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Hi everyone,

Does anyone know who was appointed as the JSM 2014 Program Chair for our Statistical Consulting Section?  If yes, can you let me know the contact information for the Program Chair?  The reasons I need this information are highlighted below.

REASON NO. 1

Capitalizing on the JSM 2013 panel session on communication for statistical consulting (which was both well attended and well received by the audience), I am working on organizing a session for JSM 2014 and would like to know if the Statistical Consulting Section would be interested in sponsoring the session. 

The tentative title and abstract for this new session are as follow (note that the panelists who will be participating in this session may suggest changes to both the title and the abstract):

Best and Worst Practice for Communicating Statistical Findings to Consulting Clients

As consultants, we are aware that the bottom line in statistical consulting is effectively communicating statistical findings to our clients.  No matter how good our communication skills may be during the consulting process or how outstanding the quality of our work, if we cannot communicate the meaning, implications and limitations of our findings to our clients, all is lost.  No consultant wants to be in a situation where their client confesses to feeling that hard statistical work was wasted on them. This session will emphasize best and worst practices for communicating statistical findings to clients with reference to real-world examples. By being exposed to a continuum of communication practices, the participants in this session will develop a good sense of the processes they need to adopt in order to assist their clients to digest statistical findings in a way that facilitates decision-making and dissemination of information.   These processes include: eliciting the level of statistical sophistication of the clients, developing an awareness of the decision-making climate in which the clients operate, finding the right balance between simplicity and complexity when presenting results to clients and developing a reliable set of templates for the construction of graphs, tables, presentations and statistical reports.  

REASON NO. 2

Based on feedback received at JSM 2013, it emerged that there is a lot of interest among members of our section and others in the following topic: starting and running a (private) consulting business.  I have been in touch with Chris Holloman, who indicated that he may organize a panel session on this topic for JSM 2013. 

It strikes me that this particular topic may warrant the development of a continuing education course which will emphasize best practices for setting up/running a consulting business and provide the participants .  The course could be taught by 2-3 statistical consultants and would contain a series of mini-lectures and hands-on activities for the participants.  The participants will be provided with relevant course materials and plenty of wisdom from the trenches. At the end, the course could allow for a Question Period where participants could ask anything they want to know about consulting (e.g., how do you secure consulting work?, should you take out insurance?, how do you establish an online presence?, how do you handle conflict?). 

Has our section ever sponsored such a course?   If not, would the section be interested in this type of initiative?

Many thanks and I look forward to receiving your feedback,

Isabella


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Isabella R. Ghement, Ph.D.
Ghement Statistical Consulting Company Ltd.
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hi

Nick Pajewski is the Section on Statistical Consulting (CNSL) Program Chair for the 2014 JSM.
Nicholas M. Pajewski ‎[npajewsk@wakehealth.edu]‎


-S

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Stuart Gansky
John C. Greene Professor of Primary Care Dentistry
University of California, San Francisco
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Hi, Isabella!


The 2014 Program Chair is Nick Pajewski at Wake Forest: npajewsk at wakehealth dot edu


The Section eagerly awaits proposals for invited sessions! Send them to Nick.


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Marlene Egger, 2013 Section Chair
Professor
University of Utah, DFPM
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As Isabella said, I am hoping to put together an invited panel for JSM 2014 about starting/running a private consulting business.

Although I like Isabella's idea of putting together a CE course on this topic, I don't believe I will have time before the next JSM to lead the effort to organize such a course.  However, if someone else is interested in leading that effort, I don't want to create an invited panel that will conflict with the CE course.  Is there anyone out there who is interested in taking the lead on putting together a CE course on this topic?

Thanks,
Chris

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Christopher Holloman
Ohio State University
CHC Group, LLC
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I agree how to start a consulting business is an _excellent_ topic.
I don't think the Section has had a short course on it before.

I also agree with Chris we don't want to compete w/ ourselves in the same JSM.
maybe the short course should come in 2015 after the panel in 2014.

also the Conference on Statistical Practice in Feb (Tampa, FL in 2014) would be another good venue for these activities.

Stuart

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Stuart Gansky
John C. Greene Professor of Primary Care Dentistry
University of California, San Francisco
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-23-2013 09:07
From: Christopher Holloman
Subject: JSM 2014 (Boston) - Who is the Program Chair for the Statistical Consulting Section

As Isabella said, I am hoping to put together an invited panel for JSM 2014 about starting/running a private consulting business.

Although I like Isabella's idea of putting together a CE course on this topic, I don't believe I will have time before the next JSM to lead the effort to organize such a course.  However, if someone else is interested in leading that effort, I don't want to create an invited panel that will conflict with the CE course.  Is there anyone out there who is interested in taking the lead on putting together a CE course on this topic?

