Creating an engaged and productive workplace
What We Do
Paint the big picture
We break down complex business concepts and turn them into clear, understandable plans that
enables every employee to be on board. We’ll create anticipated strategic planning measures and
goals that educate and empower.
Take on The Tough Conversations
We initiate and facilitate avoided conversations to identify the gap between where an employee is
now and where they need to be to succeed. Together we’ll make a strong, simple plan with built-in
accountability and an exit strategy if it just isn’t the right fit.
Communication
We build communication plans that ignite action. Two-way interaction is accelerated from the top
down and back up. Leaders will know employee concerns and ideas; employees will know why
management does what it does.
Employee led culture teams
We establish employee-led teams that are focused on culture, communications, wellness, green
efforts, volunteerism, innovation or diversity and inclusion. These teams will leverage diversity within
your company, and take your recruiting, retention and operational efficiency efforts to a new level.
Change Adaptation
Change is inevitable and most people don’t like it. We identify change reasons and effects that will
create early adopters and alleviate objections to new ideas, processes and approaches. By
establishing a change adaptation process within your company, employees will be inspired and
empowered to grow.
Succession Planning
Every leader must actively expand the skills of those around them. Building your bench strength is
about establishing opportunities for development. This process includes technical and leadership
skill gap analysis. After the gap is established, a development plan sets new leaders on a path to
success.
Staffing plan
Once your strategic plan is set, it’s time to look at your staffing plan. Do you have enough of the right
people with the skills needed to execute the plan? If M&A is in your future, do you have the
mechanisms in place to not only incorporate new employees into your culture but also link the two
cultures together? We have a proven track record of successful cultural integration.
Meetings that Make a Difference
How many meetings do you sit in each day without real progress? If your day is filled with mindless
meetings, let us help you create effective agendas, create accountability and mark progress toward
the plan. Ineffective meetings are a reflection of poor planning, communication, ability to build
consensus and an appropriate balance of power. Let RU Talking shape your meetings into
springboards for success.
About
Rachel Ulrich, founder of RU Talking Consultants, is an HR and business advisor from the Pacific NW. With a focus on people, planning and communication, Rachel has helped to build engaged workforces for small non-profits as well as mid-size and large family farms and financial institutions. Prior to working with companies throughout the US, Rachel served as EVP, Chief Administrative Officer for Pacific Continental Bank (PCB), a $2.6 billion regional commercial bank based in the pacific northwest. At PCB, she led 70+ members of the administrative and support teams, oversaw internal communications and managed mergers and acquisitions, focused primarily on cultural integration and establishment of
customer service milestones. Rachel was considered a key accelerator of highly successful corporate growth strategies, including special projects and efficiency improvement designs. Known as a highly skilled communicator, Rachel focused on building collaborative teams and a thriving company culture.
Prior to her role as Chief Administrative Officer, Rachel served as PCB’s EVP, HR Director for six years. Rachel utilized her HR expertise to build an employee focused HR team and served as a valuable member of a highly effective executive team. Additionally, her work with internal culture teams
supported PCB’s legacy in earning a spot as in 100 Best Companies to Work for in Oregon for more than ten consecutive years. Rachel’s focus on successful integration of cultures was critical in the success of three acquisitions during her tenure with the bank. Rachel came to Oregon after twelve years with First Federal Bank of the Midwest (FFB) a $2.4 billion
regional bank in Defiance, Ohio. There, she served as EVP, Human Resources Director. Her time at FFB was focused on building an effective HR structure and leading the corporation through the people side
of five acquisitions. As part of the executive management team, Rachel was known for her keen focus on improving communications and building effective strategic plans.
In 2015, Rachel was honored to receive the Portland Business Journal’s HR Leadership Award. She is a SHRM-SCP (Society for Human Resources Management – Senior Certified Professional). Rachel holds an
Executive MBA from Bowling Green State University and a bachelor’s degree in organizational management from Bluffton College.
Rachel has been a mentor for the University of Oregon MBA mentoring program and has been a speaker for the University of Oregon’s Women in Business and SHRM chapters. Additionally, Rachel has led discussion on the topics of women in leadership, effective communication and building a collaborative culture.
Rachel serves proudly on one of Eugene’s most successful non-profit boards: Food for Lane County. Her role with the organization currently includes the Vice Chair position, work with the Advocacy committee
and chair of the policy and planning committee.
Contact
Let's Chat
To request a bid or for general inquiries, questions or commendations, please call or text: 541. 221. 6206 or fill out the following form