New Cicero® Insights
Community foundations have a century-long history and a special place in most big cities. In fact, more than 750 community foundations exist in the U.S. To keep pace with an ever-changing landscape, many community foundations are currently rethinking their strategies and pivoting for success.
THREE STRATEGIES TO RECESSION-PROOF
YOUR UNIVERSITY
The last time the US was hit by a recession, the outcome for higher education was not pretty. Though many institutions were eventually awash in record-breaking levels of enrollment, many colleges and universities—mired in unanticipated slashes to state appropriations, endowment revenue, and donation streams—were forced to deploy extreme stopgap measures to simply stay afloat.
MAJOR RETAILERS
FORAY INTO HEALTHCARE
Continued growth in US healthcare spending has attracted the interest of retailers looking to diversify revenue streams as in-store shopping wanes. Major retailers such as Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, Amazon, and Best Buy are leveraging their value, convenience, and brand equity to develop healthcare business models and offer consumers additional care access and choice.
Ten Strategies for Community Foundations
Community foundations have a century-long history and a special place in most big cities. In fact, more than 750 community foundations exist in the U.S. To keep pace with an ever-changing landscape, many community foundations are currently rethinking their strategies and pivoting for success.
THREE STRATEGIES TO RECESSION-PROOF
YOUR UNIVERSITY
The last time the US was hit by a recession, the outcome for higher education was not pretty. Though many institutions were eventually awash in record-breaking levels of enrollment, many colleges and universities—mired in unanticipated slashes to state appropriations, endowment revenue, and donation streams—were forced to deploy extreme stopgap measures to simply stay afloat.
MAJOR RETAILERS
FORAY INTO HEALTHCARE
Continued growth in US healthcare spending has attracted the interest of retailers looking to diversify revenue streams as in-store shopping wanes. Major retailers such as Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, Amazon, and Best Buy are leveraging their value, convenience, and brand equity to develop healthcare business models and offer consumers additional care access and choice.
Ten Strategies for Community Foundations
Community foundations have a century-long history and a special place in most big cities. In fact, more than 750 community foundations exist in the U.S. To keep pace with an ever-changing landscape, many community foundations are currently rethinking their strategies and pivoting for success.
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EXCEPTIONAL RESULTS
Global HR Consulting Co.
$50MM Sales Revenue Increase
The HR giant reached out to Cicero Group to better understand the impact of years-of-service award programs on employee outcomes such as tenure, engagement, and performance.
American Molecular Diagnostics Company
30% YOY Increase in Revenue Growth
The company was facing increased competition for its core product due to changes in the market and needed to identify how to stay ahead of its competition with more direct competition on its core product.
Multi-National Technology Firm
10% Sales Close Rate Increase
Through an extensive research process involving telephone surveys, online studies, in-depth client interviews, focus groups, sales team meetings, and secondary research amalgamation, Cicero developed a customized sales training program for the client’s sales executives.
How to Measure Success When Helping the Chronically Homeless
When success is clearly defined as progress toward improved human dignity, then increased emphasis is placed on efforts that blend mental and behavioral care with nurturing expectations surrounding a person’s capacity
Realizing Transformation
Cicero guides clients on a cross-functional effort to change their financial, operational and strategic trajectory, putting the company on a trajectory toward sustained value creation.
Operational Excellence
Cicero helps clients transform operations by taking a holistic view that connects operations to strategy, transcends silos, and focuses on the opportunities that will create the greatest value.
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World-Class Clients
INDUSTRIES
Process Improvement
Consumer Services
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Process Improvement
When a company’s product is its service, each action in the organizational process and individual involved has an opportunity to make or break the end service product. Cicero Group analyzes efficiency and performance from multiple angles to strategically improve processes to be more cost-effective for the company and more impactful for the consumer. Our methods include measuring employee engagement levels and incentive drivers, enacting leadership initiatives that improve employee retention and commitment, and collecting data on process steps to determine efficiency and areas of opportunity. Cicero Group leverages this data to construct an optimal organizational process that eliminates inefficiencies and amplifies employee and company strengths to improve the service product.
Service Delivery Optimization
Consumer Services
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Service Delivery Optimization
A company that knows its customers’ expectations can use each transaction and engagement point to reinvest the consumer in the value of service offerings. Cicero Group helps consumer services companies develop methods to meaningfully engage customers by exceeding expectations in each interaction. This is accomplished by analyzing data collected in quantitative studies to determine customer service levels, using choice-based conjoint methodology that reveal drivers of consideration, and conducting qualitative interviews that discern the subtle, yet important details customers value most.