Thanks,
Chris

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Christopher Holloman
Ohio State University
CHC Group, LLC
-------------------------------------------

I plan to participate in the session that Isabella is planning (Best and Worst Practice for Communicating Statistical Findings to Consulting Clients), but I also think that a session on "starting/running a private consulting business" is an excellent idea. After 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry and being laid off twice, I decided to consult until my next job, that was almost 10 years ago. I think it became real when I got the business cards. Many things have happened since,  such getting an accountant, being incorporated, ... More recently, I moved from NJ to Winston-Salem NC less than a year ago. It's a major change in many ways. I decided to also move the corporation to NC, fired my payroll company (it's only me but this way I remember to pay my taxes - the payroll company in NJ forgot to pay me), ended up with 4 EINs, one of which has been threatened by seizure by the IRS (taxes were paid to a different EIN), my accountant is in NJ,... Starting a business can be very difficult; re-starting isn't much easier, and may be tougher.

David

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David Bristol
Statistical Consulting Services, Inc.
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-23-2013 09:07
From: Christopher Holloman
Subject: JSM 2014 (Boston) - Who is the Program Chair for the Statistical Consulting Section

As Isabella said, I am hoping to put together an invited panel for JSM 2014 about starting/running a private consulting business.

Although I like Isabella's idea of putting together a CE course on this topic, I don't believe I will have time before the next JSM to lead the effort to organize such a course.  However, if someone else is interested in leading that effort, I don't want to create an invited panel that will conflict with the CE course.  Is there anyone out there who is interested in taking the lead on putting together a CE course on this topic?

Thanks,
Chris

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Christopher Holloman
Ohio State University
CHC Group, LLC
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-------------------------------------------
Archie Swindell
-------------------------------------------
I am interested in the general subject of the business end of statistical consulting, even though I have been winging it since I retired as a pharma statistician/researcher several years ago.  My background was biochemistry/pharmacology, then statistics graduate training.  In retirement, what began as small community service projects has morphed into near full-time work in data capture and analysis, and in surveys of youth, parents, and community leaders - mainly on the subject of substance abuse.  I also get the occasional call to help with industrial experimental design or analysis.  My impression is that there is lots more work out there than there are statisticians to do it, especially if services were marketed.  It would be very helpful to swap stories with others in similar situations.






Original Message:
Sent: 08-24-2013 12:24
From: David Bristol
Subject: JSM 2014 (Boston) - Who is the Program Chair for the Statistical Consulting Section


I plan to participate in the session that Isabella is planning (Best and Worst Practice for Communicating Statistical Findings to Consulting Clients), but I also think that a session on "starting/running a private consulting business" is an excellent idea. After 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry and being laid off twice, I decided to consult until my next job, that was almost 10 years ago. I think it became real when I got the business cards. Many things have happened since,  such getting an accountant, being incorporated, ... More recently, I moved from NJ to Winston-Salem NC less than a year ago. It's a major change in many ways. I decided to also move the corporation to NC, fired my payroll company (it's only me but this way I remember to pay my taxes - the payroll company in NJ forgot to pay me), ended up with 4 EINs, one of which has been threatened by seizure by the IRS (taxes were paid to a different EIN), my accountant is in NJ,... Starting a business can be very difficult; re-starting isn't much easier, and may be tougher.

David

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David Bristol
Statistical Consulting Services, Inc.
-------------------------------------------

Let me just add my support for this type of session or training.  I anticipate retiring from  Federal service within the next few years and would also be very much interested in hearing about what it takes to run a consulting business.  I barely know what questions or concerns I should have no less how to answer or address them. 
Bob Gerzoff







Original Message:
Sent: 08-24-2013 13:06
From: Archie Swindell
Subject: JSM 2014 (Boston) - Who is the Program Chair for the Statistical Consulting Section



-------------------------------------------
Archie Swindell
-------------------------------------------
I am interested in the general subject of the business end of statistical consulting, even though I have been winging it since I retired as a pharma statistician/researcher several years ago.  My background was biochemistry/pharmacology, then statistics graduate training.  In retirement, what began as small community service projects has morphed into near full-time work in data capture and analysis, and in surveys of youth, parents, and community leaders - mainly on the subject of substance abuse.  I also get the occasional call to help with industrial experimental design or analysis.  My impression is that there is lots more work out there than there are statisticians to do it, especially if services were marketed.  It would be very helpful to swap stories with others in similar situations.






