7 Step Process

7 Step Process

We listen before we offer advice. This piece is absolutely critical to any problem-solving or improvement effort. While the issue and/or solution may appear obvious, there are often many factors below the surface which will impact efforts if ignored or not addressed in a timely manner. We conduct all assessments with strict confidentiality and solicit input throughout the organization. This ensures that:

• A safe environment is created; this begins the process of building trust
• People open up and share valuable information, getting us quickly to the "whole picture"
• We get a greater degree of "buy-in" upfront from employees and all levels of management

Findings are presented in a "sanitized" format that reveals consensus in key areas while protecting confidentiality. All of our assessments include a customized, insightful analysis with specific recommendations. For clients, this means that, with or without any further consulting support, they have a detailed, prioritized plan (with a timeline) to address their specific issues.

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We facilitate development of organization, department and division Strategic Plans. Top management vision, expectations, goals and objectives are clearly articulated. Employees participate in defining work culture and solutions. A detailed action plan with prioritized objectives is developed, with an accountability process to ensure the Strategic Plan is implemented per defined timeframe.

Our process, while efficient, also ensures that all key areas are identified and have timely solutions defined. Working through the process, clients have a completed, comprehensive Strategic Plan within four-six weeks (they can begin working on key objectives as early as week two; with the Strategic Plan in "draft" mode).

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Our training is geared toward how adults learn: by "doing". Employees and management learn tools and skills through application as we facilitate our process. We steer away from traditional training sessions, because we've found that very little retention and transfer of knowledge takes place. People need to realize a "bang for the buck" fairly quickly; that time spent away from daily operational work to learn translates to meaningful improvements in the "real work" of their jobs. By learning the process as we coach them through several "Plan, Do, Review" sessions, management and employees are equipped and ready to take over maintenance of the process when our work is done.

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With the Strategic Plan as our "boss", we facilitate an implementation process that involves all employees and management. This is a very inclusive process; everyone is held accountable to positively contribute to achieving goals and objectives, and the defined work culture. We meet with top management, management teams and project teams, facilitating the process of completing prioritized objectives through detailed, "who, what, when" action plans.

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Every individual, work group and activity is brought into alignment with the Strategic Plan. Employee Performance Management (EPM) is put in place to ensure that every person-line staff and management-is aligned to add value to the organization. The filter through which decisions are made becomes, "Does this support our Plan?"

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Objectives without measurements are useless. Scorekeeping is essential for clarifying whether or not objectives have been met; and to what degree. We help clients identify meaningful key measures, and how to track them.

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Accountability; lack of accountability and follow-through is the reason so many improvement efforts fail. This critical element of success is repeated throughout the 7-Step Process. We facilitate on-going, scheduled reviews on multiple levels to hold individuals and groups accountable for follow-through. This valuable "Plan, Do, Review" process continues long after we've completed our work with a client. It ensures their hard-won benefits will last and enables them to generate continuous problem-solving and improvement.