The Ilahie Group provides specialized services in five core competencies: survey research, human ecology, client-based cartography, meeting and conference evaluation and facilitation.

Each competency is described below, including an overview of our specialized expertise and examples of the type of services and products we can provide.

survey research

Ilahie Group survey research includes focus groups, mail, telephone and internet surveys, face-to-face interviews and data-mining of existing survey databases to deliver needed information to clients. The research is characterized by efficient planning, experienced administration of survey instruments, skilled data analysis and clear reporting of results. Ilahie Group is expert at ensuring surveys provide direct answers to key client questions, and in interpreting results in ways that deliver usable knowledge.

expertise

The Ilahie Group and its principals have considerable experience in survey design, implementation, data analysis and reporting. They have conducted over 130 surveys in national parks, historic sites, and tourism facilities. The work is characterized by scientifically rigorous design and sampling, high response rates, and client-friendly analysis. The Ilahie Group principals conducted the first visitor surveys of the White House. They are well-versed in federal OMB requirements for surveys, and the development of multi-language and international surveys to meet the needs of diverse populations.

services and products

The Ilahie Group can provide a range of survey services — from questionnaire design to full implementation of a long-term survey program. Products are provided to clients in the formats most useful to them — from personal presentations and written reports to web-accessible databases. Reports are presented in easy-to-use formats with supporting documentation. Because of its combined expertise and efficient survey tools, the Ilahie Group can move quickly from assessing client needs to fielding a survey to reporting results.

human ecology

Human ecology applies the socieconomic and biophysical sciences to solving real-world problems — from social impacts of development to conservation planning challenges and urban infrastructure management. The Ilahie Group’s approach is to use the best tools from multiple disciplines to understand, document and describe social and environmental conditions, and then develop creative and practical solutions that clients can efficiently and successfully implement.

expertise

The Ilahie Group's expertise in human ecology is based on a strong interdisciplinary approach, applying the Human Ecosystem Model (HEM) of which Dr. Machlis is one of the originators. The HEM has been applied to monitoring efforts in the Sonoran desert, urban restoration projects in Baltimore, Maryland, and other sites within the US, and to Asian mega cities planning.

services and products

The lahie Group can deliver a full range of human ecology services — from single project design and/or review to social impact assessment and full-scale research programs. In addition, Ilahie Group principals are experienced in education, training and mentoring resource managers and business leaders. They can provide short course, training sessions, workshops, and innovative training materials in a variety of formats to meet client needs.

client-based cartography

Ilahie Group client-based cartography involves the design and preparation of maps responsive to the unique communication, illustration, and marketing needs of its clients — such as maps needed for a buisness presentation, scientific report, or book. Client-based cartography focuses on the design and creation of compelling, user-friendly map products. The Ilahie Group's approach is based on a clear understanding of client needs and goals, expertise in obtaining and compiling accurate datasets, and experience in applying the underlying principles of effective cartographic design.

expertise

Ilahie Group's client-based cartography is focused on transforming complex GIS and other spatial data into maps that are accurate, visually compelling, and designed for specific client uses--from presentations for meetings to technical proposals, reports, and plans.

services and products

The Ilahie Group can provide a range of client-based cartography services — from converting GIS output to an elegant map for a presentation to developing complex atlases for publication. The Ilahie Group can work with a client's existing maps and data files to design map products. Ilahie Group principals can also complete the data mining, collection, and compilation steps to create needed maps. The Ilahie Group works in range of media – from traditional paper maps to dynamic web-based mapping products.

meeting and conference evaluation

Professional, business and scientific organizations spend considerable human and financial resources on meetings and conferences. Systematic evaluation of these meetings — from surveys of participants to expert review — can improve quality, increase participation, and save money. The Ilahie Group’s approach is to provide customized meeting and conference evaluation in ways that are efficient and deliver usable knowledge for meeting and conference planning.

expertise

Ilahie Group principals have experience providing scientifically-based evaluations of meetings and conferences that are focused on delivering usable knowledge and useful feedback that can improve the quality of large meetings and conferences, increase attendance, and lower costs. The Ilahie Group's strong expertise in survey research is an important asset in developing useful and effective conference and meeting evaluations.

services and products

The Ilahie Group provides a wide range of meeting and conference evaluation options — from assisting in-house evaluation teams to conducting single meeting evaluation to long-term monitoring of an organization's conferences. Evaluations are designed and conducted to provide quick and responsive results—in some cases even while the meeting is underway and in other cases soon after it is over. The Ilahie Group can provide results in a variety of formats, including formal presentations to key leaders and conference organizers and clear, easy-to-use reports.

facilitation

Professional, business, and scientific organizations often engage in a range of activities, such as strategic planning, training, meetings, and conflict resolution that require objective and skilled facilitation. The Ilahie Group's approach is to apply proven techniques and methods grounded in research while ensuring that the facilitation is objective, effective, and empowers participation. As a result, the Ilahie Group delivers high-quality, engaging, efficient facilitation services that are responsive to the unique needs of each client.

expertise

Both Ilahie Group principals are experienced and nuanced meeting facilitators and their scientific backgrounds have been useful in managing/facilitating meetings dealing with urban programs, community futures, tourism planning, and conservation.

services and products

The Ilahie Group provides a wide range of facilitation services — from facilitating an internal staff meeting to large-scale strategic planning efforts. The Ilahie Group can work with clients to assess specific issues, challenges, and goals and use these to design a customized facilitation strategy. The Ilahie Group can conduct assessments of facilitation effectiveness in real-time to provide successful outcomes for its clients. The Ilahie Group can deliver final reports and meeting summaries to clients quckly and in a variety of formats that best meet their needs.