KMJ Consulting, Inc. Newsletter
Spring 2017

Looking Back… A conversation with founder Karen Jehanian

KJ Office-webdsite

Emily White, Marketing Coordinator, recently sat down with Karen Jehanian to reflect on the past as KMJ enters its 20th year in business. Karen has always had an entrepreneurial spirit, and when the opportunity presented itself to start her own firm she took the leap! KMJ is built on the values of Inspiring Creativity, Thought Leadership, Improving Mobility, and Caring for Clients. The atmosphere at KMJ is generated from Karen’s leadership style, “We are not just growing as a stronger team, but growing individually as well. We work hard to make it work but it’s not hard work.” Karen describes what drove her to start KMJ, leadership style, and her definition of success. Read the full interview here!

KMJ Educates aspiring engineers at Drexel University 

Drexel Class of 1982 Alumni, Karen Jehanian, PE and Darin Gatti, PE (Chief Engineer and President of the Board of Surveyors for the Philadelphia Streets Department) along with several KMJ staff members brought their expertise and work experience to Drexel’s Urban Transportation class. This marks the fifth year KMJ has guest lectured at Drexel and as always, it was a learning experience for both KMJ’s staff and Drexel’s engineering students. KMJ brought real-world situations to various topics including, Communication, ADA Curb Ramps, Connected and Automated Vehicles and Innovative Intersections. “Students were engaged and interested in our first-hand experience in both the technical and communication presentations” – Karen Jehanian, President

Customer Service Tip 

Always use Positive Language 

Positive language is a great way to avoid accidental conflicts sprung from miscommunication. While the change is subtle, the effects are dramatic.

  • Negative language: “I don’t know the answer to that. Sorry.”
  • Positive language: “That’s a good question. Let me find out the answer for you right now!”

Redirecting the conversation from negative to positive places focus on the proposed solution. When the outcome takes center stage, it improves the probability that clients will be satisfied.