Testimonials

I had an incredibly positive experience working with Ross and the rest of his team while I was in high school, so I pushed for my younger sister Julia to go as well, knowing now the positive impact it can have on your future.

—Liz Mastrio

It might go without saying that the personal assessments, group discussions, and skill building workshops were all integral components of this remarkable mentoring program, but what was truly exceptional in my mind was the genuine individualized care, attention, and motivation embodied by each and every member of the Giombetti team.

Their methods to ignite personal growth in students are truly top-notch, and the authentic compassion and energy that they bring to the table are truly unique and unparalleled.

—Timothy J. Scully

The process allows us to view the candidate from several directions, including a comparison to the current staff. It is an extra dimension to the typical recruiting process.

—Lawrence Goldman, Vice President and General Manager: Tekkote Corp.

I highly recommend the services and programs of Giombetti Associates. Our experience with them has been a very successful and prosperous partnership over the last 8 years. We’ve had over 300 individuals utilize their assessment, training and development services with great results. During our engagement with them, we believe they’ve had a direct impact on our company’s bottom line. Since 2001, our revenue has grown from $350 million to over $1.1 billion this past year. They’ve helped us to understand and cultivate the best we have in our people, and it has proven to be well worth the investment.

The culture of our company, Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS), is something we take very seriously. It is critical for those partners we engage to understand and realize it’s not just what our people do that makes us successful, but that they do so by growing, developing and reaching their potential which matters most to us. Giombetti Associates has developed an innate understanding of ADS as a company. They’ve helped our people realize what they need to work on along with providing the tools and training that mesh with our company’s core values and culture, which is why it has been such a positive experience for us.

In these very challenging economic times, we can’t afford to make mistakes with our most important asset – our people. If we’re not investing in their growth and development, they’re going to go somewhere else and get it. Our employees take pride in what they learn from Giombetti, and their approach to what they do for us and how they do it has helped us to hire, retain and develop top performers.  We’ve leveraged several of Giombetti’s services including:

• Pre – Employment Assessments

The majority of our critical new hires are assessed by Giombetti before they’re offered a position. Giombetti’s assessment feedback provides us with an objective perspective which has helped us to improve our hiring rates over the years. It also helps us to identify potential areas of improvement in those we do hire so we’re already aware of what we can help them work on.

• Leadership Development

Every year, we have dozens of our high-potential employees participate in Giombetti’s Performance Dynamics training. This has helped them develop their leadership, management and interpersonal skills to the point where many of them have become top managers leading different organizations and initiatives within our company.

Since our initial engagement with Giombetti, they have become a true partner – one that knows what they’re talking about and is able to customize and implement truly beneficial and successful programs and training. We have employees who will tell you that it has changed their lives for the better, both personally and professionally. And, it has genuinely boosted employee morale because they see our investment in their future by providing opportunities for growth and development. We are a better company for having worked with Giombetti Associates.

—Erick Piscopo, Director: Human Resources: Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.

We previously used a variety of off-the-shelf personality inventory assessments. When we started working with Giombetti we realized we had been driving a Toyota Corolla when we could have been driving a Ferrari. There’s nothing wrong with a Corolla, but the level of actionable insights we get from working with Giombetti far exceeds the incremental cost. They’ve become the de-facto standard in our hiring process, and we have yet to find anything that compares.

Max Keenoy

Principal

Max Keenoy Principal

So you want to be a superstar? This assessment is not only accurate, it’s fun! I now know my own behavior in personal and professional communications. It has been extremely helpful in sales and conflict management with fellow team members and business associates.

—Ken Stacey, Sales Engineer: Belt Technologies

Great experience! Gives you tools to improve your effectiveness. Provided the opportunity to role play and interact with peers who are faced with similar challenges to be effective with our personnel. I learned that collaboration and communication are important skills to use to solve any problem. Rick Giombetti and his staff created a challenging and fun packed seminar.

—David Cistoldi, President: FLN-MAR Rubber & Plastics, Inc.

Hey guys,

I wanted to take a few days to reflect and absorb the training and see how some of the suggestions and realizations from last week played out once I was back in “the real world”, before sending this email to you. I won’t lie and tell you that I did not come into this training with a certain amount of skepticism. I have done a few of these types of things over my career before and quite frankly, I thought they were a great way for the people presenting to make a living. I mean, you get to stand up in front of a room full of people and tell them how to be a better (fill in the blank here), and how to contribute to their companies in a more effective manner. And get payed for it!