Innovative Service Techniques
Consumer Services
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Innovative Service Techniques
One of the most important traits shared by industry leaders is thinking outside the box to offer innovative service techniques. Cicero Group applies its experience in predictive analysis, customer segmentation, and consumer behavior analysis to the technologies and applications that best fit a company and its customers. A data-driven approach to services can cut costs, strengthen brand loyalty, and increase revenues, whether the end result is a service portal that delivers a convenient customer experience with personalized, dynamic content or an employee-facing training program that innovates upselling and based on predictive analytics.
Strategic Growth
Consumer Services
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Strategic Growth
The constant demands and pressures of service-oriented business models can distract leaders from creating growth strategies that allow a company to gain customers, enter new markets, develop new offerings, and increase profits. Each executive or leadership team has a unique vision and Cicero Group brings expertise in developing strategic growth plans that allow that vision to be realized. This can be accomplished with an array of tools, including financial models, data-informed goals, market entry analysis, brand strategy, big data analytics, and portfolio strategy.
Higher Education
Education
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Higher Education
Cicero’s unique capacities and expertise drive measurable results across the spectrum of functions in higher education. Cicero has helped institutions and systems of higher education achieve meaningful, quantifiable successes in many different settings and ways:
- Awareness: Marketing Mix and Channel Strategy, Messaging Strategy, Image Assessment
- Verification Services: Post-Enrollment Verification, Employment Verification
- Acquisition & Conversion: Predictive Lead Targeting, Prospect Segmentation, Preference Modeling
- Enrollment Management: Financial Aid Office Overflow, Post-Enrollment Verification, Admissions Ambassador, Process Mapping, Streamlining and Optimization, Conversion and Transition Strategy
- Strategic Growth: Program Development, Market Sizing and Assessment, Economic Impact Analysis
- Operations: Process Optimization, Policy Standardization, Training, Implementation, Analytics
- Retention & Graduation: Retention Assistance, Predictive Modeling and Typing, Resource Allocation, Program Evaluation
- Career & Alumni: Employment Verification, Education Workforce Alignment, Placement Assessment, Donor Solicitation, Alumni Engagement
Trajectory Models
Education
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Trajectory Models
Leaders in the U.S. are concerned with the current education model and its trajectory. Problems stemming from the lack of funding, poor student preparation, and lack of innovation in pedagogy are pushing leaders to invest in reform. The Cicero Group education teams understand the space’s problems and how to solve them. Their education expertise, coupled with complementary industry experience, allows Cicero to approach each education problem with seasoned perspective to effectively drive positive change.
Funding
Education
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Funding
Public institutions are feeling increased pressure to rely on tuition revenue as state budgets constrict. Allocating scarce resources is challenging. All institutions recognize the increased importance of the College Scorecard to their prospective students’ enrollment decisions—increasing the importance of retention graduation, and employment information.
Coupled with failing programs, children in low- to medium-income areas are fighting to meet their physical needs such as having sufficient clothing, food, and shelter. With competing needs and limited resources, the situation is difficult to solve. Cicero understands that the appropriate allocation of funds is necessary for education programs to be successful. Districts, schools, and students depend on having the resources to function and Cicero Group understands how to strategically allocate and manage resources to meet every need.
Academic Performance and Retention
Education
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Academic Performance and Retention
Student preparedness and performance, especially among lower income students, is poor. This is causing retention rates to decrease, attrition to spike, and special education enrollment to grow. Cicero Group understands the long-term effects of poor school preparedness and is committed to effectively advising leaders to help our students stay on track.
All institutions recognize the increased importance of the College Scorecard to their prospective students’ enrollment decisions—increasing the importance of retention graduation, and employment information. Cicero’s student outreach through admissions ambassadors, post-enrollment verification, financial aid office overflow, and retention services all help schools keep their students in the classroom—and on track for a better life.
Innovation
Education
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Innovation
Students and teachers need more powerful tools to win in today’s world. Due to the unprecedented need, new tools and methods are being invented to adapt to each student’s learning style and empower teachers to be more effective. Cicero is on the forefront of these developments and knows how and when to implement these tools to achieve maximum impact and effect for our students and teachers.
Growth Strategy
Technology
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Growth Strategy
Given the fast pace of innovation within the industry, companies need to stay abreast of changes and, if necessary, revise their strategy accordingly. Cicero Group takes a data-driven perspective to identify a company’s strategic options – and the possible outcomes of each option – to help clients select and move forward with winning strategies.
