Profile

Professional summary

Are you being asked to improve employee performance and you lack the staff to make it happen? Do you supervise a training department that is being asked to do a lot more than they know how? Will people lose their jobs if things don't turnaround soon? For over 30 years I have been helping managers determine the root causes for poor performance and facilitating complete turnarounds. I can help you solve your training and performance challenges too!

My name is Jim Hopkins, and I am an Interim Executive / Consultant. I work with both frontline and senior managers to identify all the issues preventing optimal performance in both individuals and entire teams of employees and then apply appropriate solutions that will achieve the desired results.

Engagement overview

In a typical engagement, I begin with a short call to discuss the issues, and determine if we are a match.  The second phase would entail a scoping call that details the project, due dates, pricing and terms of payment.  Upon a verbal agreement, a written proposal will document the scoping call, and a signature engages the process.

Clients

• Family Health Network (FHN)
• Independent Community Bankers of America
• Western Independent Bankers
• American Bankers Association
• Washington Bankers Association
• California Bankers Association
• Bank of Marin
• Bank of America
• Popular Community Bank
• Fremont Investment & Loan
• Presperterian Intercommunity Hospital (PIH)
• SeniorNet Learning Center
• American National Standards Institute
• NetSpeed Learning Solutions

Insights

Your "aging team" is probably where most of your company's skill competencies are residing, and before you encourage retirement, it might make better sense to capture that knowledge before it leaves the building. Succession planning, identifying high potentials and your employee development plans should all be tied together with the assistance of the leadership team. Whether this team is young o... Read more

Assuming you have a performance plan with goals, I would review your accomplishments, and note your challenges. Include a summary of your contributions to the department and organizational goals and how you could see yourself contributing in the coming year. Like Miriam said, keep a focus on your career goals, and if your manager is open to feedback, introduce projects you would like to work on.... Read more

If you are a mid-size bank, you are all not living under a single roof, which makes real collaboration a challenge, but thanks to social learning an easy fit. Just like you are using such an environment to solicit different points of view, an individual can throw out to a larger audience their question or challenge and anyone can answer it.

Asking or not asking questions is not the problem i... Read more

Good onboarding is a process that must be eased into so the new hire is not overwhelmed and has a clear understanding of the priorities. Yet a 4-6 month waiting period to bring someone up to speed seems way too long! I would strongly suggest that the training process is your problem child.

First, let HR run day one with paperwork, and culture introduction. Move the new hire into their work env... Read more

Publications

Is your training a series of pointless events? What do employees say about your training efforts? Do they long for more information, differe... Read more

To remain in a healthy physical body, medical practitioners recommend an annual physical where you are thoroughly looked over, poked and pro... Read more

Testimonials

Jim developed many of the successful training programs we used at all levels.
From the design of programs to class room facilitation, Jim always had the
learner front of mind! Jim's communication style is one of his strongest qualities,
open, honest and direct. It is my hope we can work together again!

Bob Clafford, Senior Vice President Fremont Investment and loan

Jim is the best manager I have ever worked for. He challenged me to take on
new projects and he was always there when I needed him. He is extremely fair and honest to all employees. In addition to keeping our department running
smoothly, he always looked forward to new ways to enhance our training
offerings and in turn improve the bottom line of the company.
Jim is responsible for helping many people move forward in their careers. I
highly recommend him as a manager as well as a friend.

Vickey Walston, AVP Fremont Investment & Loan

Jim is a highly experienced and skilled learning and OD executive who
understands the significance of developing managers to meet today's complex
business requirements. His depth of expertise in developing highly successful
learning environments is widely recognized and respected.

Jerry Walls, Executive Director Anschutz Entertainment Group

Jim is very clear on his learning outcomes and holds his staff and vendors to
high standards. Jim thinks globally and acts locally, ensuring all of the resources
I needed were on hand. He is very easy to work with, returning voice messages
and email promptly.
I enjoy our working relationship and know that I can count on Jim for accurate
information with a constant focus on the bottom-line result.

Nancy Duling, Training Consultant Nancy Duling Consulting

Jim is excellent at determining training needs and positioning best solutions by utilizing internal and external resources. His in-depth knowledge on the subject
of training makes him an incredibly valuable member of any company he is
involved with.
As a leader, consultant and knowledgeable person truly concerned about successful outcomes - you will not find anyone better.

Gary Hill, Western Regional Client Executive Tooling U

Jim has a keen understanding of the role of education and leadership
development in the corporate environment. He established and led the
organizational development efforts at Fremont and was responsible for making
learning one of the core values at the company.
As the CLO, he built and led one of the best Corporate Learning & Development
teams in the banking industry. It was a pleasure to work with Jim.

John Luttrell, Manager, Instructional Design Fremont Investment & Loan

I have worked with Jim Hopkins on a number of occasions and have found his
delivery style and program content to be of excellent quality. I would highly
recommend Jim's service.

Liz Wilson, Executive Vice President Washington Bankers Association

Jim is one of the smartest people I know, and incredibly customer-focused. He
is an amazing marketing mind, but more importantly, he is always looking out for

the needs of his customers and his business partners.
Jim is totally unselfish and gives of himself all the time. He is gracious, incredibly
well organized and always quick to respond to customers and colleagues in
need of his fine analytical mind. I would hire Jim in a heart beat if I could.

Tim Jones, Vice President NetSpeed Learning Solutions

Jim has been a wonderful business partner for NetSpeed Learning Solutions.
He is always responsive, enthusiastic and passionate about our collaborative

projects. Jim is a skilled, conscientious, consultant with the highest integrity. We have relied on his knowledge of the banking industry as we've developed

clients in the financial services arena. He invariably puts the needs of his clients
ahead of his own needs when recommending products and services. We value

his commitment and integrity and highly recommend his services.

Cynthia Clay, President/Founder NetSpeed Learning Solutions