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Janine Sergay
Welcome Message from the President
Whether you are visiting our website because you have a specific problem, you want to enhance
performance, or you just want tips to develop, I am glad you have stopped by.
Navigating through the labyrinth of choices that face us today can be daunting. The need to be
proactive, flexible, and strategically agile adds to the pressure. I hope the respite you gain
while moving through our website will help you gain insights and that you find what you are looking
for.
At The Sergay Group, we love the challenge of guiding companies to implement new strategies, to
achieve new growth, and to improve bottom-line results. There is nothing more satisfying than
enabling individuals, teams, or organizations to face their challenges as they move into the
future.
We believe in the potential of each individual.
We believe in asking the difficult questions.
We believe in building relationships.
The reason we win time and time again is because we
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listen to your needs |
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customize each solution to your specific circumstances |
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work in collaboration with you |
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orientate each intervention within your broader system, and |
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build internal capacity for, and ownership of, all efforts |
In each case, we care about the people we deal with, and we care about the results they
obtain.
Our clients range from Fortune 500 companies, public sector
organizations, non-profit organizations, associations, to small entrepreneurial ventures.
Our Mission
The Sergay Group is a diverse team of solution providers that partners with clients through
consulting, facilitating, training, speaking, and coaching to empower sustainable improvements in
performance and results.
Our Philosophy
The Sergay Group believes in the potential of individuals and will work
for their growth rather than their limitations. We engender ownership by individuals of their own
development and actions, and foster leader and peer mentoring where applicable. When consulting
with strategy and change, the emphasis is on empowering the organization, division, or team to
achieve what is required.
Our Approach
The method adopted by the Sergay Group, is highly flexible and differs for
every intervention and every organization. We do, however, endeavor to ensure highly practical,
impactful, and experiential interventions. Interventions, designed and planned through thorough
organizational consultation. All parties involved must first agree and show commitment to the
proposed process, before any interventions are run. Interventions are often facilitated processes.
This ensures maximum participation and buy-in to the process, and results. Thorough follow-up and
feedback processes, are also implemented.
We work in partnership with you and operate from a systemic frame of
reference. Our processes remain flexible. Discussions are held constantly with the client
organization and variations to the process can be made at any stage to ensure that the needs are
met, even if this means adapting a process while in progress. This approach ensures that
individual, group dynamic and the organization's needs are met.
Our Team
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Prof. Daniel Swartzman, J.D.,
M.P.H.
"Managing a not for profit takes more than just common sense. It takes hard
work, strategic thinking, wisdom, a willingness to make decisions, good skills at
motivating people, and the vision to be a leader of the organization and of the
community it serves."
Expertise:
- Teaches students and professionals how to run organizations effectively,
efficiently and ethically.
- Teaches graduate courses in Principles of Management, Social Ethics and an
introductory course on law.
- Currently writing a textbook on management, based upon "Thirteen Principles
of Good Management" (to be published by Wiley and Sons in 2010).
- Teaching online courses for over a decade.
- A practicing lawyer, a former lobbyist and an experienced political
analyst.
- A decorated teacher, having won numerous university and national
awards.
- Consulting and training expertise based on both "book learning" and
practical experience.
Experience:
Prof. Swatzman has been on the faculty of the University of Illinois at Chicago
since 1978. He has been an administrator at the School for over 20 years. He has
edited three books and monographs, authored over 100 articles, papers and reports,
and given hundreds of lectures on law, management and ethics across the country,
and in the U.K. and France.
Dan has held a number of leadership positions in local, state and national
organizations. He practices law and is currently the managing partner for his law
firm. He received his law degree from Northwestern University and a Masters in
Public Health from UIC. He is Fellow of the Honors College and an Adjunct Professor
at Chicago-Kent College of Law.
As part of The Sergay Group, Dan helps clients with;
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Designing organizational ethics programs |
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Learning basic principles for new managers |
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Leading organizations and communities |
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Managing not for profit organizations |
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Strategic planning for not for profits |
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Understanding the basics of law |
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Analyzing public policy making |
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Lobbying and advocacy |
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Cynthia Rodgers Maignan
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that
we are powerful beyond measure"
(Marianne Williamson)
Expertise:
- Global marketing and business strategy expert who has successfully resolved
a number of business challenges in the USA and in international markets such as
the UK, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico, as well as a joint venture in
Japan.
