Jim Coulson and Susan Chapdelaine recently announced the formation of CCIM Consulting, which will provide consulting services in information and records management. The two are former managing directors at Huron Consulting Group. The new firm will be based in Providence and Boston. Chapdelaine recently spoke to PBN about why she felt it was a good time to start this venture with Coulson and the need for their services.
PBN: You and Jim Coulson have started CCIM Consulting. You say the firm will provide a fresh approach to consulting services in information and records management. What exactly do you mean by that?
CHAPDELAINE: Over the past few years we have seen many companies take important steps to implement information management programs. These programs typically include information governance policies along with a sizable investment in technology to support the management of electronic information throughout the organization, including those stored on email systems, instant messages, networked file servers, legacy computer systems and on social media sites. Unfortunately, many of these well-intentioned efforts have failed largely because of the burden that is placed on users in business operations, which, faced with intense pressure to increase productivity and “do more with less” resist or ignore anything that is perceived as not adding value to their work, regardless of management directive or training provided.
Our approach challenges traditional enterprise top down information governance strategies by focusing on the use of information within core business process. Through an analysis of the activities within a business processes we are able to identify key information sources used to support the work of the team as well as to meet the firm’s compliance obligations and are able to demonstrate the benefits of improved information management practices. This allows us to make adjustments to business processes, integrating information governance requirements in a way that an individual’s work will not be unduly burdened.
The results allow an organization to improve efficiency and lower cost through better access to information while also reducing legal and regulatory risks in a defensible manner.
Rhode Island's Market Has Changed. Developers, Builders, Investors and Sellers Must Change With It.
By Emilio DiSpirito IV License Partner | Engel & Völkers Oceanside Leader | The DiSpirito…
Learn More
PBN: Why do companies need to know about your service?
CHAPDELAINE: Companies today are dealing with an ever-expanding volume of information, the cost of which is also growing exponentially. In addition, all organizations are facing increased regulatory record keeping obligations and legal risks. Fines and sanctions levied against organizations for mishandling of information have increased both in frequency and severity as the courts and regulators become more knowledgeable in this area and less tolerant of companies that do not take appropriate measures to manage and safeguard their information.
Many organizations try to address these issues internally, but seldom have the resources or expertise to be successful.
Effective information management requires collaboration between an organizations’ legal and compliance professionals, information technology and business operations. We provide the leadership and direction necessary to bring these, often-disparate groups together. We also provide the framework for developing a practical information management program that aligns the required governance and technology with business processes in a way that an individual’s work will not be unduly burdened. The result is greater user adoption, improved efficiency through better access to the right information, and reduced management and storage cost.
I would summarize the key drivers for companies who need to know about our services as follows:
PBN: Starting a business in this current economy is risky. Why did you decide to take the plunge?
CHAPDELAINE: Yes, it is a risky time to start a business, but the need for our services has never been greater. And, I should point out, we have done this before. Back in the early 90’s Jim Coulson recruited me to join his new consulting firm, Records Improvement Institute, which was later acquired by Huron Consulting Group.
Back then we dealt primarily with paper-based records. eDiscovery was new and relatively untested, and the regulatory environment in most industries was light and manageable. Today’s record-keeping environment has changed dramatically. Most business records are now in electronic form, presenting new and more complicated management challenges. Today eDiscovery is part of every major lawsuit and investigation representing the largest single cost in litigation management. Additionally, record-keeping requirements promulgated by regulators have become more extensive and complex, affecting virtually every organization regardless of industry sector.
The need in this area is expanding, and the market remains underserved. Jim and I feel that as a small independent business, we are best positioned to meet today’s information management challenges and the customized needs of our clients and provide addition services in a cost effective manner.
PBN: How will your background in library information science help this new venture?
CHAPDELAINE: My library and information science background has been invaluable to me throughout my career and will continue to be in our new venture. Understanding the value of information, organizing it in a meaningful way and making it accessible to those who need it are fundamental elements of the library and information science discipline that I put into practice everyday.
PBN: Why did you decide to partner with Jim Coulson?
CHAPDELAINE: Jim is an internationally recognized expert in the records and information management industry and a long time colleague of mine. We have worked together for almost 20 years and have proven that we are an effective team. Together we have worked to refine our process-based approach to records and information management and are excited about building our new venture.
For more information please visit our Website: http://www.ccimconsulting.com, or contact us directly:
Jim Coulson
jcoulson@ccimconsulting.com
Susan Chapdelaine
schapdelaine@ccimconsulting.com