Grow

Ready, set, grow.

For existing businesses, leaders, and teams seeking to powerfully catalyze and sustainably accelerate their growth through potent, innovative methodologies.

Exceptional business is built on strong leadership, effective marketing, and the strategic alignment of cohesive, cross-functional teams.

Alexander Bicknell, CPTD

Vision

To standardize excellence.

Mission

To create a new era of human performance through the transformative, life-changing pursuit of personal growth and development.

Values

Integrity. Fulfillment. Gratitude. Adventure. Excellence.

Tailored Services

Three connected growth disciplines.

01

Human Performance

No cookie cutters here. Develop truly exceptional leaders with a world-class, 100% tailored, science-backed approach. Learn about the one-of-a-kind C+F process by clicking below.

02

Content Marketing

Capture market share with extraordinary DTC social engagement tactics. Learn how mastering the C+F content strategy means choosing to thrive in today's rapidly evolving digital landscape.

03

Strategic Alignment

The secret sauce to outperform your own expectations—and the competition. Optimize team dynamics by establishing clarity and building congruence into projects and initiatives.

Human Performance

What is Human Performance?

Human Performance Score = Achievement Rate x Skill Level

Achievement rate, simply put, is the percentage of goals one is able to successfully reach. (Goals Reached / Goals Set)

Skill Level is the measure of expertise in which a goal is achieved; this is often categorized as either competency, proficiency, or mastery.

Why is it important?

The shortest distance between two points is a straight line.

The variables we most commonly forget about are time and energy. A high performer who masters their skill set will be able to achieve targets and objectives fare more efficiently than someone who lacks the fundamental competency of the average performer.

Leadership Development

Innovation stokes the fire of growth. Companies rise and fall on the development of groundbreaking products and services, and how well they can adapt to ever-evolving market conditions... Why not innovate human capital practices in the same manner?

Cross+Forge offers an unparalleled Executive / Managerial Leadership Development experience that cannot be found anywhere else. Utilizing a time-tested framework and a one-of-a-kind dynamic competency model, we can efficiently identify untapped potential and create a targeted growth strategy in ways that other organizations simply cannot compete with.

This will be facilitated by a highly skilled coach who possesses an intimate knowledge of the intricacies of truly exceptional leadership, real-world experience across numerous industries in both the public and private sector, and a keen eye for rapid, sustainable improvement.

There are no cookie cutters allowed. Unlike consulting firms, we utilize fully customized, science-backed immersion techniques, and also include educational resources and learning materials with timely and relevant subject matter.

For anyone looking to supercharge their leadership footprint, look no further. Let's innovate how we do human.

Methodology

While there are no universal solutions to most problems, we at Cross+Forge utilize a time-tested five-step process to capitalize on opportunities for improvement.

Step One

Assess the current state, clarify the desired state.

Understand position and direction. Select key performance indicators and outcomes to determine how success is measured.

Step Two

Identify the gaps.

Using principles like root cause analysis, establish lead and lag indicators to form a hypothesis and prognosis.

Step Three

Set strategic goals and implement action items.

Focus on high-impact, time-bound initiatives. Assign ownership and accountability measures.

Step Four

Measure the results.

Analyze the change in key metrics and cross-functional observations to determine project effectiveness and calculate an estimated ROI.

Step Five

Sustain.

Repeat the process as necessary, driving more deeply into specific performance objectives and striving for continuous improvement.

Content Marketing

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, direct-to-consumer content marketing has become the elusive cornerstone of successful brand communication and audience engagement. At Cross+Forge, we specialize in crafting compelling content strategies that captivate and engage consumers, resonate with their desires, spark conversations, and convert to drive measurable results.

Using principles of modern psychology, we work with companies who want to disrupt the market by taking advantage of first-mover content strategies to rapidly and sustainably expand their brand's authority and presence. Our clients' social footprint will outpace their competitors.

This goes beyond simply communicating a differentiating value proposition—we develop potent content that has the power to build meaningful connections, drive customer loyalty, and ultimately propel your business forward in this highly digital age.

Coaching Services

Personal Development

Work one-on-one with an experienced coach who will help you create a path to achieve your personal and professional goals.

  • individuals looking for ways to intentionally build their character, leadership influence, or personal expertise.
  • managers making efforts to affect real change in the workplace
  • aspiring entrepreneurs striving to pioneer in their market
  • anyone in search of purpose, passion, fulfillment, or alignment.
  • overachievers, procrastinators, and everyone in between.