Competitor Analysis
Technology
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Competitor Analysis
Today’s new entrant is tomorrow’s main competitor. Technology executives and Senior Product Managers cannot be caught off guard with products or features from competitors. Cicero Group employs a data-driven approach to ensure detailed competitor analysis results. Beyond providing comprehensive analysis, Cicero Group leverages deep experience in interpreting data to provide clients with a clear understanding of competitor trends and market opportunities.
Customer Research
Technology
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Customer Research
Attracting the right customers that engage in ways that lead to profitability is critical to a company’s success. Driving customer acquisition and engagement requires a solid understanding of target consumers. Through years of experience with both B2C and B2B companies, Cicero Group has perfected the art of finding the right people to speak with, obtaining insightful and impactful information and creating actionable recommendations that lead a company to succeed.
Maximize Customer Loyalty
Finance
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Maximize Customer Loyalty
Customer loyalty is critical in today’s crowded marketplace. Customers readily switch providers based on interest rates, perks, or the latest headline. Cicero takes a grassroots approach to developing loyalty by speaking directly with the customer, utilizing both qualitative understanding and quantitative analysis to fully comprehend your customers current and future needs, habits, and questions.
Utilizing this direct consumer feedback we craft a targeted solution that optimizes the customer experience and balances both internal and regulatory constraints. Our solutions go beyond currently accepted industry best practices, opting instead for a disruptive, customer-led approach that creates never-before-seen industry-leading products and practices.
Regulatory Change Management
Finance
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Regulatory Change Management
Whether it’s dealing with FINRA or navigating Dodd Frank, Cicero has the tools and expertise to quickly bring your process up to code. With our breadth and depth of industry and cross-industry experience, Cicero Group knows how to dive deep into your process to discover and address any regulatory issues you face. Cicero’s practice in analyzing data and understanding consumers can further empower the organization to make the business critical decisions made necessary by the rapidly shifting regulatory environment and growing industry risk.
Throughout the process Cicero will take a step back to maintain a client-centric focus. It’s easy to get lost in the mire of technicalities and requirements, but we make sure that your clients are appropriately abreast of applicable changes and experience minimal disruptions, no matter what.
Process Optimization
Manufacturing
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Process Optimization
Cicero Group has in-depth knowledge of the manufacturing industry. Our knowledge, combined with our analytical capabilities, give us insight into how to optimize the processes of our clients, from order to deliver. We offer our services to redesign or improve lead times, quality and inefficiencies.
We specialize in creating lean strategies. We formulate and craft plans to simplify processes, reduce costs and identify inefficiencies. We make sure our recommendations are goal-oriented and practical. We fully diagnose the operations of our clients and use benchmarking processes to see the full potential. We then identify which areas require the most focus and return the most value. We customize plans that reduce response times and increase productivity.
Digital Transformation
Manufacturing
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Digital/Analytical Transformation
Big data is affecting industries all across the globe and manufacturing is definitely a part of those. Fortunately, manufacturers have the opportunity to capitalize on the influx of information that is currently being produced. Cicero Group retains the capabilities of gathering and analyzing vast amounts of data to produce direction for strategy and process improvement. When being efficient is essential to survival, every possible data point must be combed through to get every insight possible.
As more and more “smart” machines are being created, manufacturers have the opportunity to take advantage of these systems that connect machine to machine. We produce strategies to help companies incorporate these new technologies into their processes for smooth transitions.
Industry Strategy
Manufacturing
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Industry Strategy
Cicero Group’s extensive experience within the manufacturing industry and others give new perspectives for our clients. We utilize our background in market research to understand competitors and trends to give appropriate recommendations on strategy to improve top-line growth. We look into M&A strategies when needed to find the best fit that creates the most synergy. We also employ our research capabilities to assess and mitigate risk where possible.
Logistics and Distribution
Manufacturing
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Logistics and Distribution
Cicero Group leverages its skills in logistics and distribution to help companies with their fulfillment needs. We assist our clients within the supply chain with cross-channel order demand. We analyze operating models to ensure effective distribution across a global economy. We also combine data to provide accurate insights to create the most streamlined processes possible.
Healthcare Practice
Healthcare
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Healthcare Practice
Cicero Group has a deep understanding of the obstacles facing healthcare companies in today’s rapidly changing landscape. Our knowledge of current and future regulations, patient satisfaction experience, and the healthcare marketplace has led us to create Cicero Health, a practice area of dedicated experts to the healthcare space. This dedicated practice area allows us to focus resources, talent, and experienced leadership to the healthcare space to meet our clients’ needs.
