Client Results
- Increase cohesiveness and performance of teams
- Improve processes that make the business flourish
- Align work performance with strategic objectives
- Reduce complexity through effective planning
- Increase focus on individual and organizational strengths
- Increase productivity by reducing conflict and stress among managers and team members
- Improve and simplify communication between management levels
The following are case studies that showcase how Pottruff Consulting has helped its clients:
Profits Vanishing Between Departmental Silos
Client Profile:
A North American leader in the manufacturing and distribution of high quality corporate and casual apparel wanted to streamline new product launches, improve communications between departments, improve responsiveness to customer requests, and increase profitability. With each department focused on its own contribution, business processes were scattered; designers were out of touch with what customers wanted, product launches fell behind schedule, sales people found it difficult to obtain samples, and catalogues and price lists were outdated. High turnover and poor communication among departmental managers created continual conflicts. In spite of themselves, the company was profitable and growing in leaps and bounds.
Intervention:
Pottruff Consulting collaborated with the executive team in examining the existing new product development processes and in determining key constraints impacting spring and fall launches. We interviewed people from product design, development, manufacturing, production, and the distribution centres in multiple locations. We listened attentively as sales teams expressed frustration in dealing with customers when promised product was routinely out of stock. Following the information gathering sessions, we reengineered the business processes from concept through launch. The new processes were introduced along with an improved management communication process that served to break down the glass walls between departments. One hour management review meetings were held at key checkpoints, ensuring that interdepartmental challenges were surfaced early and clearly. Lessons learned were documented and shared as new best practices emerged.
Results:
Communication between departments improved dramatically. Managers discussed challenges openly and collaborated to find new creative solutions. Sales people were energized as they departed from the sales conference with catalogues, pricing, and product samples in hand. In realizing their ability to deliver new products on schedule and to provide dramatically higher levels of customer service, their confidence and sales began to soar. A new collaborative spirit emerged.
Find out more about Transforming Paralyzing Complexity into Dramatic Results or call Kathryn at 905-901-4266.
Management Bench Presses Lighten the Load
Client Profile:
A strategic objective of a telecommunications giant was to increase the bench strength of its middle management team. Tactically, the Manager of Organizational Development was to develop and implement a management curriculum consisting of five streams: Management and Leadership Effectiveness, Understanding Financial Matters, Influence and Communications, Team Building, and Project Management. All programs were to be launched within six months, in six major centres across the country.
Intervention:
Pottruff Consulting worked with the Manager of Organizational Development to write a Project Charter detailing the project scope, budget, timelines, and risks. Full time jobs were the starting point for each stakeholder, yet it was imperative to ensure that everyone was informed and working to achieve common strategic goals. With input from each of the sub teams, Pottruff Consulting developed and obtained approval of the detailed project plan. A talented and knowledgeable full time project manager was recruited to manage the project.
Results:
Within a month, the Manager of Organizational Development progressed from being overwhelmed to having a plan and an experienced project manager in place. Approval of the Project Charter by a Vice President protected the manager and her team when mandatory budget cuts were announced. Each of the development programs was successfully rolled out across the country- on time, on scope and within budget. Upon completion, the Manager received accolades from her peers and higher management for a job well done. Middle managers reported having greater confidence in their ability to manage. Additionally, they perceived that the organization valued their contributions and were actively involved in their personal and professional development.
Find out more about Transforming Paralyzing Complexity into Dramatic Results or contact Kathryn at 905-901-4266.
Through the Five Year Looking Glass
Client Profile:
The President of a government agency is mandated to table a Five Year Report to Parliament documenting the Agency’s contribution to the transformation of the region. The report describes activity in strategic areas over the past five years including building strong communities and a diversified regional economy that is innovative, productive, and export oriented.
Intervention:
The Agency engaged Pottruff Consulting to plan the development, production, and multi-level approval of the report to ensure that it would be ready for the Minister to table in Parliament on the prescribed date. Working with the Director of Corporate Performance Measures, Pottruff Consulting developed a project charter, scope statement, work breakdown structure, stakeholder register, communications management plan, risk assessment, Gantt chart, and project budget. The documentation provided an organized approach for doing the required research, setting timelines, and engaging multiple stakeholder groups from across the region.
Results:
The report was developed, produced and tabled in Parliament according to plan. This was remarkable in that mid-way through the project, the Director in charge took a two month leave of absence. The quality of the planning effort enabled the team to pull together to meet the deadline.
Find out more about Transforming Paralyzing Complexity into Dramatic Results or call Kathryn at 905-901-4266.
Meeting RFP Requirements
Client Profile:
An international consulting engineering firm with upwards of 1700 employees, one third of whom are Professional Engineers increasingly found that Request for Proposals issued by cities and municipalities required engineers to be PMP® certified. Without the certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI), the firm would be unable to bid successfully. The firm could make PMP® certification a mandatory hiring requirement, but this would not adequately address the dilemma. Although engineers tend to be bright, they are particularly challenged by PMP® exams, because engineering projects are managed in substantively different ways than PMI recommends.
Intervention:
Pottruff Consulting was engaged to design and deliver a series of ten half day workshops that would prepare twenty five of the firm’s engineers to write and successfully pass the PMP® exam. Materials covered important aspects of the five project management process groups and nine knowledge areas. Workshops included case studies, readings, lectures, and hundreds of non-engineering related sample test questions that would ensure success.
Result:
The majority of the engineers passed the exam the first time around. In addition to having the capability to respond successfully to RFP’s, the firm’s employees now embrace a common lexicon and understand the value of solid project management practices.
Find out more about Transforming Paralyzing Complexity into Dramatic Results or contact Kathryn at 905-901-4266.