Team Development

Looking to accelerate your team's productivity, output, and quality of work? This option may be for you.

  • managers who oversee teams who are ready to take things to the next level.
  • those who desire to make teamwork and collaboration a part of their team culture.
  • teams who have difficulty meeting time-conscious deadlines.
  • anyone who regularly oversees projects, who may be looking for assistance in developing project teams
  • teams that seem to be doing “just fine” with doing things “the way they've always been done.”

Organizational Development

The goal of organizational development coaching is to help your company achieve strategic goals and objectives by observing specific practices that impact your key performance indicators.

  • ready to drive innovation into the heart of their organization.
  • in a position to make high-level strategic decisions in order to make a lasting impact on the bottom line.
  • ready to intentionally shape their company's culture by fostering cross-functional team leadership.
  • so committed to sustainable results that they are willing to sacrifice short-term gains for the long-term financial health of their organization.
  • firm enough to hold true to organizational values, but malleable enough to adopt new ideas and principles.

Youth Leadership

Intended for ages 12-18, youth leadership coaching is designed to assist students in developing critical life skills at an early age.

  • teens who are ready to learn new ways of thinking by practicing leadership skills for the 21st century.
  • students who desire to be stand-out leaders in their schools, workplaces, and community
  • students who want to develop confidence and character
  • those who may need help finding direction in a career choice
  • anyone who has the potential to be a positive influence and role model for others

Testimonials

Original Cross+Forge testimonials.

“In my many years of business, I've worked alongside countless professionals. Yet, when I brought Alex in during the hardship of the pandemic, I was taken back. Age can sometimes dictate dynamics, but from our first meeting, the 33-year age gap between us quickly became irrelevant. His unparalleled insights into reshaping our personnel strategies included tactics I wish we would have implemented years ago. I strongly support Alex and what he has to offer our business leaders.”

- Jeff K

“I pride myself on keeping up with the latest in the marketing world, with decades of experience backing my decisions. Yet, consulting with Alex was an eye-opener. The depth of new-age insights he brought to our strategies was nothing I had encountered before. He helped take what we thought was a well-oiled machine and find innovative ways to enhance it with some pivotal details. We quickly learned that the missing link in our strategy was the human element. Now I wish I could clone him for my own team. If you think you know it all, I'd challenge you to have a session with Alex.”

- Hannah C

“With Alex's guidance over the past few years, my executive staff has begun to prioritize the retention of our key players, and our annual engagement scores have seen a dramatic increase across the board. My executive staff alone has nearly 200 collective years of experience, and were yet still impressed by the cutting-edge perspectives delivered by Alex with such wisdom and humility. Needless to say, our bottom line has seen the positive results of retaining our top talent. Our investment in Alex continues to pay dividends.”

- Gerald S

“I've had the opportunity to work alongside Alex on a variety of projects within the corporate workplace and around the Elkhart County community. Alex is always tactful, organized and efficient which not only benefits those working with him, but provides a sense of confidence knowing that whatever event or project Alex is leading, is not only going to go well, it will exceed expectations.”

- Amber A

“After starting a new and challenging role in management, my weekly meetings with Alex became vital. He provided exercises to help me and grow with my team, provided resources for becoming a better leader, was a great listener, and provided reassurance on some of my thinking and decision making, that ultimately helped me grow with more confidence. Alex showed professionalism, had a lot of knowledge on leadership, and I never questioned confidentiality. 100% recommend!”

- Elaine N

“Working with Alex taught me the importance in understanding the difference between empathy and sympathy as a leader. He taught me how to communicate with the various personality types and communications styles within my team and gave me confidence in having difficult conversations. He also taught me how to effectively manage my time and develop a delegation strategy, which keeps me from letting daily curveballs deter my productivity. Alex did this all through assessment, training, and team building. He also makes a terrific cocktail.”

- Zach H

“In an industry where tradition often trumps innovation, it's easy to get stuck in the 'this is how it's always been done' mindset. That was us, until Alex stepped in. His approach was not about uprooting our foundation but rather introducing fresh perspectives that seamlessly integrated with our ethos. The coaching sessions were enlightening, making us question why we hadn't brought him in sooner. What struck me most was the staff's reaction. They were invigorated, receptive, and enthusiastic to implement the proposed improvements. Not sometimes-- every time. Alex also has a knack for making change feel less like a challenge and more like an achievement. Don't wait another minute to start your conversation.”

- JG