Our firm helps organizations achieve dramatic, sustainable performance improvements by integrating strategy, business processes, people, and technology. Since we were founded in 1988 we have focused primarily on six types of clients:
· pharmaceutical
· semiconductor
· telecommunications
· government
· hospitals
· financial institutions

One major theme throughout our work is the focus on the people aspect of performance:
· what motivates people
· how organizations can best be structured for them to perform well
· how people react to and utilize new technology
· how people can be most productive in group sessions
· how to create high levels of personal initiative and a continuous improvement mindset

By concentrating on linking the people aspect of performance to strategies, business processes, and technology, organizations are likely to achieve significant performance improvements that are sustainable over time.

In addition to providing workshops and consulting assistance, Tom Devane & Associates also dedicates a minimum of 20 days each year to research in theories and best practices of how people can be most effective in the workplace. Our founder, Tom Devane, has published the results of much of this research and it is incorporated into all of our workshops and consulting services.

A second major theme in our work—and perhaps our firm's most distinguishing characteristic—is the desire to build internal capability at client organizations. Whether it is in a workshop, a group working session, or personal coaching session, we seek to transfer knowledge and best practices so that clients do not become dependent on external consultants. A VP at Geneva Pharmaceuticals once commented, “The great thing about having [Tom Devane & Associates] in here doing work is that lots of things keep happening after they have left. Our people have new skills, a work plan for going forward, and a shared energy toward continuous improvement.”

Representative clients include Johnson & Johnson, Roche, Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, Searle, AT&T, McNeil Consumer Products (makers of Tylenol™), SEMATECH, Geneva Pharmaceuticals (the generic drug division of Novartis), Monsanto, StorageTek, Bell Labs, Time Warner, Honeywell, Porter Memorial Hospital, US West, MCI, and the Republic of South Africa.