Team Building
At Brainard Strategy real team building – the kind that creates lasting behavioral changes that work – requires commitment, training, and practice. Our approach is designed to promote interaction and provide insight into the way in which we as individuals think, communicate, solve problems, and manage conflict. By gaining a better understanding of ourselves and the other members of our team, we can enhance our ability to interact and increase the effectiveness of our communication. The result is increased commitment, positive behavior, improved working relationships, and superior team performance.

Executive Alignment

Executive alignment involves facilitating an understanding and appreciation of team member roles and responsibilities and how these fit into the overall functioning of the organization. When individuals are strategically aligned, their skills and expertise are fully utilized for synergistic results. Brainard Strategy helps clients create alignment across functions, teams, and/or individuals to maximize performance

	J.D. Power and Associates, a division of The McGraw-Hill CompaniesHead of Global Human Resources Executive Team Development, 2010
“While I had not partnered with Brainard Strategy in the past, I had always heard great things about their work.  I contacted Marissa Waldman and she offered some great suggestions about how to position and approach our first executive team off site session.  We agreed to meet with Michael so that we could thoughtfully design the right approach for an effective leadership offsite, including assessment and rapport building, and the actual agenda and objectives.  It was clear that Michael had a wealth of experience in high level, strategic team development work and I had a great deal of confidence when putting him in front of my peers, the executive team.””Michael designed a custom interview that we reviewed in advance of him conducting the interviews with each executive.  The information he was able to glean from each executive was rich and unbelievably candid.  Also from the interviews each executive had a chance to get to know him which generated optimism for the upcoming session.  Michael prepared a comprehensive report from the interview data.  Michael, I and our CEO then discussed the findings in detail and collaborated on the agenda and outcomes for the actual session.””Michael’s approach in the session enabled the team to identify and address core issues, even when uncomfortable.  We had an inclusive dialogue that led to action items that were measurable and value-added.  The team development process changed many of the key leaders’ approach to teaming and leadership.  Michael has a unique ability to quickly build credibility, facilitate executive sessions, and blend theory and street smarts for business relevant solutions.  I appreciate Michael and his firm and they are a trusted partner for us, I would refer him without reservation.”
	Team-Building & Executive AlignmentHR Director, Large Multi-National Bio-Tech Company
“We had a major corporate initiative being driven by one of our teams of Ph. D. scientists. This team is incredibly smart, but less than incredibly appreciative of the importance of teaming and / or the impact of true organizational leadership. It was difficult to get this type of team to be open enough to be willing to learn something about the “soft skills” associated with a high performing team; however, the need to increase team performance was clear to all. When I was referred to Michael, I was impressed by his way of thinking, his experience in life sciences with this type of population, and his credentials.””Michael met with me and the leader of this team who was not yet convinced that “team building” would do any good. Michael reframed his belief about team building to be more of a team development process…”‘Michael dispelled his beliefs about some kumbya session, or ropes courses, etc. Rather, Michael’s approach was based on pre-assessment of the core issues, an agenda built upon inclusive dialogue, and objectives that were measure-able. The team development process changed many of the key leaders’ approach to teaming and leadership. Michael has a unique ability to communicate with highly educated and tough executives, so much so that we now leverage Michael for similar types of work with other groups. It is meaningful to me when a member of the team that we worked with over a year ago refers to something Michael covered with that team. I appreciate Michael and his firm, and they are a trusted partner for us. Michael’s facilitation skills and pragmatism helped many of our teams go from “performing to “high-performance.” Testimonial: “Michael’s unique facilitation skill and communication skills, as well as his adept understanding of group dynamics are an asset for us and we are a challenging environment.”
	Sarah Gunhouse VP of US Sales, Biosite Diagnostics Inc San Diego, California
“We realized that while we were having great business success, in order to continue at our current rate of growth we needed to assist our Regional Sales Directors in the development of certain skill sets. We sought to strengthen their own leadership and management awareness, and then provided them the opportunity to build their own teams in a much more effective manner. Brainard Strategy took our team through a 360 degree assessment and the DISC assessment. These were valuable tools for both our sales management team and our sales representatives, as they helped us to better understand ourselves and lead our teams. Going forward, we were able to link the assessments to our own sales training. This has helped us build stronger leaders and has enhanced our effectiveness with our customers.”

Robert Nascenzi CEO, Claritas Software San Diego, California

“Our business was mature and our brand was strong, but we had been through a couple of mergers and the executive team was a mix of past competitors. Our Teamwork had broken down and the company was under increasing pressure from outside sources. Alignment among the executive team was critical. Michael Brainard provided an effective method to diagnosis the team, which helped me to restructure the team and helped the executives themselves achieve greater alignment across functions. His process centered approach, business acumen, facilitation skills, and pragmatism helped us over the course of 6 months to work better as a team and to renew and gain focus around our Mission, Vision, Values, and core functional strategies.”