MBAGN | In The News > Published Article | PR Received Over The Years PUBLISHED ARTICLE The 2007 January-February issue of Global Business and Organizational Excellence, Vol. 26.2: The On-Demand Virtual Advisory Team: A New Consulting Paradigm? Written by Rob Steir [CEO of MBA GlobalNet]: Abstract: In a Virtual Advisory Program, an executive handpicks a team of outside experts for unbiased input on a strategic decision facing the business. The low-cost service offers rapid, just-in-time access to people who have "been there, done that," and lets the executive see them in action before embarking on a business relationship or full-time hire. With the assistance of a talent integrator/moderator, the CEO of a high-growth company tapped a VAP team with the right industry and functional experience to help him evaluate the pros and cons of entering a new market, and, in the process, overcame his aversion to using consultants. Global Business and Organizational Excellence, Vol. 26.2. Copyright © 2007 by John Wiley & Sons. All rights reserved. Here's an excerpt from the article to be published this January 18, 2007 in the January-February issue of Global Business and Organizational Excellence, Vol. 26.2: The On-Demand Virtual Advisory Team: A New Consulting Paradigm? Written by Rob Steir [CEO of MBA GlobalNet]: "What can the CEO of a small company do when faced with a pressing strategic choice that the leadership team does not have the expertise or experience to evaluate? Or a business-unit head in a large company who needs an expert opinion from an objective source unencumbered by the internal politics? Or an executive in any company who wants to see an expert in action before making a hiring choice or embarking on a long-term consulting relationship? A new program for tapping outside expertise enables a leader to convene a "virtual" team of external advisors "on demand" to help solve a specific business problem. As this article will describe, the CEO of PhotoActif, a young, fast-growing Arizona company, took a virtual team for a "test drive" and came away with solid answers to a critical strategic question and the beginnings of some valuable relationships he can draw on for future expert counsel. The innovative approach has emerged in response to some of the challenges companies face in the high-speed, competitive environment of the global economy. Although still in its infancy, it is already delivering substantial benefits to all participants and could become a new model for consulting service delivery." Copyright © 2007 by John Wiley & Sons. All rights reserved. Volume 26.2 THE PROGRAM: Our client received 19 resumes from interested MBA GlobalNet members who had responded to a request to provide their input/advice. He selected 11 experts. We split the 11 members into two groups: One group consisted of medical-venture focused experts and the second group featured consumer-product marketing experts. We followed the 3-step process outlined below: (1) The Client presents written material that each Expert reads in advance. This information provides perspective and history for the participant, and serves as the foundation. Also included is the issue to be addressed and a presentation of possible solutions, if available. Basically, as much information that can be provided in advance to help create an informed expert on the situation at hand and the current decision factors. (2) A multi-expert moderated conference call with the Client. Usually with 5-7 experts per call. A call lasts 45 minutes to one hour. The moderator takes the group through a series of questions to lead the group to address (and brainstorm) the pros and cons of proposed "fork" solutions. (3) The Client follows up with individual phone conversations with each Expert. These calls explore insights brought out during the group calls. THE RESULTS: "I admit to great skepticism when first talking with Rob Steir of MBA GlobalNet as I had been burned by a few local consultants over the course of various businesses I've started. What attracted me to this program was my ability to quickly access brainpower and experience that I would not be able to find without spending a great deal of time and effort. The idea of sending out an email to a controlled high-quality group of MBAs and then have complete control in who we selected and how we wind up working with them. The concept is phenomenal. The results far exceeded our expectations. Everyone's level of professionalism was first-rate, much higher than your typical consultant out to make a buck who will say anything to get work." -J. Shellman, CEO, PhotoActif