A few things that I observed to help make this a different dynamic are as follows.

1. You all sat at the same level as us.
   • There wasn’t any feeling of this being a PRESENTATION. It truly felt like a discussion. Which I’m sure was by design. It made it so comfortable to actually share thoughts and ideas. It’s much easier to check out when you are being “talked to”.
     1. I have tried to be mindful of my body language and positioning when I have had discussions with team members, co-workers, or family.
2. You allowed us to have different goals.
   • What I mean by this is, you allowed us to have different end games for this training. I know some of the team wanted to try to reach problem employees or be a better manager, while some others wanted to focus on how to be a better husband, father or friend. As well as the evolution of that goal. Some of the statements about the takeaways at the end were not in line with what they thought they would get out of it.
     1. No names, but several folks that said they wanted to be a better manager or better leader at the end talked about not being real or open with personal relationships versus the professional aspect. I think the correlation between who you are outside of work, as a person, and who your team thinks you are was eye opening. At least it was to me!!
     2. I have made a concerted effort to try to make sure that I am sensitive to the fact that different people want/need different things. And that’s OK!
3. You were real!
   • This is huge for me. I like to think that I have a pretty good B.S. meter and the minute the needle starts to move; I tend to shut down and just get through the interaction as quickly and painlessly as possible.
     1. From the second we came in, you all had big smiles and warm invite
     2. You shared personal stories that left you out there, vulnerable. This helped me be real and open.

I can’t tell you how much warmth and genuine compassion I felt from all of you during the training. I know my goodwill score is 96, which I’m sure contributes to me being a bit sappy at times, but I was a bit surprised that I got emotional in a room full of strangers when I talked about how I want to make things better with my family. I know that is a direct result of the environment that you ALL built over the course of the 3 days.

Not to keep going on, but I wanted to share a couple things that I have already done differently that I know was appreciated, even though nobody said a word. The first was as my family sat down for our weekly board game night, I made sure that I was the one to make sure that everyone had drinks, snacks whatever we needed before we started. That has always just been handled by Michelle, my wife. There is NO reason that she needs to be the last one to sit down, even if she doesn’t complain. Another thing is we were going to the grocery store and I turned the radio station to the one that my family likes. The world stopped for a minute…LOL . I despise 95% of the music on “their” station! I mean how can you go wrong with listening to Boston or Van Morrison??? But in that moment of pain and despair of listening to the latest and greatest from, whatever the flavor of the week was, I noticed all 3 of them kind of bounce their heads a bit to the rhythm. That was cool. I mean really, why should I get to decide what music we listen to ALL THE TIME? Just because I happen to be the one driving, which oh by the way, I don’t want anyone else to drive but me??? To quote a very wise man…that’s BAD, BAD, BAD. STOP IT! Haha, I must have heard Rick say that 40 times last week!!

Seriously guys, thank you all for the love and compassion that I felt from all of you. It means more than I can tell you! I look forward to speaking with you soon. Take care.

—Ernie Edgell, Manager C&I Field Sales: IGS Energy

WOW! This program is a polite kick in the pants! If you truly want to improve, this program gives you the roadmap to follow for ultimate personal and leadership success. A must do for anyone at any level. I highly recommend this to EVERYONE!

—Nancy Marryat, Bank Manager: 360 Federal Credit Union

Decisions such as where to go to college, what to major in, and what I would like my career to be were looming and I was feeling lost. As a young woman trying to figure all of this out while navigating relationships in high school and the working environment, I was eager for any guidance I could get. Ross and the rest of the team were incredibly friendly and approachable from the start. I quickly saw them as role models and mentors that truly cared for my future.

—Bridget Lawler

As President & CEO of ESI, A Xerox Company, it is imperative to me and to the success of our company that our leadership team receive professional development that places them in the best position to steer our organization forward in a unified manner while providing an environment that inspires commitment, accountability and collaboration.

We engaged Giombetti Associates to work with us to achieve our developmental goals and received what I consider to be the best personal and customized training ever! Through their Behavior Dynamics Profile and Institute of Leadership Program, Giombetti Associates explored and addressed the behavioral profiles of my management team, then worked with them to develop the skills to solidify their leadership effectiveness.

The investment has definitively been worth it. Our leadership team has been putting the knowledge and tools to use throughout the organization and we are seeing more consistent communication, respect for all personality types and the desire to drive continuous improvement. As a result, relationships between our leaders have improved, as has the overall culture. In short, by strengthening the leadership team, we have strengthened our entire company.

