FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -------------------------- Of interest to editors/authors covering: Business and Finance, Human Resources, Regional Business News (SF) Executive Consulting Network (ECN) Offers New Employee Assistance Program That Helps Business Executives Resolve Chronic Personal Problems Through Confidential And Convenient Service SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - May 1, 2003 /PRnetwire.com/ -- Kendall "Ken" E. Van Blarcom, senior management consultant with California-based Executive Consulting Network (ECN), is pleased to announce the launch of a unique executive employee assistance program designed to help corporate leaders overcome serious personal problems. "Generally, senior executives are reluctant to take advantage of traditional employee assistance programs," says Van Blarcom. "They often think they can handle the problem themselves or they are concerned about confidentiality." It then becomes a matter for board members or others close to the executive to document the problem and refer him or her to an executive employee assistance program (EEAP) such as Van Blarcom's. In a worst case scenerio, the use of an EEAP can be used as "reasonable accommodation" documentation to help the company in the event of a wrongful discharge suit. "Using the services of my consulting firm is a win-win situation," Van Blarcom points out. One of the key selling points of his service is confidentiality. "An outside executive employee assistance program can be very effective because executives often place more faith in the confidentiality of someone not directly related to the corporation," he emphasizes. With an extensive background in education and psychology and more than 25 years of experience in the employee assistance field serving over 1000 clients worldwide, he understands how executives think. "I have the ability to instill trust and confidence in the people that I work with," he says. "This allows for an open discourse in the nature of the real issues facing the executive." Van Blarcom specializes in providing consulting services that are arranged around an executive's busy schedule. With the executive's comfort level of key importance, sessions could be conducted anywhere from his or her office to a hunting lodge in Maine or on a cruise ship in the Caribbean, for example, as long as the arrangement has the company's approval. A brief initial meeting is held with a company's chairman, president or CEO. This is followed by extended sessions with the referred executive that could last up to a full day at a time. "The extended session model, which is unique to ECN, is extremely effective in getting an executive to face core issues and make real progress towards correcting behaviour." Typically, after a first session, he will then meet with an executive once a week for a month and follow up weekly by phone or email for another month. "Fees for this service are generally less than the average signing bonus for new hires," he acknowledges. ECN's employee support system is designed to address negative and destructive behaviors by corporate leaders that are triggered by job performance and leadership pressures. These issues can range from alcohol and drug abuse to financial, emotional, and family problems. More info: http://www.executiveconsultingnetwork.com. Media Contact: Kendall Van Blarcom Executive Consulting Network voice: 800-660-1622 fax: 707-575-4016 email: kvanb@vbcorp.com # # # --------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Important Note: to reach the person sending the news release contact: kvanb@vbcorp.com If used for publication, please send specimen copy. [source of news = Executive Consulting Network] ref: http://www.send2press.com/2archive/2003/pr_03_0501-vbcorp.txt --------------------------------------------------------------------------- prn-1/5c/ca