References

Ted Chen, Director of Innovation and Learning, W.K. Kellogg Foundation

“I had the opportunity to hire Jim as a consultant for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Jim's expertise in strategy and facilitation brought high value and helped produce great results. Specifically, when I led a team that was charged with helping the Foundation develop possible new grantmaking strategies to benefit vulnerable children birth to age eight, Jim's knowledge of strategy and his facilitation skills were keys to drawing the best ideas out of my team. With his guidance and steady hand, the team was able to generate new, creative ideas and produce deliverables that were both on time and well received. I would recommend Jim for a position or project that requires strategic thinking, creative problem-solving, and great facilitation.”

Tony Berkley, Deputy Director for Education & Learning, W.K. Kellogg Foundation

“Jim worked with me on an ongoing basis in a design project to create a new system of workforce development. In a highly competitive atmosphere of top consulting talent Jim distinguished himself as one of the strongest contributors. He sees the big picture and brings a craftsman's feel for method and detail to his work. I highly recommend Jim Combs in the fields of strategy consulting, group facilitation, and design and innovation.”

Masako Sho, Consultant, Business and Design Strategy

“I partnered with Jim on a strategy project for a client he had a previous relationship with. From the beginning of the project, it was very clear that the senior leadership of the client organization had tremendous trust and respect for Jim’s ability to bring new perspectives based on his solid understanding of the client’s business. He was also valued for his ability to challenge the status quo and push the client team to uncomfortable but necessary new directions. His trusted relationship with the client and insights into the organizational culture and history guided us successfully through this strategic project. Jim is an excellent business partner to work with. He is always open to new ideas and enabled me to explore new approaches while providing guidance to maintain the overall direction of our strategy. He is also flexible as a project lead allowing me to contribute remotely within my limited availability and clearly identifying the areas where I can add the most value. I am looking forward to the next opportunity to work with Jim on an interesting project!”

Peter Hopkins, Director, Global Reservation Sales & Customer Care, Marriott International

“Jim was a quick learner of our business and was able to conceptualize how various alternative solutions might benefit our work process. He provides a professional demeanor and a personable interactive style that is the right mix. The quality of his draft and final work product was always excellent and well presented. Jim will impress you!”

Ken Kellogg, Director, User Research, Marriott International

"Jim was an approved vendor when I started at Marriott and, within my first 90 days, he completed two research projects for us. I found him to be great qualitative researcher who really understands how a particular project fits into the greater scheme. He is personable as well as technically knowledgeable. My recommendation is this - I will use Jim and his expertise again."

Michael Halicki, Director of Communications and Public Policy, The Clean Air Campaign

“Jim is an insightful, strategic thinker. Some consultants tell you what you want to hear. Jim tells it like it is. I would work with Jim again in a heartbeat. He is a man of vision, creativity and integrity. His insights transcended the project we were working on and offered fresh thinking to my view of the organization as a whole. Thanks for being Jim, Jim!”

Michael Boomershine, E-Business Marketing Manager, Pioneer, a DuPont Company

“Envision a point on the horizon and craft a strategy to reach it. Make the roadblocks and potholes visible. Figure out who you need on the team to make the journey. Do it all with integrity, credibility and creativity. That's Jim.”

Sean Freeman, Senior Manager, Advanced Programs, Harris Corp

“Jim and his team helped our organization develop human interface concepts for a new information system for a government customer. The novel development approach they brought to bear was extremely useful and helped optimize our product offering. Jim's personal interaction skills and easy to work with style were very effective.”

Ken Lawler, Business Unit Executive, IBM Global Services (colleague)

“Jim was one of the best project executives / producers I hired at IBM. I trusted him to manage the delivery of services to my best account. The client was delighted and so was I.”

Dean McRobie, Director, Sapient (colleague)

“Jim is one of those unique people who can blend together creative, customer, technical, and business needs into a cohesive set of strategy and tactics. His easy to work with demeanor and ability to communicate at all levels helps him quickly create a real sense of shared accountability on a team. Jim taught me how best to balance the teeter toter of scope, time and money on a creative project. Something I thank him for almost every day.”

Jamie Anderson, Director, User Experience, Sapient (colleague)

“In large companies with multiple clients, talented people (like Sapient) it is easy to be lost in the fray. Jim always stood out. He stood out as a leader of teams, an adept listener and a catalyst of creative thought. Many of us who have grown up in the new digital landscape are not one thing - like in advertising - a copywriter or an account guy or a strategist. Often we in digital have multiple skills - creative with a strategic bent or an account guy who knows technology. The danger is a combination of generalist skills. Jim is dangerous. He has both the demeanor of the generalist - the experienced manager, the guy who has delivered all sorts of products and experiences. But he is also the sharp edge of a creative mind - always looking for a better way, a more compelling way or simply the best way. I would work with him any day.”

Don Brazil, Director Program Management, Sapient (colleague)

“Jim has a strong ability to deal with ambiguity while leading the clent and team through change. He is a champion of customer focused design and delivery excellence. He is highly-collaborative and solution focused. He maintains a broad base of business knowledge. I would welcome an opportunity work with him again.”

Deaton Bednar, Director Learning Solutions, Sapient (colleague)

“Jim is dedicated to a goal, passionate about reaching that goal and has an excellent ability to blend creativity with technology expertise. He also adds fun to the work with his great personality.”

Shuli Goodman, Director Information Architecture, Sapient (colleague)

“Jim is a delight to work with. I would describe Jim as a renaissance person. I mean this as a very high compliment in that he is skillful at so many things - whether strategy, design, people or music - his interests are expansive. He has a cultural sensitivity which makes him very successful in diverse environments. I have watched Jim lead a large group of people, across multiple time-zones, with many disciplines and towards a common goal, while doing their best work. I really appreciated working with him and am very satisfied with the work we produced.”

Lori McDaniel, Senior Information Architect, Sapient (colleague)

“I am really grateful for the working relationship I had with Jim. Beginning at IBM and continuing at Sapient, his maturity and management skills allowed me to maximize my creative energy and produce work high quality work that helped operationalize strategy through design.”

Bill Fox, President, WDS Productions (colleague)

“Jim and I have performed together on numerous occasions including five Different Skies Music Festivals (2004-2008). I have also seen him perform at other music festivals including City Skies 08, electro-music 2005, and electro-music 2008. He is one of the most accomplished players with whom I've had the pleasure to share a stage. From controlling sequencers in real time, playing synthesizers, melodica, and various percussives, Jim then stretches out with all manner of production, including real-time updates of the Different Skies website and the creation and operation of the City Skies monthly concert series in Decatur, Georgia, which includes an annual three day festival. As a group and solo artist, his albums have been well received globally. I have played his music on two different programs at both radio stations where I host shows. His work enjoys repeated airings on both of my programs and on several other high profile shows of the same nature. Jim is one of the hardest working people in the world of electronic music and is among the nicest people you'd ever want to meet. I wholeheartedly recommend Jim for any production team or musical event.”