Strategic Purpose and Philosophy - the full back story

Colla Voce Consulting

Colla Voce Consulting with the tag line: 'Sparked by curiosity, shaped by experience', derives from an Italian term often used in music instructing a collaborative artist (accompanist) or conductor to listen carefully, elevate the soloist's voice and give it space to resonate with the audience. Typically used to accentuate a pivotal moment in the music, and often combined with a cadenza, it gives the soloist licence to improvise and take musical risks, whilst retaining the attentive support of the ensemble behind them to keep the required momentum and ryhthm. 

In an environment where consultants can be tempted to assume the role of headline performer, Stuart knows, through decades of corporate advisory experience, the value of actively listening to clients to understand their objectives, values and stakeholder expectations. He also recognises the benefit of elevating the often quiet, insightful voices in complex, pressured situations - an approach that invariably helps forge the most sound and innovative solutions.

Have you ever been in an important meeting, where your voice seems silent or lost in the shadows?  It's incumbent on advisers and executive leaders to seek out, elevate and respect those insightful (and sometimes quiet) voices, to add depth and integrity to the debate, and encourage balanced collaboration. 

'Colla Voce' is a great reminder for so many aspects of life, but in business consulting terms, it could be read as: "Listen carefully, because your client wants to implement some innovative strategies to elevate its position in the market, and needs your considered support, experience and guidance".

Rondo Advisory

The parent company, Rondo Advisory, references a well-known musical structure typified by regular reversions to the core theme, each time growing in sophistication and leveraging the musical ideas explored in between each theme.

This translates nicely to corporate strategy - where innovative expansion or investment in adjacencies can enhance the company's core market position and accelerate growth potential. It emphasies the discipline of re-centring the business to its core drivers, consolidating the value of innovation, and avoiding the pitfalls of strategic drift.

It's like the original composers of Rondo's seemed to embrace and understand Design Thinking and the value of the feedback loop well ahead of their time. 

These business names bring together Stuart's dual passions for music and building trusted relationships with clients, and serve as a reminder of what's required to be an effective business adviser. Follow the link for more reflections on the parallels between music and strategy.