Who we are

The 12-Tools Methodology and the concept of a “concentric management systems” was created by our Founder James R Thompson in 2003. After decades of working internationally as a higher education Professor, certification body auditor, certification course developer, and business management system implementer, we have harnessed this knowledge and packaged it for you. At the core of our services and digital products is the idea that compliance and business optimization can be achieved through “having a common center” (the definition of the word concentric).

By creating simple tools such as standard procedures, checklists, visual models and communication habits, organizations have a better chance of fulfilling their strategic objectives. Benchmarks and best practices, fine-tuned from working with some of the world’s most demanding organizations, is at the core of what makes our approach special. Teaching process owners how to master the processes they manage is what separates us from other providers. Simple. Compliant. Collaborative. Configurable. Aligned with strategy. Understanding the WHY. One system. Concentric.

James Thompson is the Founder and Principal Consultant with our firm. James received his bachelor’s degree in I.O. Psychology from Purdue University in 1996 and graduated Summa cum laude with a MBA from the Citadel’s Baker School of Business in 2021. He has held various adjunct faculty positions at universities, technical and community colleges, and continues to support start-ups and small businesses in various entrepreneurial networks.

A management system and organizational excellence expert specializing in advanced manufacturing, James has over 30 years of experience serving domestic and international organizations in their pursuit of excellence.

In 2003, James founded Concentric Global in order to advise customers in organizational improvement, process optimization and integrated (concentric) management techniques. James has decades of experience in lean, production systems, ISO compliance, and other organizational excellence (OE) implementation projects.

In 2008, James and his family relocated the business to Charleston, SC due to strong growth projections in region - specifically in automotive & aerospace manufacturing sectors. James is an Exemplar Global certified Master Management Consultant & Exemplar Global certified Master QMS Auditor. He also holds several certifications in Lean Six Sigma.

Ronii Bartles is a small business operations & marketing expert that loves how the science of marketing creates the art of business. Her focus on being competitive and results-oriented has earned her an impressive list of credentials including an MBA from The Citadel, President of the Charleston American Marketing Association, and a Most Influential Women in Business Rising Star Finalist.

Ronii will be managing the daily operations and marketing strategy for Concentric Global. In addition, she’ll be leading product development to meet the training needs of Quality professionals. Ronii’s background in consumer behavior research and software development gives her a unique approach to business leading with the voice of the customer. She understands big thinking strategies and concepts and can break them down into actionable plans.

The Best of the Best. When you need them. And not when you don't.

We are a group of like-minded experts that work with our clients in various areas of business improvement using a common set of tools. While Concentric's subject matter experts (SMEs) specialize in organizational excellence and management systems development, we also get our hands in the dirt. We not only advise our clients, we also work as an extension to their leadership team - implementing systems and deploying simple tools for quick improvements to safety, quality, delivery, cost, morale, and environment.