We have been working with Giombetti Associates for several years now. Ross Giombetti is an expert, the training is dynamic, and the ROI continues to exceed my expectations. In addition to the ongoing training they provide to our management team, they work with new leaders within our organization as part of our onboarding, which enhances the process and holds everyone accountable right from the start. Furthermore, Ross and team are constantly following up within our organization to make sure our leaders are utilizing the tools to drive the overall success of our mission. I highly recommend Giombetti Associates to any company looking to help their leaders become the very best versions of themselves.

—Anthony Lane, President & CEO: ESI Electronic Systems, Inc.

This program provided me valuable and honest feedback about myself that has allowed me to excel in all aspects of my life. As cliché as it sounds, this program has changed my life, and without this program, I would not be as successful as I am today.

—Kristin Rheault

I found the whole process to be amazing and eye opening. Providing such useful & personalized information in a non-threatening environment was great.  All the information was presented with just the right balance of humor and tact.  For anyone who is serious about being the best leader they can be, I recommend this program. The folks from Giombetti Associates provided support and guidance the whole way through resulting in a wonderful experience. I highly recommend this leadership program.

—David Betrune, Executive Director: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampden County/Hartsprings Foundation

This program was the start and push that I needed when I was in high school and I still utilize many of the lessons that they taught me. Through hard work and perseverance and some GA help, I am now a wastewater engineer. I will be forever grateful for the chance to be a part of this great program and for being able to talk with them even after I graduated high school and college.

—Olivia Hicklin

Giombetti Associates has been integral in my growth and development as a leader. The many phone calls and meetings have helped me to better understand how I can be the most effective leader where I am while continuing to work on my areas of opportunity. I recently accepted a promotion within my organization and Giombetti is a big reason why I was prepared for that opportunity. I will continue to use Giombetti as my career evolves for myself and my teams.

I am truly grateful for your team and your passion to help me (and others) get better!

—Kevin Kapostasy, Market Manager: IGS Energy

Ross, Rick and their team create an atmosphere of focused learning in their leadership workshop. The tool (Performance Dynamics assessment) that they have developed and refined creates a level of self-awareness that all leaders should be in tune with. They allow you to understand that you can manage that which you appreciate.

—Peter Brunault, Director of Human Resources: Williams Distributing

For nearly 30 years, our team at Riverlake Partners has engaged Giombetti & Associates to help improve our odds of success for key hires across our portfolio companies nationwide. As we build executive teams, we rely on Giombetti’s Performance Dynamics® to assess the qualities and characteristics of each leader, with the goal of assembling highly functional teams where individual strengths and weaknesses complement one another.

One of the first steps in building our leadership teams is the implementation of Giombetti’s 360 Degree Review process, beginning with the CEO and expanding from there. This approach creates buy-in, encourages honest feedback and provides real data to address challenges and build on strengths. Without real feedback, credibility—and ultimately success—is difficult to achieve.

—Erik Krieger, Partner: Riverlake Partners

I would not think of hiring for a key position without utilizing the Performance Dynamics® assessment. The process is so enlightening for all parties involved.

—Nan Hurlburt, CEO: DesignWorks

I have learned so much about myself and how I can relate better with others, accomplish tasks better and quicker, and significantly decrease stress in my life. My ability to relate to others has improved dramatically across the board. Because of the understanding I have for my own skills and abilities, I am more prepared to handle most anything that I encounter.

—Sharon Orr, Co-owner and Manager, Admin & Finance: Notch Mechanical Constructors

Very effective tool for evaluating candidates. Extremely helpful in creating expectations for those hired. It is helpful to understand individual strengths and weaknesses as well as providing direction for goals and improvement. We will not hire any new key employees without having them evaluated through a Performance Dynamics® assessment.

—David Cistoldi, President: FLN-MAR Rubber & Plastics, Inc.

Trust the process and be true to yourself and the people around you. The leaders at Giombetti are the best of the best. They are there to support you and highlight all the things you do well and support you to dial in the things that will make you a better leader at work, and better person in your family life. Have open and honest conversations with them, they will lead to a positive transformation. I have never met a more trusting, honest and kind group of people. I’m excited to see myself grow. I only wish I met them and worked with them sooner in life.

—Melissa Peters, Human Resource Generalist: Notch Mechanical Constructors