Big Data Analytics
Healthcare
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Big Data Analytics
We believe that big data analytics will continue to revolutionize the healthcare industry. We leverage big data to wholly understand the issues healthcare organizations face and offer real, practical solutions. The data we collect gives organizations innovative insights that would otherwise go unnoticed. The companies we partner with gain a deeper understanding of their problems and their solutions. We provide the structure and capacity to extract those insights in a meaningful way.
Appropriately analyzed big data leads to more informed decisions on strategic growth, more efficient operations management (which in turn leads to more costs saving) and better and more personalized patient care. We use secondary, quantitative and qualitative data to guide decisions to provide optimal outcomes. We prefer to help organizations compile the right solutions using data-driven analytics rather than blindly guessing at the answers or using invalidated data to claim erroneous answers.
Strategic Growth
Healthcare
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Strategic Growth
Helping healthcare organizations grow is a fundamental skill for the Cicero Group. We craft go-to-market strategies that allow our clients to navigate and take advantage of the shifting healthcare environment. We use sophisticated analyses to identify price/feature trade-off opportunities. These analyses help develop offerings that appeal to patients, physicians, practices, administrators and all consumers.
The range of market research analytics are also well within our wheelhouse that enhance the services we provide healthcare organizations. Part of our capabilities include the difficult task of gaining insights from doctors, nurses, administrators and patients. We also draw on our traditional market research experience to determine optimal messaging and positioning. Our experience allows us to determine the impact of new marketing campaigns with predictive modeling. After conducting a competitive analysis of the current landscape we identify areas with the greatest growth potential and strategies to exploit core competencies and market opportunities.
Our depth of experience and knowledge with new and shifting regulations guide our recommendations on strategy that produce lasting and sustained growth. The Cicero Group recognizes the changes within the healthcare industry, especially the shift toward greater value. We provide expertise in measuring health outcomes that increase the value the patient receives as well as creating new payer-provider models.
Operational Efficiency
Healthcare
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Operational Efficiency
In order for a healthcare organization to succeed in today’s evolving environment the proficiency of the organization must be at a peak level of performance. The processes must also be streamlined to ensure that the waste is cut to a minimum. When we partner with an organization we analyze the complete system and processes to identify inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement. We work with companies to keep costs low, which is imperative to keep an organization financially healthy. Cost-structure analysis, process optimization, and revenue-cycle management are a few of the services that we provide to help an organization reach the highest level of efficiency.
As we collaborate with our partners, we help them create business models that are solution based. Our recommendations lead to long-lasting changes instead of short-term, “flash in the pan” solutions. Our goals lead to sustainable growth and a bright future, all while keeping cost in mind.
Patient Outcome Optimization
Healthcare
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Patient Outcome Optimization
We understand that creating lasting value in healthcare is ultimately driven by improving patient outcomes. We help organizations do this by enhancing their understanding of patient needs and the mechanisms to provide solutions. We help our clients identify products and services to add to their portfolios that create value in outcomes. We understand that a good idea is not worth much without the proper implementation. To truly help an organization succeed we offer solutions to achieve a successful rollout that is seamless for the consumer and our client.
We take advantage of our data-driven analytics to provide answers to the questions healthcare companies face. Via CAHPS surveys and other data-gathering methodologies we are able to develop the insights necessary to understand the needs of consumers. Our solutions are not “one-size-fits-all”. They are uniquely positioned to help our clients. We work with our clients’ leadership to identify key metrics and provide dynamic solutions.
Big Data
Retail
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Big Data
Big data is changing the world around us in so many different ways. We have access to more information than ever before. Customers are providing more information in quality and quantity. Cicero Group is able to mine and derive insights from the information consumers are producing. We use big data to gain insights in sales, marketing, operations and pricing among other categories.
Supply Chain Management and Operations
Retail
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Supply Chain Management and Operations
Sales
We work with our clients to increase sales. Cicero Group has the experience and capabilities for store optimization. By understanding which factors predict store success, determine how many new stores are needed, the best region(s) for new stores, and whether new stores should be brand-operated or a franchise we are able to develop a complete strategy. We also offer channel allocation strategies by weighing cost and revenue associated with operating brick and mortar stores vs an online approach, determine the optimal amount of brick and mortar stores. Labor optimization is critical to a successful retail strategy.
We predict variability in staffing needs caused by promotions, seasonal changes, and store location. This will allow each store to provide sufficient service while eliminating unnecessary staffing costs.
