The Value of Expert Advice
Kim Andres is principal of Andres Consulting, a Vancouver based company with unparalleled experience and expertise in the credit union and cooperative systems, developing efficient, cost-effective and sustainable strategies that are tailormade for individual credit unions and cooperatives.
About Kim
Kim Andres is an internationally respected senior business leader with more than 30 years experience with credit unions, co-operatives, Centrals and affiliated organizations including deposit insurance agencies. She founded Andres Consulting in 2008, focusing specifically on meeting the needs of Canadian credit unions.
Kim has partnered with credit unions from coast-to-coast providing a broad array of strategic planning, governance and operational services. She has worked as the chief executive of a multi-branch Victoria-based credit union and has served as a member of the executive team of a multi-billion dollar inter-provincial central. Kim is a familiar face within the Canadian credit union system, having facilitated group meetings and strategic planning sessions for individual credit unions, provincial centrals, subsidiary organizations as well as Credit Union Central of Canada.
Kim holds a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Queen’s University and attended the Advanced Leadership Institute at Harvard University. Kim is a Certified Management Consultant (CMC), a certified Corporate Director (ICD.D) and a certified Credit Union Enterprise Risk Management Expert (CUERME).
Services
As a national leader in credit union business consulting, Andres Consulting helps its credit union clients achieve sustainable, differentiated improvements in the performance of their organizations.
We work with our clients on the critical challenges they face today; strategic innovation, growth and industry consolidation, operational efficiency, and governance development. With a focus on service and value we work to implement solid processes that deliver results. With over 30 years of Canadian credit union experience, and clients from coast-to-coast, we have an unparalleled depth of knowledge about the system and the issues that credit unions face.
We are in the solutions business. Share with us your concerns or your objectives and we will work with you to develop a solution that will meet your needs.
Strategic Planning
Governance Support
Operational Support
Strategic Planning
The issues facing today’s credit unions are complex. In response to an ever-changing credit union landscape, Andres Consulting offers a full range of services to assist credit unions identify differentiated future directions, develop the strategies to achieve those directions and support the creation of action plans to realize the goals that have been established.
In addition to formal strategic planning sessions, we offer a variety of half-day and one-day workshops to assist boards and managers tackle some of the difficult questions facing today’s credit union, including:
- Defining a future direction
- Assessing the opportunities of merger
- Improving efficiency and/or profitability
- Identifying new or emerging market opportunities
- Determining how best to create competitive advantage
Governance Support
Governance Policy Development
We will work with you to develop or enhance your governance policies to ensure that your operations are aligned with standards of sound business practice and that an enterprise risk management approach has been adopted. The policy framework that we provide will include Board Policies and Terms of Reference for the board, directors and committees.
Board Evaluation and Assessment Services
We provide board, committee, peer and self-assessment services to evaluate governance performance. We have a selection of generic templates that offer a standardized process that many credit unions find to be an effective, cost-efficient approach. We also offer customized services for credit unions that wish to tailor the process to their unique and specific needs. We follow through from beginning to end, starting with the template development, then moving on to the creation of a secure online website (to collect results), survey delivery, compilation, analysis and reporting of results. Finally, we work with our clients to develop an action plan to respond to the results of the assessment.
Director Orientation Programs
New directors need to be brought up to speed quickly to ensure that they are on an even footing with the more experienced members of the board. Andres Consulting customizes programs to orient directors quickly on the complex and unique roles and priorities peculiar to individual boards.
Board and Management Workshops
The roles and responsibilities of the board of directors and management can sometimes cross, and it is key to the smooth running of the credit union that these two groups function as supportive partners. Our one-day workshop presents plans, goals and policies to enhance board and management relations. In addition to identifying the complementary roles of board and management, we also identify governance deficiencies and present solutions to resolve them.
Operational Support
Human Resources Management
We support boards of directors with CEO performance management programs including goal setting, compensation design, performance evaluations and reporting.
We support credit union performance with services that include cultural assessments and human resources audits.
Credit Union Operations
We offer expertise in financial management, wealth management, business banking and insurance services. We have developed, improved and implemented operational management processes, profit-enhancing programs as well as financial and non-financial performance measurement programs.
Strategic Marketing
Whether you need a segmentation strategy, or an overall business development plan, Andres Consulting can provide valuable support and a range of targeted services.
Integration Management
Integrating operations following a merger is especially challenging. We offer support for the preparation and integration of merged entities, ensuring a seamless process and enhanced services for members during this challenging time.
Branch Operations
If you are opening a new branch, revamping your branch network, centralizing services or integrating merged operations, Andres Consulting can improve organizational effectiveness and efficiencies by streamlining work processes, eliminating non-value-added activities and improving communications and teamwork. We also realign organizational structure, responsibilities and accountabilities.
Get in touch
For questions, comments or for more information on our services please contact us: