Gish Consulting

I have worked with Barry Gish for many years assisting us with strategic direction within our company. Barry is the type of individual who will dig into your company for a full understanding of your needs -- deeper than just the surface. He will go beyond what you ask him for, looking at your entire process. He has demonstrated a genuine interest in making sure his suggestions and ideas work, following up on their implementation to ensure results.

We have enjoyed several years of continued solid growth due in part to the focus and guidance we have received from Barry. I would recommend utilizing his skills for any consulting needs your company may have.”

Strategic Planning has been important to the growth of State Bank and we have benefited by working with Gish Consulting. His experience in strategic planning as well as his organizational and leadership skills have been effective in helping others in the Planning process.”

Barry has taken Indigo through a process that has benefited Indigo in obvious (and some not so obvious) ways. After some fast growth, we chose to take a step back and assess where we were at and where we were going, and invited Barry to lead us through the review process. His years of business management and consulting experience and his insight were very helpful in putting together an aggressive plan for us. We have reduced our manufacturing costs, are doing more business, and doing it more productively with less stress.”

The need for strategic planning for community Economic Development Councils is critical. A focused economic development plan combining the strengths of a community with the needs of business gets results. Barry helped provide the leadership and structure for strategic planning here in Fargo. We are seeing the results of that effort today, through expanding business and jobs. Barry’s experience, coupled with his facilitation skills helped to gain Board consensus and put an action plan in place. I recommend Gish Consulting to those EDC’s who want to have an impact on their community.

Barry is an intelligent, disciplined, and insightful advisor. This accompanied with his seasoned background make him acutely qualified to assist businesses/organizations in resolving issues, focusing on priorities, and successfully advancing their futures.

I have known Barry Gish since the mid–1980s. I met Barry when he was providing strategic planning consulting services to banks, and when I was the Small Business Development Center Director at Moorhead State University. From this point forward, I have interacted with Barry on a number and variety of professional engagements, and I have had an opportunity to get to know Barry personally.

In terms of Barry’s professional strategic planning skills, he is gifted and hard working. Strategic planning can seem like a nebulous process. However, Barry brings structure, enthusiasm and wisdom to the process. Thus, reducing process ambiguity. He understands that an organization must “own” the strategic plan and is particularly skilled at obtaining participant “buy–in” and ultimate plan ownership. He is a maestro.

In terms character attributes, Barry is honest, patient and diligent. He understands that a consulting relationship is a trusting relationship in which the consultant must work hard and uses his abilities to achieve the desired outcome.

I highly recommend Barry’s consulting services. I would be happy to discuss these services with interested individuals.”

I watched Barry use his proven Strategic Planning process with the School of Business faculty at Minnesota State University Moorhead. Barry’s ability to adapt to the university environment was apparent the moment he stepped on campus. His problem solving skills and his ability to provide structure, discipline, and accountability were invaluable to the School as it completed its long range Strategic Plan.”

I have known Barry Gish as a business associate and close friend for over 20 years. Our relationship began when he was a successful IBM salesman in the early 1980’s. I worked closely with Barry as he managed our Bank’s strategic planning process in the mid 1980’s. We have served together on projects and boards over the years.

Barry Gish is an exceptionally talented and highly motivated person. His commitment is 100%+ on every assignment or position he has accepted. He is gifted in both preparation and follow-through. I have found that he truly understands sales and marketing principles and execution.

Additionally, Barry is a man with the highest standards of business ethics and integrity.

If I were planning to begin a new business or project requiring marketing and sales management, I would want Barry to be on my team.

Barry Gish is an experienced and business–savvy consultant. I’ve seen first-hand the benefits of using his business strategy approach for taking companies to a higher level. I’ve found Barry to be very professional and accountable; certainly a person with great integrity – always insisting on doing what is “right”.”