Governor John Engler - Making Michigan #1

When Hill Research Consultants began working with Governor Engler in 1991, his administration was mired in controversy and very low poll ratings. But in the succeeding years, the Governor built a reputation as a popular and one-of-a-kind leader who has placed Michigan in the upper tier of the states, with #1 rankings in job growth, personal income growth and state support for public schools.

Of course, Governor Engler was probably known best for his tax cuts. And Hill Research Consultants polling played a key role in passage of a statewide referendum enabling those cuts and Michigan's landmark school financing reform. And HRC polling assisted the Governor in developing the full range of policy initiatives he placed before Michigan's legislature each January in his State of the State addresses.

About the Governor's leadership, Mike Barone of Reader's Digest said: "Michigan has roared back, thanks to a profound shift in policy – and to a stocky, plain-spoken governor, John Engler, with the vision to see opportunities in a state once left for dead."

 
Continental Airlines - "From Worst to First"

When Continental Airlines first approached Hill Research Consultants in 1989 about conducting research on issues facing the carrier, the airline's reputation was at low ebb. HRC studies suggested that the airline needed a whole new image to successfully attract the full-fare business and international travelers that would restore Continental to profitability. All through 1990, HRC spearheaded an intensive research effort that evaluated a new logo, new colors, new aircraft painting, and new airport ticketing and gate designs.

Focus groups, in-depth interviews and telephone surveys were conducted around the nation and the globe. The results became evident on February 12, 1991 when Continental introduced an entirely new "identity" to the traveling public. But the effort to turn Continental around did not stop with outward looks. HRC studies in the years that followed probed everything from in-flight dining to boarding music, from reservations systems to electronic ticketing.

Human resources got a look, too. HRC surveyed pilots and other employees in a full-scale effort to find out how everything could work better for Continental and its customers. The results have propelled Continental from "Worst to First," in the words of the airline's chairman. Not only has Continental improved its service to customers, winning awards from J. D. Powers, Air Transport World, Frequent Flyer magazine and others, but the airline was named by FORTUNE magazine as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work for in America" in 1998. HRC is proud to have been aboard for the ride to success.

 
Dain Rauscher, Incorporated - "One Step Further"

Dain Rausher is one of the nation's top investment banking firms for public schools, grades K-12. Dain Rauscher assists school districts in raising capital, primarily through issuing general obligation bonds, backed by the full faith, credit, and taxing authority of the district. The capital raised by Dain Rauscher generally is used for the construction of new school or administration facilities, or the remodeling and expansion of these facilities.

We have worked closely with the Denver offices of Dain Rauscher since 1994. During that period of time, Dain has taken over first-place among all investment banking firms serving the highly competitive Colorado school market. The partnership of HRC and Dain Rauscher in serving Colorado schools is unique and now other investment banking firms are scrambling to emulate our success.

Dain Rauscher's secret is using HRC and local political consultants to provide election services as well as financial advice and services to districts. For instance, when a public referendum is necessary to approve a financing plan for a school district, Dain and its partners can assist in the analysis of data and the development of research-based strategies for educating the district's voting constituency. Dain Rauscher calls their strategy the "One Step Further" approach that maintains their traditional role as bankers, but enhances and broadens their services to client school districts.

 
Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets – Teaching the Art of Leadership

At a school that reveres its traditions, no tradition of Texas A&M eclipses that offered by the Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets. But during Texas A&M University's explosive growth of the 1980s and early 1990s, the Corps found itself on the wane. Smaller percentages of freshmen were joining the Corps of Cadets and the drop-out rate was growing. While overall university enrollment was soaring past 35,000 and headed toward 40,000, participation in the Corps was declining in absolute numbers. Some observers wondered if the Corps would survive intact.

Hill Research Consultants was hired in early 1993 to scope out the situation to determine if the Corps' fortunes could be reversed. Interviews were conducted with virtually every relevant party: active Corps members, Corps dropouts, A&M students who were not Corps members, parents of prospective A&M students, prospective students themselves, and faculty and administrators. The research identified five primary problems facing the Corps, two related to recruitment of new members and three related to retention of existing cadets.

The final report by HRC enumerated 14 specific recommendations. One of these recommendations was to enhance the leadership development qualities among Corps members. Happily, the leadership of the Corps embraced the report and its findings, instituting a broad range of revised policies and procedures. The results have been astounding. The Corps of Cadets once again began growing and now more than 2,000 of A&M's 40,000-plus students are members of the Corps of Cadets. A proud tradition has been preserved.

HILL RESEARCH CONSULTANTS