Facilitating Business Process Improvement in a Virtual Setting
At Highlands, we have helped dozens of clients improve their business processes through facilitated meetings, in person. With stay-at-home orders, we knew we had to adapt to a fully digital setting. Here are three of our many lessons learned: Choose the platform wisely. There is…
Read MoreTransitioning to FI$Cal Department-Wide
Implementation of the Financial Information System for California (FI$Cal) represents massive change across the entire state. Highlands Consulting is wrapping up the second phase of a FI$Cal transition effort for a large state department. Phase one transitioned administrative staff in the Accounting, Budgets, and Procurement…
Read MoreFinding the (Often Hidden) Benefits of FI$Cal
Nearly all designated State departments have been using FI$Cal for at least a year now. And with such a complex system, it’s been challenging indeed. Many of us at Highlands are continuously evaluating how to help our clients take full advantage of FI$Cal and gain…
Read MoreA Client-Focused Project Management Tool
Coordinating projects can be a challenge, even for seasoned professionals. During an engagement, you have competing deadlines, shifting priorities, client demands to meet, and a project team to coordinate. So how do you keep track of all that? You find a tool that works for…
Read MoreFI$Cal: A Non-IT Project?
The Financial Information System for California, known as FI$Cal, is setting records for state IT project expenditures. But from the perspective of departments transitioning to this new technology, it’s not an IT project in the traditional sense. For these departments, success depends upon their ability…
Read MoreChange Networks
A network, by definition, is a group or system of interconnected people or things. In a Change Management setting, we often times create a people-based network to introduce business change to the organization. Change Networks provide many benefits, one of which is to increase adoption…
Read MoreSaying More with Less
“I would have written a shorter letter, but I did not have the time.” – Mark Twain When it comes to good writing, less is more. But, tightening your writing is harder than it looks. Which words should you omit? How can you write more…
Read MoreACMP NorCal Change Symposium
A powerful energy flowed through the conference room in San Mateo, where approximately 100 change management professionals and 10 presenters gathered for the ACMP Northern California Chapter’s Change Symposium. It was a fun and eventful day, filled with engaging presentations and delightful conversations. We even…
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