Corporations and government agencies retain CCA to prepare teams for critically important communication events where much is at stake. In those situations we provide strategic counsel and conduct issue-oriented communication labs to ready teams for high-stakes events — contentious community meetings, regulatory and legislative briefings or hearings, the pursuit of large government contracts, litigation, and media interactions.

We could, but we won't be able to deliver the results needed to prepare your team for a high-stakes situation. The CCA approach optimizes time, with 80% of a session devoted to coaching and performance and 20% devoted to learning new concepts. While off camera, participants are hammering out strategies and responses to address issues, and learning new skills. This "total immersion" approach produces dramatically positive results -- results which spring from a high level of personal attention and individualized professional coaching while working in small groups (1:4).

From 1 to 20 — the average group size is 12 conducted by 3 consultants.

Quite frequently. This work often involves a CEO or other senior officer, a key witnesses, a spokesperson, or any individual who feels uncomfortable addressing issues in front of colleagues.

Yes, in some situations. Shorter labs require a lower participant-to-consultant ratio. For example, a 2.0-day lab requires a 1:2 ratio. The 3.0-day lab produces better results because it provides more issue-based coaching and “soak-in time” at the end of each day to help lock in new skills. It’s like learning how to fly a plane. To become a pilot you must finish ground school, and of equal importance, you must log hours actually flying the plane. CCA labs are constructed the same way. Short sessions simply provide an awareness of ways to handle high-stakes situations. Full sessions equip your team with the skills and answers needed to succeed under fire by providing ample “flight time.”

For several reasons. In-depth research by our team helps ensure that hidden issues won't pop up in the future to bite you, because they will have been addressed first in our lab. In addition, lab participants almost instantly engage in the learning process once they realize we know their issues as well or better than they do. A solid knowledge of your issues helps make certain that CCA's strategic counsel and coaching are on target and meet your goals.

Just the opposite is true. Because the system is very flexible, and straightforward, it adapts to an individual's style and geographic culture. The main consistency a decision-maker or stakeholder will see in a CCA graduate is a direct and very honest approach to tough questions, and solid proof for each claim made in answers. In fact, many of our graduates have been complimented by legislators, commissioners and members of Congressional Committee and other regulatory bodies for their “refreshing honesty and substance provided in answers.”

The short answer is we will build a session for you. Also, utilizing CCA’s lab on Managing and Communicating Controversy may also be a good solution. The lab accommodates a variety of communication environments — media, legislative and regulatory briefings or hearings, presentations — and a wide spectrum of issues. This allows you to accomplish several objectives at once and gives all attendees an understanding of how to address a large number of issues facing your organization.

All consultants have dealt with high-stakes situations involving the pursuit of megaopportunties or handling controversy. Our founder directed environmental communication for a large California-based electric utility during the 70s, and since founding CCA has spent 35 additional years preparing clients to succeed in high risk situations. Our president was an issues coach and speech writer for 14 years before joining CCA. A senior executive consultant is a 16-year veteran of radio and television news. Other consultants have extensive backgrounds in management and government communication, executive communication coaching, and leadership counseling for CEOs.