He called Centauric with a request:

“Help me decide if this is a good career move and if it is, work with me to make sure I am positioned for success.”

We knew that he would make the best decisions if he had the right data and people he trusted to challenge his thinking.

Centauric assisted this client by:

• Identifying the questions he needed answered and the best possible ways to ask the questions, so that his position was strengthened and not compromised.
• Garnering critical information from members of the Board and hospital leaders. We subsequently met and discussed our interview findings and considered a number of strategic choices that had emerged from our inquiry.
• Reviewing his observations and conclusions.
• Analyzing his assumptions and leaps
  of logic.
• Discussing how he could capitalize on his strengths and compensate for his blind spots.

They asked Centauric to assess the compatibility of the two corporate and regional cultures, as well as identify how best to capitalize on opportunities and minimize risks associated with combining these organizations.

Centauric developed a two-pronged approach to data collection. First, 4000 employees in both banks were invited to complete a comprehensive culture audit questionnaire. We then launched a series of facilitated workshops in both banks to give people a chance to tell their stories, express their hopes and concerns and get involved in shaping the merger.

This approach generated useful data for bank leaders and gave people comfort that the parent organization was willing to listen and was concerned with integrating the banks in a thoughtful and sensitive manner.

Our findings lead to consensus on some issues and a need for further clarification and analysis on others. This began an iterative process of data-driven dialogue that eventually engaged the integration committee, the management committee and leaders throughout the organizations.

They called on Centauric to identify the issues and to recommend ways of improving the situation.

Centauric discouraged them from another anonymous survey, and instead suggested one-on-one interviews with a representative sample of associates and partners. These mettings would better identify a range of perspectives and ideas and enable us to evaluate the emotional state of the associate group.

Using our Data Driven Achievement approach, we met with the sponsoring leaders as soon as patterns started to emerge in our findings. The early discussions were aimed at engaging leaders in interpreting the data and shaping the direction of subsequent interviews. As the study progressed, more leaders were brought into the discussion until a clear set of actions was agreed upon and approved by the Chairman of the firm.

The partner responsible for the program asked Centauric to design a complementary development program to target non-technical skills for these high flyers.

Centauric began by meeting with the participants and asking them what they thought they were missing. We sent them out to meet with senior leaders and experienced account managers to identify success factors. The interviews fueled a dialogue about their strengths and weaknesses and what kind of assistance they needed.

We then designed a year-long program aimed at building self-awareness, refining emotional intelligence, managing personal brand, establishing and maintaining effective networks and enhancing business savvy. Our approach involved data-driven dialogue, on-the-job assignments, individual coaching, group discussions and the engaging of senior partners in providing insights and guidance. We were light on theory and heavy on concrete action and personal feedback.

We develop capabilities, strengthen engagement and align organizational support through our integrated services.

Dr. Tina Beranbaum

Tina specializes in generating solid data and useful metrics for effective decisions. Her skill in helping clients focus on mission critical facts and being clear about their assumptions and intentions has made her a valued addition to a number of senior executive management teams. Tina has demonstrated an ability to communicate behavioral science and human dynamics issues in ways that are understandable to technically oriented people.

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I earned my doctorate in Sociology with a focus on business ethics – researching how people’s previous and current experiences shape their decision-making and behavior when confronted with ethical dilemmas. Over the past 25 years, my career has taken me from a faculty position in the Industrial Relations Program at McGill University to conducting evaluations of large, national government social programs. Currently, I provide advice and assistance to senior executives concerning their impact and the human dynamics of their organizations.

I help clients focus on mission critical facts, engage them in productive dialogue, help them reach robust decisions and determine critical actions. They tell me that my ability to help them understand the complexity of human dynamics against the backdrop of transformation, as well as my focus on their success, has made me a valued and trusted advisor. Recent clients include C-suite executives in one of the world’s leading audit firms, a top U.S. law firm and an international private capital management company.

I earned my doctorate in Industrial / Organizational Psychology with a focus on achievement motivation, person perception and executive assessment. My ability to influence individual, group and organizational dynamics was further developed when I completed extensive postgraduate training at the world famous Gestalt Institute of Cleveland.

I have followed a career path that has included working as a university professor in an MBA program, serving as an in-house consultant for the Government of Canada, managing a national consulting portfolio as a partner with Deloitte and building Centauric, a boutique consultancy that specializes in helping CEO’s, Boards and senior leaders bring out the best in their people and organizations as they confront transformational challenges.

My behavioral science expertise and methods blend with my deep industry experience as I help clients to develop their leadership and functional capabilities, strengthen the engagement of their people and align organizational support. The result is leaders who are better able to focus on priorities and equipped to take actions that will realize business goals and agendas.