Cicero Group leverages the internal and external data to provide solutions to fill the needs of customers. For example, we conduct strategies in SKU optimization based on purchase trends and margin information to develop an appropriate strategy for each product.
Building Sustainable Audiences
Arts
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Building Sustainable Audiences
AME organizations of all sizes face the stiff challenge of building an audience of sufficient size and loyalty. Pressure comes from aggressive competition, ongoing changes to the devices and other channels through which individuals consume content, and an overall shift away from subscription services in favor of a la carte entertainment offerings. In light of these challenges, AME organizations need sophisticated analytics to help them attract, grow, and retain audience members for the long haul. Cicero applies our deep expertise in customer analytics to AME organizations of all sizes.
Donor and Fundraising Planning
Arts
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Donor and Fundraising Planning
For some AME organizations, building a sustainable audience is necessary, but will never be sufficient to cover the cost of operations. The organizations need to think about not only their audience members, but the philanthropic community that makes their offering possible for the rest of the public. We tailor our traditional customer targeting methodologies to the donor community, which requires specialized approaches given the high net worth and/or institutional structure of its members.
Innovation Strategy
Arts
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Innovation Strategy
Growing audiences always requires innovations – whether the changes are revolutionary or merely evolutionary. On one hand, a novel approach may fall flat with the intended audience and send the team back to the drawing board. On the other, a highly successful innovation may overtake or overrun existing offerings, in which case it brings the risk of alienating historical audience members and key donor constituencies (be they philanthropic individuals or larger organizations). Cicero partners with AME organizations to identify innovations most likely to strike the right balance and grow loyalty with existing audiences and donors, while opening the door to new audiences.
Growth Strategy
Telecommunications
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Growth Strategy
From local and long-distance telephone service, to cellular and advanced wireless communications, no other technology impacts businesses today as significantly as telecommunications. A sound growth strategy incorporates not only an understanding of the marketplace, but also the ever-changing technologies that drive it. Using a holistic and inductive approach, Cicero Group works with you to capitalize on your existing technology and capabilities to develop a comprehensive growth strategy.
New Market Penetration
Telecommunications
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New Market Penetration
Identifying new market opportunities is critical to stay competitive in today’s Telecommunications landscape. Improvements in technology have allowed traditional telecom providers to expand their service offerings while simultaneously lowering the barriers to entry for new competitors. It is becoming increasingly important to both target the most profitable sectors within your industry, and explore new opportunities for revenue. Cicero Group has the knowledge and tools to help you navigate the competitive landscape and identify areas for expansion and market penetration.
Digital Solutions
Telecommunications
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Digital Solutions
Social media. Virtual assistants. Data entry. Back office services. Cicero Group is uniquely positioned to help our clients navigate and excel in the digital space. We also understand that there isn’t just one solution. We place an emphasis on identifying and implementing the most valuable and cost-effective solutions for your business.
Customer Experience
Telecommunications
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Customer Experience
Understanding your customer’s experience is critical. In an age when consumers often have a number of options for their telecom providers, a deep understanding of their experience is vital to adapting to their needs. Cicero Group will help you implement the tools necessary to monitor, collect, and evaluate customer experiences and make critical strategic decisions based on their feedback.
Direct B2C Interaction
Telecommunications
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Direct B2C Interaction
Traditionally, businesses have only received feedback. However, it is becoming increasingly more important–and possible–to interact with customers. Cicero Group can help facilitate the implementation of technologies to give you direct access to your customers, and their feedback, at the touch of your fingertips. From mobile app support, voice channels, SMS messaging, and social messengers, Cicero Group can open the door to customer interaction at a whole new level.
Join The Team
Cicero® is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah and has locations in New York, Washington D.C., Dallas, and Mumbai. At Cicero we work to provide a unified experience, no matter the location. Our three offices help execute strategy across 69 countries with engagements spanning 40 languages.
At Cicero®, no two days are exactly alike. On small teams, you’ll collaborate with energetic, bright, and diverse people as you take on tough challenges in the public, private, and social sectors. Within a supportive environment, you will work to craft innovative strategies and lasting impact for startups, Fortune 500s, and everything in-between.
We bring deep functional expertise in research, advanced analytics, strategy, operational excellence, and transformation to identify and capture value for clients in service of Cicero’s overarching purpose: Helping people create and continuously deliver extraordinary results.
Start a Conversation
Thank you for your interest in Cicero®. Please select from the options below to get in touch with us.