About Mike Culton
I am a multi-disciplinary problem solver with an analytical background, preparedness mindset, and a passion for storytelling.
Over my 18+ year career, I've been called on to think of the angles, the what-ifs, and the high-risk events that turn "business as usual" into complete chaos. I arm decision-makers with knowledge and I go one step farther. I prepare them for action. Build a well prepared organization that acts purposely and communicates with one voice–that's the mission and my goal for you. Is your team ready?
I've been called a lot of things...
"You're a real Swiss Army Knife."
"You're like the human version of AI."
"We're going to call you Clausewitz [famed Prussian military strategist]."
"Thorough, through and through."
My Latest Projects
CORPORATE CRISIS COMMUNICATION & RESPONSE
Developing a crisis management plan, along with a flexible command structure to support it, requires a strong commitment of personnel and resources as well as an intense collaborative effort across the organization. I worked with the team of construction professionals at ESI, the largest general contractor in Idaho, to implement a comprehensive crisis management plan.
The end result: 30+ leaders trained on crisis management, publication and distribution of a crisis management battlebook, and created the communication infrastructure for mass alerts and information sharing.
THE ETHICS PLAYBOOK
A corporate code of ethics should go beyond HR's employee handbook and an anthology of standard operating procedures. This document reflects the organization's culture, values, and commitments. It's a guide on how to do what's right and how to do the right thing when no one is looking.
Through an extensive collaborate effort, I led the development of ESI's code of ethics, "Our Code." Tapping into the combined experience of dozens of senior leaders, my team was able to successfully capture what makes an organization resilient and consistent through unprecedented growth and tough challenges.
Go-to-Market in Action
An effective go-to-market plan turns strategic business objectives into action. Working with a small team of business development executives and marketing professionals, I developed an arsenal of assets that captured interest, translated the brand story, and communicated capabilities to opportunities in the advanced technology market.
This approach is driving operational planning for emerging markets and customer retention efforts in other divisions. The combination of targeted digital marketing and relational excellence commands brand authority and drives growth.
Clarity from Complexity
Understanding & Interdicting Opiate-related Crime
As a crime analyst leader, I worked with command staff, investigators, and officers to reduce the impact of opiate-related crimes in the City of Boise. As city and state leaders grappled with social ills of addiction and providing resources to those in need, it was up to the men and women of the Boise Police Department to contain the harmful effects of opiates on the community. It was also their job to see to it that the ones pushing these harmful substances faced the consequences of their illicit actions.
Through a comprehensive analysis of crime reporting and statistics, I presented findings on trends and key suspects that provided clarity on the overall problem while developing actionable leads on how to confront it. I developed weekly analytical aids and summaries that refined the operational picture and gave patrol officers geographic areas of focus. Over a six month period, opiate-related street crime reduced by 30% as the worst offenders faced justice and the city's social programs started to bear fruit. These types of problems are never easy to overcome but tackling it from multiple angles, taking the time to truly understand them, and putting a multi-level plan into action can make a measurable impact over time.
Consistent action and intelligence-led decision-making are just as effective in the private sector as they are in public safety. Goals change, the process and the work ethic do not.
