 FAQs
Common questions planners ask most frequently along with the answers:
Q: How Much Do You Charge?
A: Check out the pricing at the bottom of the Hire Jeff page for full pricing information.
Q: How far in advance do I need to contact you?
A: Typically, my schedule fills up 2-3 months in advance. For big events, it can be 6-12 months out. So, I would recommend contacting me ASAP for your event. I’ll check my calendar and get back to you as fast as possible to tentatively setup a date.
Q: What if I want consulting AND a keynote address?
A: If it all fits into an 8 hour day, see pricing on the Hire Jeff page. But if you’d like a keynote kickoff, followed by a longer or varied, multiple day schedule, we’ll need to come up with something together. Please contact me to set up an appointment!
Q: What is the difference between speaking and consulting?
A: Basically, the difference is in interactivity. A speaking presentation is generally done in a “lecture” format whereas consulting can take the form of a symposium, class, coaching, or a team experience. These formats are much more interactive with the audience / participants performing a great deal more than in a speaking situation. As well, in most consultations, I provide a number of assets you can keep, use, take-away, etc.
Q: Are you currently taking teaching jobs?
A: In addition to my University teaching experience, for the past several years I have taught various communication, education, and computer classes for Community Colleges and Universities alike. Note – there was a time in my life when my wife was extremely sick and so I taught a LOT of online classes to cover expenses. Thankfully she’s pretty solid now, so I only teach 1-2 classes per term (either online or face-to-face if in Denver). So please contact me! I LOVE teaching and hope there is never a time when I am not teaching at least one class somewhere! (It keeps me grounded) As such, I will always listen to the opportunity to teach for a school, both on-ground and online. Unfortunately my schedule is only so available, but I will always seriously consider any offer.
Q: Do you perform course audits, reviews, or other assessments?
A: This is almost always part of a consult, but let’s talk. I have done hundreds of course audits in my history, as well as administrative reviews (typically around communication style, teamwork inventories, etc).
Q: So are you an academic or a vendor? We won’t hire anyone from a company to speak at our school!
 A: First, I am an academic (teaching professor) who also does other things. In my past I have been an administrator at various Universities (most recently, Chief Innovation Officer at Saint Leo). In my current role, I have one foot in each pool. I am the Chief Academic Officer at Ucroo for the Digital Campus product. Essentially, I try to help schools finally connect their people, process, and programming from prospect to alumni. But I am also the Executive Director of the Institute for Inter-Connected Education. We are a consulting / professional development organization who work with Admins, Academics, and IT professionals to improve various aspects of work. So, with that said, let me finish with this. I recommend you check out my videos. I think you’ll see that even when I worked under the Pearson umbrella (they acquired eCollege), I didn’t push their solutions when I spoke. I talk about trends, best practices, outcomes, assessment…all of the stuff you expect from Sir Ken Robinson (whom I have introduced twice from the dais – see picture at right), Mark Milliron, or Carol Dweck. If your institution has a policy against company speakers, then I’m sorry for you. You’re missing out on some impressive people and information, essentially promoting a filter bubble. (Check out Eli Pariser’s work on that.)
“Thanks Jeff – your talk hit home with our faculty and even the students in the audience. Your passion for education, along with your examples, stories, and interaction left the audience wanting more. We will have you back next year!” –Ronald Gentry, attendee of the CAEL Conference 2015– |