HCDI’s organizational development and training team returned May 19, 2005 from an exciting and interactive Leadership Development Retreat for a recently elected council. Over 90 participants were in attendance for the 2 ½ day Retreat that was filled with over 8 different workshops on effective communications, leadership development, management strategies, personal empowerment, marketing techniques, newsletter development, and financial management. Comments from Retreat participants included:

"This was the best retreat I have ever attended."

"I learned so much to take back to my community."

"Fantastic, just fantastic"

"A great combination of theory, practical application and fun!"

Diversity is a part of our business at HCDI. Members of HCDI’s training team just completed the first of a series of half day training sessions for a cadre of administrative receptionists who primarily serve Spanish-speaking clients. Many of the training participants were from Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, and several other South American republics. HCDI’s bilingual training team provided engaging, interactive sessions filled with real-life scenerios, portraying models of customer service, telephone skills, conflict resolution, and other important interpersonal skills required to ensure customers receive excellent service. The WindyCity is on the list for the HCDI Conference Planning team as a future conference site. At the end of April, 2005, HCDI’s Conference Planning team coordinated a 3-day conference in Denver, Colorado for executive managers from around the country. The conference included policy discussions and key debate on upcoming legislative matters. HCDI’s transcription team was on-site to record and transcribe key information. The sessions were also videotaped. HCDI provides customized services to every client, based on their individual requirements. On May 27, 2005, HCDI’s dynamic outreach and training team kicked out an exciting multicultural campaign for a client that recognizes the tremendous benefit of encouraging management to maximize the benefits of a diverse workforce and a diverse clientele. This process reflected HCDI’s interdisciplinary approach to customer solutions as experts from HCDI’s outreach and training team joined together to collaborate and design an effective campaign for our customers. This customer was a repeat customer for HCDI which continues to demonstrate HCDI’s ability to exceed the customer’s expectations time and time again. HCDI met an extremely tight contract deadline once again! It was thought to be impossible, however, the HCDI Project Manager found a way to make it happen. HCDI’s technical writer completed a proposed rule for a large government agency which required input from several divisions that usually requires significant time. Utilizing outstanding communication skills and excellent negotiating skills, the HCDI’s Project Manager and team did it again. The President of HCDI received several e-mails from top management, congratulating the combined agency and contract team, mentioning the significant role HCDI played as the Contractor.