Jim Shaffer is internationally recognized as a thought leader in improving business performance and managing large scale organizational change.  He helps business leaders in a variety of industries significantly improve and sustain operating and financial performance while achieving exceptional returns on the investment made in generating the improvements. 

Jim is consistently described by his clients and peers as having a unique ability to: 

• View organizational performance issues from a broad, systems perspective; 
• Remove root causes rather than treat symptoms;
• Measurably improve performance in a way that adds net value to the enterprise; 
• Create gains through stronger leaders and higher performing people. 

His book, The Leadership Solution (McGraw-Hill), has become a classic treatise on leadership and performance.  It’s been hailed by leading CEOs as “invaluable for someone wanting to lead an organization into the future,” and is frequently listed as one of the top “must have” business books on leadership, change management, communication  and creating high performance through people.   

Jim’s focus over the past 25 years has been squarely on improving work—and results—that people can control. His broad background in general management, product line management and organizational change enables him to quickly understand why an organization is under performing and then create and successfully implement a practical, proven roadmap for improvement. His track record includes significant measurable improvements in quality, service, costs, productivity, safety and speed with investment returns often exceeding as much as 1,500 per cent.  

Since 2000, Jim has led the Jim Shaffer Group, a consultancy devoted to helping companies and their leaders during times of significant change and stress as well as when they needed to take already strong performance higher. 

Jim’s primary focus is on helping business leaders identify specific opportunities to improve performance and then guiding them through action plans that achieve and sustain those gains.  When necessary, he draws on a strong network of Jim Shaffer Group partners for technical assistance and implementation support.   

Prior to launching the Jim Shaffer Group in 2000, he was a principal, senior consultant and leader of a Towers Perrin center of excellence. He was one of the architects and leading practitioners of the firm's global change management consulting practice.  

Jim is a regular contributor to many business publications and is frequently quoted in business journals.   

Jim received the International Association of Business Communicators’ prestigious Fellow award, the profession’s highest recognition.   He was honored by The Planning Forum’s Pittsburgh Chapter for his commitment to strategic management.

He has taught in the graduate schools at George Washington University and The University of St. Thomas, Hamline University and he is a frequent speaker at leadership groups and professional associations.