We
at CONCUR apply a full range of professional
services needed to support this primary objective, including
agreement-focused facilitation, strategic planning and environmental
policy analysis. Our experience is rooted primarily in the successful
resolution of more than 100 cases involving a wide array of players
and issues. It is also rooted in our robust dual expertise in both
the process and substance of environmental decision-making. This
dual expertise is the foundation of CONCUR's philosophy: to integrate
disciplines to strengthen our problem-solving capability and provide
clients with the highest quality services.
Since
1987, CONCUR has worked nationally and internationally as analysts,
facilitators, mediators and trainers to resolve local, regional,
statewide, national, and transboundary bio-regional disputes. Many
of our signature cases involve land use, water resources, ocean
and coastal resources, fisheries, endangered species protection,
and infrastructure projects. Other cases focus on toxics remediation,
air quality, and health risk assessment. Many of our projects help
resolve cross-cultural conflicts involving indigenous and developing
country communities. Recent areas of focus include oceans and coastal
policy, energy, climate change adaptation, and integration of research
investment and economic development. Please click
here for a full description of our services or to download printable
Fact Sheets about specific areas of our practice.
CONCUR
is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area of California and
is led by Principals Scott
McCreary and John
Gamman. Both earned their doctorates at MIT and served
as Associates at the Harvard Program on Negotiation. In fall 2006,
CONCUR opened a New York City office. The New York office is headed
by Bennett Brooks, a native New
Yorker and a Senior Associate with CONCUR since 1998.
In
2010, CONCUR increased its capacity and ability to field teams of
highly qualified professionals by launching its Roster
of Affiliates. This Roster enables CONCUR to form teams able
to respond to the unique needs of each client and project.
Approach
Seven
Principles That Structure Our Approach and Distinguish Our Practice
Neutrality
CONCUR works in a neutral facilitation and mediation capacity. Our
firm does not work as hired advocates for any one organization.
CONCUR represents the interests of our clients by promoting clear
communication and effective decision making.
Dual
Expertise
CONCUR brings both substantive and process expertise to our work.
Our staff has extensive substantive knowledge in natural science,
public policy, environmental planning and organizational development.
In addition, our process knowledge includes extensive training in
the full range of collaborative negotiation and mediation techniques.
Legitimacy
and Accountability
Our experience in crafting consensus-based agreements and management
plans, coupled with our dual expertise, creates legitimacy among both
agency clients and in the broader technical and stakeholder community.
Our neutrality enables us to help parties act and work together in
an accountable and effective manner.
Joint
Fact-Finding
As an integral part of our facilitation model, we work directly with
scientists, engineers and other specialists to assemble and clearly
communicate the very best available technical information.
By guiding and structuring the exchange of technical information CONCUR
helps contending parties escape the pitfalls of "adversary science"
and build a firm foundation for policy and political agreements.
Multiple
Options
CONCUR structures its mediated/facilitated dialogues to encourage
brainstorming and creative thinking. In order to promote the
achievement of mutual gains in negotiations, participants also are
encouraged to commit to developing multiple options for each issue
under discussion, rather than insisting that only one possible solution
exists.
Building
Stepwise Agreements
The CONCUR process for building agreements proceeds through a logical
sequence of steps in which parties create a series of small agreements,
culminating in a complete solution to the problem under discussion.
These steps are outlined in the figure below.
Stability
and Durability
Our process is designed to yield a decision or strategy that can be
implemented and that is legally and administratively stable and durable.
California
Small Business Certification
CONCUR
received Small
Business (SBD) Certification from the State of California Department
of General Services, Procurement Division. This certification, given
to independently owned and operated businesses in the State of California
that meet key criteria, entitles small businesses to benefits under
the Small Business Participation Program within state contracting,
including a five percent bidding preference and special provisions
under the Prompt Payment Act.
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