- Has effectively led strategic initiatives for corporate change for more
than 20 years; identifying new opportunities in emerging and consumer markets
and working with cross-functional teams to facilitate organizational change and
execute the process improvements required to improve performance and increase
profits.
- Frequently selected by CEO's to launch, re-engineer and execute strategic
business initiatives in the areas of strategic planning, system implementation,
merchandising, store development, and private brands.
Experience:
Cynthia's corporate experience has included internet startups
for a Fortune 500 corporation with multiple channels of retail and marketing.
She has a unique backround that includes extensive P and L, strategy and
planning which is complemented by strong competitive market analysis skills,
and to support diversity in customer-centric business initiatives.
She has successfully uncovered millions in hidden revenue for companies,
identifying opportunities in overlooked and under served consumer markets.
Most recently, Cynthia served as a Strategic Retail Consultant for a global
retailer in Brisbane, Australia. Prior to this, she was Vice President Strategy for
Whitehall Jewelers where she provided critical leadership in the Company's
re-engineering effort. She also served as Director of Multicultural Management and
Vice President of Market Analysis for Sears Roebuck & Co and Claire's
Accessories respectively. She has consulted to many other prominent
retailers.
As part of The Sergay Group, Cynthia helps clients;
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Implement strategic plans that deliver results for
multi-generational organizations, that build stronger teams and
delivers on the timely executions required for performance
improvement |
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Identify potential revenue opportunities from existing
sources and recognize new prospects that will enhance the business
both nationally and within the global market place |
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Utilize consumer and analytical data to improve
decisions about marketing, product offerings and geo-demographic
locations |
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Provide project management support and training to
implement process changes and deliver on corporate
initiatives. |
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Lisa Kaplin, Psy. D.
"When we are no longer able to change a situation - we are challenged to change
ourselves."
(Victor Frankl)
Expertise:
- Group dynamics
- Business etiquette
- Interpersonal relationships
- Business communication skills
- Dealing with difficult people and relationships
- Stress management and relaxation techniques
- Systems analysis for relationships (both personal and professional)
Experience:
Lisa has over 15 years of training experience, providing education on topics
ranging from parenting and family functioning, to stress management and dealing
with difficult people.
She utilizes her education in both business and psychology to provide a unique
experience for her clients that combines business sense with emotional
intelligence.
Lisa has provided training for large and small companies including: Kraft,
AT&T, Allstate, AMA, Cigna, Aetna, Lifecare, and Lifeworks.
Lisa's seminars are highly interactive, humorous, and designed to promote
contemplation and change. She is highly skilled at managing difficult situations
and conflicting relationships.
As part of The Sergay Group, Lisa helps clients;
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Observe their own behavior in relation to problems and
solutions |
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Manage stress reactions to improve employee
relationships and productivity |
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Optimize group relationships and efficiency |
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Conduct performance discussions |
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Build effective teams |
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Improve social skills |
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Sharon Cramer, PMP MBA
"Action is the foundational key to all success."
(Pablo Picasso)
Expertise:
- IT Trainer
- Data Analysis
- Programming
- Project Management
- Process Guidance and Coaching
- Business Analysis and Requirements Documentation
- An MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management and a BS degree in
Mathematics and Computers, and certification in Project Management from the
Project Management Institute: PMP 2005
Experience:
Sharon has over twenty years of systems experience and has worked at
several major corporations including IBM, CNA, Amoco Oil, and Allstate Insurance Company. Her roles of
responsibility have included Consultant Programmer, Business Analyst, Quality
Control Coordinator and Project Manager. She has worked with business units
and systems developed both locally and outside of the USA to ensure that projects were kept on track and that all
stakeholders were kept up to date with project progress, issues and
risks. Sharon has also helped develop processes and coached team members to
follow these processes. As a Business Analyst, Sharon has worked with
business units to gather and document requirements to be used by program
developers. She has also enabled countless learners as an IT
instructor. Sharon has the ability to assess needs in different work environments
and make astute recommendations.
As part of The Sergay Group, Sharon helps
clients;
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Assess their needs through audits and analysis |
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Optimize their project management |
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Gather business requirements |
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Enhance their IT skill sets |
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Conduct data analysis |
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Ruth Mastron
"If I am not for myself, then who
will be for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?"