Original Message:
Sent: 08-24-2013 12:24
From: David Bristol
Subject: JSM 2014 (Boston) - Who is the Program Chair for the Statistical Consulting Section


I plan to participate in the session that Isabella is planning (Best and Worst Practice for Communicating Statistical Findings to Consulting Clients), but I also think that a session on "starting/running a private consulting business" is an excellent idea. After 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry and being laid off twice, I decided to consult until my next job, that was almost 10 years ago. I think it became real when I got the business cards. Many things have happened since,  such getting an accountant, being incorporated, ... More recently, I moved from NJ to Winston-Salem NC less than a year ago. It's a major change in many ways. I decided to also move the corporation to NC, fired my payroll company (it's only me but this way I remember to pay my taxes - the payroll company in NJ forgot to pay me), ended up with 4 EINs, one of which has been threatened by seizure by the IRS (taxes were paid to a different EIN), my accountant is in NJ,... Starting a business can be very difficult; re-starting isn't much easier, and may be tougher.

David

-------------------------------------------
David Bristol
Statistical Consulting Services, Inc.
-------------------------------------------

Hello all,

Based on the overwhelming positive responses I've seen, just wanted to update everyone that we are moving forward with trying to organize such a session (Chris Holloman is leading this effort, as some form of panel session for JSM 2014). I don't believe we've gotten much traction for creating a CE course, at least in terms of getting it organized for 2014. I believe the consensus is to go with a panel session for 2014, and then look towards a course in 2015.  

Nick 

-------------------------------------------
Nicholas Pajewski
Assistant Professor
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
-------------------------------------------







Original Message:
Sent: 08-26-2013 08:07
From: Robert Gerzoff
Subject: JSM 2014 (Boston) - Who is the Program Chair for the Statistical Consulting Section

Let me just add my support for this type of session or training.  I anticipate retiring from  Federal service within the next few years and would also be very much interested in hearing about what it takes to run a consulting business.  I barely know what questions or concerns I should have no less how to answer or address them. 
Bob Gerzoff







Original Message:
Sent: 08-24-2013 13:06
From: Archie Swindell
Subject: JSM 2014 (Boston) - Who is the Program Chair for the Statistical Consulting Section



-------------------------------------------
Archie Swindell
-------------------------------------------
I am interested in the general subject of the business end of statistical consulting, even though I have been winging it since I retired as a pharma statistician/researcher several years ago.  My background was biochemistry/pharmacology, then statistics graduate training.  In retirement, what began as small community service projects has morphed into near full-time work in data capture and analysis, and in surveys of youth, parents, and community leaders - mainly on the subject of substance abuse.  I also get the occasional call to help with industrial experimental design or analysis.  My impression is that there is lots more work out there than there are statisticians to do it, especially if services were marketed.  It would be very helpful to swap stories with others in similar situations.

Perhaps in the interim there could be a cooperative e-learning series with various experienced consultants doing online
lectures\webinars  on topics such as, forming an LLC, handling contracts, billing, etc?  It might inform or be the basis for the CE course.
-------------------------------------------
Bob
-------------------------------------------







Original Message:
Sent: 08-26-2013 08:14
From: Nicholas Pajewski
Subject: JSM 2014 (Boston) - Who is the Program Chair for the Statistical Consulting Section

Hello all,

Based on the overwhelming positive responses I've seen, just wanted to update everyone that we are moving forward with trying to organize such a session (Chris Holloman is leading this effort, as some form of panel session for JSM 2014). I don't believe we've gotten much traction for creating a CE course, at least in terms of getting it organized for 2014. I believe the consensus is to go with a panel session for 2014, and then look towards a course in 2015.  

Nick 

-------------------------------------------
Nicholas Pajewski
Assistant Professor
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
-------------------------------------------







Original Message:
Sent: 08-26-2013 08:07
From: Robert Gerzoff
Subject: JSM 2014 (Boston) - Who is the Program Chair for the Statistical Consulting Section

Let me just add my support for this type of session or training.  I anticipate retiring from  Federal service within the next few years and would also be very much interested in hearing about what it takes to run a consulting business.  I barely know what questions or concerns I should have no less how to answer or address them. 
Bob Gerzoff







Original Message:
Sent: 08-24-2013 13:06
From: Archie Swindell
Subject: JSM 2014 (Boston) - Who is the Program Chair for the Statistical Consulting Section



-------------------------------------------
Archie Swindell
-------------------------------------------
I am interested in the general subject of the business end of statistical consulting, even though I have been winging it since I retired as a pharma statistician/researcher several years ago.  My background was biochemistry/pharmacology, then statistics graduate training.  In retirement, what began as small community service projects has morphed into near full-time work in data capture and analysis, and in surveys of youth, parents, and community leaders - mainly on the subject of substance abuse.  I also get the occasional call to help with industrial experimental design or analysis.  My impression is that there is lots more work out there than there are statisticians to do it, especially if services were marketed.  It would be very helpful to swap stories with others in similar situations.