Prinicpals

Jeffrey Shuman, Ph.D. combines a deep understanding of the economic forces driving business model change with an entrepreneur's intuitive grasp of collaborative innovation. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Shuman has united practicing business with studying business and political economy, giving him a unique perspective on how organizations must structure and operate to succeed in our globally interdependent world.  

Shuman has co-founded and operated five companies ranging from traditional manufacturing and distribution to developing and marketing computer software and hardware. He has consulted for numerous others, including startups, Global 10 companies, and national economic development agencies. No newcomer to the advantages and challenges of collaboration, he's been building networked business models and presiding over global collaborative supply networks and strategic alliances for many years.

A professor of management and director of the award winning entrepreneurial studies program at Bentley College in Waltham, MA, Jeff is advancing the understanding of entrepreneurial thinking and its application to organizations of all purposes and dimensions. He has also introduced the concepts of collaborative business learned as a practitioner and consultant to the rigors of academia and the challenges of his students.  

Shuman is the author or co-author of five books and innumerable articles that have appeared in academic and trade media. His landmark 1998 book, The Rhythm of Business , explains the how of entrepreneurship and innovation in a unique and highly accessible manner. Published in early 2001, Collaborative Communities, written with Jan Twombly, describes the structure and operations of a collaborative business model focused on the needs of the ultimate consumer. He speaks regularly at both industry and academic conferences about collaborative innovation and growth and mastering the art and science of give and get. Jeff's rich experiences, easy-to-grasp frameworks, and engaging sartorial style make him a hit in both the classroom and the boardroom.

Janice Twombly, CPA developed her passion for the power of collaboration in an uncommon endeavor - advocating entrepreneurship as a means out of poverty for women.   She witnessed first hand the power of give and get thinking to cross chasms and forge innovative relationships with unlikely partners around the globe. Those experiences, combined with her business experiences and study of geopolitics have led her to develop a comprehensive understanding of the role collaboration must play in our globally interdependent economy.

Twombly believes that most organizations are not structured for effective collaboration, nor do their systems and rewards encourage people to engage in a collaborative manner. She uses her background as a certified public accountant to inform our company's frameworks and tools for defining, measuring, and communicating the give and get of collaboration. The result is our robust methodology that enables executives to make better informed decisions and realize the strategic and financial intentions of their collaborations.   

During 25 years in business, Twombly has held several leadership positions - including partner and human resources director in a leading Boston accounting firm and president of a business conference and publishing company. She has board level experience in both commercial and not-for-profit businesses. She has consulted on alliances, relationship management, and collaborative networks for companies ranging from Global 10 to entrepreneurial ventures, as well in the arena of economic development.  

Twombly is the co-author (with Jeff Shuman) of three books, several white papers, and many articles that have appeared in business and trade media. She speaks regularly at both industry and academic conferences about her experiences with collaborative innovation and growth and mastering the art and science of give and get.  

Partners

Nathaniel Welch is the founder and principal of Welch Consulting, focusing on improving organizational performance and effectiveness by leveraging knowledge, networks, and intellectual capital. Welch Consulting helps leaders and organizations achieve new levels of financial and organizational performance for their companies through the use of organizational network analysis, communities of practice, and peer assists.

Nat is a cofounder of the Organizational Network Analysis Practice (ONAPrac), an advisor to the Learning Innovation Laboratory (LILA) at Harvard's Graduate School of Education, and was involved in initial phase of the Network Roundtable at the Darden School at the University of Virginia, where he co-led the Corporate Transformation and Social Networks research group.  

Prior to founding Welch Consulting, Nat was at Viant Corporation, an e-business consulting firm where led Business Development efforts in the Financial Services, High Technology, and Defense sectors. For seventeen years prior to that he led Sales, Marketing and Business Development efforts at two financial services software firms.