Diverse leadership is crucial. According to a Forbes article, it introduces varied perspectives, heightened awareness, stronger client-customer relationships, and broader opportunities.
In the business consulting industry, the combined experiences of Harold Goldstein and Lilo Alfaro, the driving forces behind OPAD Consulting, exemplify collaborative business leadership. Harold’s roots trace back to immigrant parents in NYC, while Lilo comes from a military family. Their lives, though different, converge in their shared passion for creative strategizing and problem solving – especially as it relates to helping businesses and people grow.
The business world has consistently emphasized the importance of collaboration. Recent studies stress this belief, with 81% of employees attributing their enhanced productivity to effective teamwork and 75% asserting that cooperation is crucial for success. Collaboration isn’t just about assembling a group; it’s about bringing together the right blend of expertise and passion.
This principle is exemplified when one looks at OPAD Consulting due to Harold and Lilo’s diverse leadership.
Harold has insight into how organizations work due to prior key roles at big companies like Levi Strauss, J&J, and Lam Research. He earned degrees in Business Administration, Finance, and Industrial Psychology, laying a solid foundation for his corporate experience and work in organizational change.
Early in her career, Lilo worked as a consultant for The Kroger Company within her MBA program and as a stage manager through the Actors’ Equity Association. Her background includes work with the founder of Portland’s Black Panther Party chapter to produce legacy educational events and materials for the community. Additionally, she has experience producing trade shows and volunteering at national nonprofits, showcasing a well-rounded and impactful professional journey. These experiences help her see business challenges in a different light.
Together, they have solved many complex issues. A noteworthy example, a national Silicon Valley-based company successfully navigated an internal culture transformation, establishing a new mission, values, and vision under the guidance of Lilo and Harold. The company acquired a small-sized enterprise, a technologically advanced firm in the Bay Area.
This collaboration aimed to enhance the larger company’s services and internal technologies while providing increased funding for the smaller company’s core business expansion.
OPAD, entrusted with ensuring a smooth transition, led workshops and group sessions, facilitating the newly acquired company and its executives. Together, Lilo and Harold’s collective leadership strategies fostered discussions on cultural similarities and differences and provided opportunities for valued input. This led to the new entity’s swift adoption of the parent company’s core values.
Fast forward two years, the parent company, now a consistent client of OPAD, reports sustained high morale and a strong rapport with the acquisition. Much of this success is attributed to the groundwork laid by Harold and Lilo during the integration process.
In the business world, the role of experienced consultants becomes increasingly pivotal to navigating challenges with a nuanced understanding of diverse organizational structures and cultures. Here, Harold and Lilo’s combined wisdom shines, simplifying complexities for progress.
As the business landscape evolves, the need for strategic leadership becomes even more pronounced. The success of OPAD Consulting serves as a reminder to value diverse leadership in ensuring business success, as in a saturated consulting market, only unique and tailored approaches stand out.
