What is Performance Improvement Consulting (PIC) ?
PIC is a Richmond-based organizational consulting company led by Dr. Jim Damico, who has worked independently in the field of Performance Improvement for 18 years. The company has a network of specialized, adjunct consultants (e.g., in test and measurements) we collaborate with as desirable/appropriate.

What does PIC do?
PIC has 6 specific services that help the Individual, Team and Organization improve performance.

As a performance improvement consultant, Jim helps top management design high performing organizations that emphasize a culture of focus, execution, collaboration and accountability. As a coach, he assists (potential) leaders in developing behaviors that build relationships, supervise performance and lead change. As a trainer, Dr. Damico helps build trusting and committed teams that regularly engage in necessary conflict. And finally, as a speaker, Jim makes keynote presentations and break-out group facilitations that inspire and educate.

Why must PIC have the freedom to address individual, team and organizational performance, instead of restricting your efforts to one specific problem area?
Our core belief is that individual employee performance, work team productivity and organizational effectiveness are inextricably related with one another. You can only make so much progress in one area before being affected by the influences of the other two.

PIC will accept consulting assignments pertaining specifically to individual, team or company performance. We also need our organizational sponsor's support in allowing us to wear whatever hat is required to insure a high performing culture.

How exactly do you measure performance improvement?
In the case of organizational performance, we measure improvement according to the company's quantifiable, operational goals. PIC ties all performance, training and work environment needs to a standard, so that improvement is related and observable. For example, we improve customer satisfaction ratings after identifying what the customer service representative actually does, and aligning their training and work environment so they do it better. Then we track the improvement in customer surveys.

In the case of coaching an individual, the observable change in performance might be an improvement in key relationships, or key result areas. For team training it might be the accomplishment of a team monetary goal like annual giving, or an improvement in team meetings.

What about bottom line improvements in revenue and profits?
Employee work behaviors and processes do impact the bottom-line. For example, with one of our client's, work process "penalties" ate up 75% of their yearly revenues. Another PIC client projected that 50% reductions in turn-over resulted in millions of dollars in annual savings.

How long does performance improvement take?
That depends on the complexity of the change, as well as the willingness and ability of the organization, team and/or individual. For example, many of today's merged companies from large and diverse cultures are taking years before fully integrating. PIC can usually demonstrate results within months, by identifying what's slowing down the integrating process and helping the leadership to confront it and the work force to adapt to it. We provide an initial assessment of the "change window," at no cost to our clients.

In the case of coaching an individual or training a team, the behavior changes or improved results are usually tied to benchmarks occurring during the 3-6 month coaching relationship or training process.

How do you guarantee results?
PIC only invoices clients who are totally satisfied with measurable performance improvement that has been initially targeted by them and agreed to by us.

What is your fee structure?
PIC has distinct fee structures for private, public and not for profit organizations, which can be pro-rated on an hourly basis as fair and equitable. We will negotiate the most cost effective structure for the client (e.g., retainer fee, project fee, etc.)