(Rabbi Hillel)
Expertise:
- Intercultural communication (training, coaching, research, consulting)
- Expatriate adaptation (from/to North America/Europe)
- The cultural dimension of mergers and acquisitions
- Expat family issues (partner, children)
- Intercultural teambuilding
- Cultural due diligence
Experience:
Ruth has lived, studied and worked in the USA, UK and France, and has travelled
extensively to over 18 countries. She is bilingual and bicultural in English and
French. She has an MA in Intercultural Relations from Antioch University.
Ruth has over 15 years experience training and coaching clients in the high-tech
and IT areas, as well as industries as diverse as hospitality, manufacturing,
pharmaceuticals, government and agribusiness, French and international schools. She
is a keynote speaker for organizations such as Alliance Francaise (National
Speakers Bureau), the French-American Chamber of Commerce and, Meeting
Professionals International. She has also co-authored several books and specialized
articles.
As part of The Sergay Group, Ruth helps clients;
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Understand their own and their colleagues' cultural
values, norms, motivations and perspectives, and the effects of
these elements on business and social interactions |
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Anticipate and identify cultural matches as well as
points of friction in living, working and communicating across
cultures |
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Develop strategies to bridge cultural gaps in order to
leverage the strengths of cultural differences |
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Cynthia Rogers, MS Ed.
"Training Isn’t Knowledge, It’s ACTION“
Expertise:
- Behavioural Styles Assessments (MBTI, DiSC,
Psycho-Geometrics)
- Compliance (Sexual Harassment Awareness, Diversity
Awareness)
- Consultative Skills
- Leadership (Coaching and Feedback, Interviewing
Skills, Leadership Skills, Performance Management, Team Building)
- Professional Development (Customer Service, Meeting
Management, Time Management, Team Building)
- Training Needs Analysis
- Training Program design, management, planning,
organizing and facilitating
- Trust in the Workplace
Experience:
Results-oriented Learning and Development professional with other 30 years
experience in management consulting and training and development with Fortune 500
corporations, non-profit organizations and consulting firms.
Known for excellent presentation, facilitation and communication skills.
Client base includes organizations from automotive, entertainment, financial
services, food and beverage, healthcare services and real estate industries as well
as educational institutions and local government municipalities.
Certifications in MBTI: Psycho-Geometrics®; TrustWorks!; Development Dimensions
International (DDI) Leadership and Targeted Selection curricula; AchieveGlobal’s
Leadership, Sales and Customer Service Curricula; Situational Leadership.
Adjunct Faculty Member of American Management Association (AMA).
As part of The Sergay Group, Cynthia helps
clients:
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Identify performance gaps and design programs that
improve performance |
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Manage the implementation of training and development
programs |
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Build high performance teams by helping team members
overcome their differences |
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Develop leadership development skills |
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Elizabeth Londo
"“Hope for the best, work for the better.”
- Maya Angelou
Expertise:
Elizabeth Londo has expertise in organizational development and human
resources. In thirty years of professional experience, she has served as a
Director of Organizational Development, Human Resources Manager, executive director
for a non-profit, small business consultant, educator and entrepreneur.
Elizabeth’s diverse background and extensive knowledge has allowed her to assist
clients at all levels, from individuals to small businesses and large international
corporations.
Experience:
Elizabeth has worked for the last 30 years in a variety of settings including
NFP, consulting, needs analysis, executive education, developing customized
solutions to the unique problems faced by the organization. Elizabeth
supports the development of an infrastructure that contributes to a results
oriented culture without creating excessive bureaucratic processes and
systems. She is always striving to find the right amount of structure to
create a foundation for solid growth.
As part of The Sergay Group, Elizabeth helps clients:
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identify their unique problems causing the biggest
obstacles to achieving the results they desire |
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develop a game plan to systematically address
them |
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Mark Tauber
"In managing people, recognize that people don't care how
much you know until they know how much you care."
Expertise:
- Team dynamics
- Interpersonal skills
- Conflict management
- Performance management
- Helping people make the transition to the "next level" in organizations and
life.
Experience:
Mark has 35 years training experience with clients ranging
from non profit associations and organizations, to public traded manufacturing and
service companies.
Work experience includes being vice president at GCG Inc, a financial services
company in the Chicago area, as well as professor of management at The Lake Forest
Graduate School of Management, and a nationally recognized speaker and trainer with
The American Management Association.
As part of The Sergay Group, Mark helps clients;
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Become more knowledgeable and effective in people
skills |
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Improve the effectiveness of individuals and
organizations |
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(Click here for Janine's bio)
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