Category Archives: Announcements

For Immediate Release

Summit Consulting Group Purchased by Walt Disney Company

In a surprise move, Alan Weiss’s Summit Consulting Group was purchased by the Walt Disney Company during a clandestine meeting held in Orlando, Florida this past week.

Disney spokesperson Linda Melinda said that the acquisition was in keeping with Disney’s quest to foster communities of ardent followers globally. She announced that Goofy, a veteran Disney actor and senior executive, would be assuming control of the Summit operation, replacing Mr. Weiss.

“We thought that it would make the most sense to have one imaginary character replace another,” announced Ms. Melinda. Bud E. (Buddy) Beagle, speaking on behalf of Summit, stated, “We look at this as one legendary figure taking the place of another.”

A sticking point arose when Mr. Koufax, a veteran performer and senior manager with Summit, became embroiled in a conflict with Pluto, the seemingly ageless Disney character actor. Mr. Koufax called Pluto, “A disgrace to the canine species,” and Mr. Pluto retorted that Mr. Koufax was merely a “pretty boy.” The matter was settled when Mr. Pluto was given exclusive control over canine animation, and Mr. Koufax was granted the right to remake Rin Tin Tin with a poodle love interest. When not in front of the cameras, Mr. Koufax will run all theme park counter-squirrel operations.

Mr. Beagle will retain his current position in the new operation as vice president of risk management and Pupperoni testing, and add to it a security badge as head of the elite force controlling buffet pilfering. He was last seen leading a squad of hounds into the largest of the cafeterias to “smell out the turf,” in his words.

Future technology needs of Summit will be handled by Disney Imagineering, led by Donald Duck, which beat out CB Software in a bid for all future work. CB Software president Chad Barr claimed there was fowl play in the bid procedure. Mr. Duck scoffed at the accusation, calling Mr. Barr “a quack.”

The deal was brokered by Mr. Goofy and Mr. Duck after the former attended a Master Mentor training program last winter which he completed in half the time of other Master Mentors.

Mr. Weiss has not announced definitive plans. He was last seen in the Magic Kingdom, where he was said to be helping Snow White find a hidden passageway in the castle, after having had all seven dwarfs arrested for loitering. Patrons are being diverted from the area.

Left to right: Mr. Weiss, Mr. Duck.

© Alan Weiss 2011. All rights reserved.

I’ve just been asked to join the Advisory Board of the Web of Life Foundation (WOLFoundation: www.wolfoundation.org), and I’ve accepted. The purpose of the organization is below, as are my fellow board members:

WOLFoundation is a non-profit organization aimed at encouraging fresh thinking and clear, accessible, enjoyable writing in the field of conservation and the environment.

We are looking for fresh ideas presented in an accessible, non-technical way. We welcome ideas that take any view on environmental issues—be they for or against any particular debate or point of view. Our requirements are simple:

• we encourage original thinking and discourage the re-hashing of tired ideas

• we look for clear, simple, non-technical writing in the English language

• we welcome any form of writing—essays, fiction short stories or any other form of

prose

Professor Warwick Fox, PhD

Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, University of Central Lancashire, UK

The Hon. Dr Michael Frendo, LLD, LLM, MP

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Parliament of Malta

Professor Randy Malamud, PhD

Professor and Associate Chair, Modern Literature, Ecocriticism and Cultural Studies, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA

David Pilling

Asia Editor, Financial Times, Hong Kong

Dr Astrid Vargas, DVM, PhD

Conservation Biologist. Research Associate, The Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC, USA

I provided the wrong email address last time, apparently:

Needed: an executive presentation coach for two or three middle managers at an Aerospace firm in Torrance, California.  They need help making more compelling presentations when they address boards, other corporate teams, etc.  Will require video-taping as part of the package.

Contact:
Ara Norwood
ara@norwood.com

Phone: 805-657-5536

Please do NOT contact Alan Weiss

I’m speaking for the Institute of Management Consultants on Thursday afternoon as part of a full-day event they are hosting. You can see the link and the write-up of my session below. I’d be happy to see you there.

http://imcne.imcusa.org/2011/02/24/imcne-half-day-symposium-beyond-the-curve/

Evolution or Intelligent Design: The future for outstanding consultants

Alan Weiss has written more consulting books than anyone in history and is known as the “Rock Star of Consulting.” He is one of only two people in history accorded the highest honors of the Institute of Management Consultants—Fellow—and the National Speakers Association—CPAE, Hall of Fame.

His latest books are The Consulting Bible (John Wile & Sons) and Million Dollar Referrals (McGraw-Hill). He has consulted with over 300 major organizations and his speaking appearances, newsletters, blog, and teleconferences reach millions of people globally.

His subject is what to really expect as a solo consultant or boutique firm owner in the years ahead, including:

. The role of thought leadership and what it really is

. Why global impact is a must

. The technology plateau

. The future is in communities and not associations

. The Accelerant Curve for attracting business

. The Market Value Bell Curve for determining prime audience

I’m holding a unique experience in Las Vegas on June 23. I’ll be in the majestic “lofts” at the MGM Grand for an extended visit, and that one day I’m going to host just 11 people for discussions about politics, business, sex, religion, and whatever else it’s so hard to talk to others intelligently about these days.

Breakfast, lunch, and cocktails are included in this bi-level, immense space with 25-foot windows. The fee, of course, is $1100. The value of the discussions is priceless. We have four people thus far, and I’ve only recently announced the experience. To register, write me at Alan@summitconsulting.com or call me at 800/766-7935 (401/884-2778).