executive team, and many of our managers and directors, and quickly synthesized a key area we were underinvesting in. I was impressed to see him find a blindspot this quickly, and it became a rallying cry for our company. He definitely understands the key challenges you will face as you scale. I was so impressed with Kirk’s work that I asked him to join our Board of Advisors, which I’m glad he accepted.”
“With growth in our company, we realized we needed a change in our management and organizational capabilities to reach the next level of success. We contacted Kirk Dando with Dando Advisors to assist us in evaluating the strategy we needed to pursue to reach the next plateau.
Kirk’s open, approachable style made it comfortable for our employees to relate to him during the evaluation process. The results of this process allowed us to take positive steps to implement the changes necessary for our future growth and success. Kirk has helped us to remain focused on the proper course of action and to make sure that implementation is occurring. He has been persistent in following-up and in holding us accountable for the things we agreed to accomplish. Kirk’s coaching has had a tremendously positive impact on every aspect of our business.
I can, without hesitation, recommend Dando Advisors, and I look forward to a long-term relationship with Kirk Dando.”
Neel White
CEO, White Construction
“A born skeptic, particularly of ‘management consultants,’ I have had to set my skepticism aside with respect to Kirk Dando and Dando Advisors.
As an architectural firm in the throes of expanding from 50 to 75 people during 1999, one of my partners and I attended one of Kirk’s professional seminars essentially to earn some required continuing education credits. Kirk captured our interest. Figuring that we had little to lose, we began by buying a few hours of his time. That decision has subsequently become one of the smartest that we have made.
Completely unlike most consultants, it is Kirk that you get, and it is his ear and his insightfulness that you want. Without pretense or textbook processes, he very simply studies his clients inside and out and inevitably makes the distinction between how they say they do business and how they are really doing business. He has the very unique ability to see the difference between a firm’s stated organization and its real organization. It almost always comes down to understanding the sometimes-complex personal chemistries that interact within each firm.
For any company seeking to continue developing over time, that is precisely the skill required in a management consultant. In the end it’s not nearly as much rocket science as it is psychology. Kirk is the only one I’ve seen pulls it off. He continues to be an advisor we rely on.”
Jim Susman
Principal, Susman Tisdale Gayle
“In a young venture’s rush to achieve success the focus is often, understandably, exclusively on funding. However, perhaps the most important capital for a maturing company is not cash, but having seasoned executives who know how to quickly scale a business and survive the inevitable chaos. Unfortunately, in this day and age, proven executives are a scarce and valuable asset, hard to find and expensive when you do find them. Until now…
I cannot tell you how many times I have conversations with (semi-retired) executives who enjoy the experience of assisting organizations with their growth but are no longer interested in a full time position. They may be doing some light consulting, but often find themselves either getting consumed by a particular company or are not able to achieve the desired results. The conclusion is consulting is a different skill set than being a full time CEO, President, VP, etc.
Dando Advisors and its founder, Kirk Dando, provide a truly unique offering. A no nonsense group of proven executives who have cracked the code on how to assist and support organizations wanting to mature to their highest level of performance. They differentiate themselves by making sure their clients are focused on the ‘right things’ and implementation is occurring. Their strategy is simple, but it has achieved profound results. If you want help and not hype, check these guys out.
It is my privilege to serve on Dando Advisors Board.”
Lawrence A. Waks
Partner, Jackson Walker. L.L.P.
“I’ve worked closely with Kirk Dando since July of 1999, and it’s been a wild ride!! After growing to three units over a five-year period of time, we’re poised in calendar 2001 to grow by three additional units in three new cities – all of which will be built from the ground up. And we’re up to challenge!
Kirk has been amazingly perceptive in fully grasping the essence of the Central Market brand – great people presenting great products. More importantly he recognizes the enormous complexity involved in maintaining our brand integrity and the dire consequences associated with any drift toward mediocrity. It is refreshing to find a bean counter that can take off the eyeshades and appreciate retailing as an ‘art’ not a science.
If you’re looking for quick fixes, don’t call Kirk. And if you’re looking for somebody to humor you, for sure don’t call Kirk. If you’re willing to tackle root cause and can get past the shock of discovering YOU ARE THE ROOT CAUSE, then Kirk IS your man! It was a rude awakening for me to realize that while it takes the single-mindedness and zeal of an entrepreneur to develop a successful concept, it takes leadership to develop a successful company. And entrepreneurs aren’t always accomplished leaders. The good news is Kirk has a knack for coaching, coaxing, and cajoling entrepreneurs until we finally GET IT!
Although I can safely say I’ve never seen Kirk fail to present an invoice or deposit your check in the bank, I will assure you that Kirk won’t take on a client that isn’t willing to work. It is just that simple. His gratification comes from making a difference. And that is a whole lot more than just making a living.
Kirk is smart and he has principles. If you’re successful today, but know you haven’t yet achieved that breakthrough that takes your operation to the next level, trust Kirk to roll up his sleeves and work right along with you to shore up the foundation and posture you to be in control of your future. You owe it to yourself and to the folks who are part of your organization to hit your stride.”
John M. Campbell, III
Vice President, H-E-B Central Market
“We first began working with Kirk Dando at Dando Advisors in July of 1997. His coaching has had a tremendous positive impact on every aspect of our Company operations.
Change is very painful; Kirk has helped us to prioritize so that the disruption has been minimal while the positive impacts have been remarkable.
Other Consultants have helped to initiate change and then disappeared. One of the things I have appreciated most about our relationship has been his consistent follow-up. Kirk holds us accountable and we are a much better Company because of his guidance.
I would recommend his services to anyone who is ready to take their Company to the next level.”
Rocky Turner
Founder/President, LPR
“They helped me be more productive in my interactions with our board, helped us develop a strategic plan that replaced our outdated original business plan and facilitated organizational and financial changes that improved every financial indicator within 6 months.”
Royce Glader
Founder & CEO, Merit
“Kirk helps us identify and prepare for critical inflection points in the growth and development of our business. Last year, for example, Kirk’s advice helped us remain profitable despite a 50% sales decline in the second half. Kirk’s broad and practical experience with evolving organizations adds tremendous value to our strategic planning process.”
Tim Self
President, Applied Mechanical
“Growth and success often mask issues that rob an organization of it’s maximum potential. When we found that our morale was slipping and that our structure was ineffective, we turned to Kirk Dando for a diagnosis. Kirk interacted with our team at every level with his superior relational and intuitive skills. He decoded the various complexities that we failed to address as we grew.
Our governing body (elder board) is made up of people who have been successful in business, management, education and the high tech industry. Kirk was able to relate to this diverse group on a professional level, while remaining sensitive to the unique character of our church and the challenges we face. His straightforward honesty and clear thinking was universally embraced by the whole board. Our staff team also accepted the new direction Kirk recommended and set out with a renewed energy that exists still.
Our bottom line: Kirk accomplished what we hired him to do – effect real change. And, I personally had a great time working with Kirk. My experience tells me you will too.”
Tim Hawks
Senior Pastor, Hill Country Bible Church
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