Organisational health.
Thought about systemically.
I help companies design, build and sustain the organisation they need to achieve outstanding results.
Typical Assignments
I work with any business that needs to improve its ability to deliver. Any business needing to adapt to rapidly changing market conditions. Any business needing to rethink fundamentally its practices and its mindsets.
My work takes many forms. It could be the development of an entire operating model and its associated organisation design. It could be designing for post-merger or acquisition integration. It could be embedding authentic, enduring brand behaviours consistent with a customer promise.
Sometimes the work is focused on specific outcomes that are easy to describe but altogether more difficult to attain; for example reducing costs, being more innovative, executing faster, improving productivity. Other times the aim can be more nebulous; a gut feeling that things simply aren’t working as well as they should be. I will surface those instincts, stress-test and validate them (or not), and shift them from the conceptual to the manageable.
Working with Complexity
Whatever the presenting problem, there is seldom a single solution. These challenges are complex, so they need the right blend of actions and interventions.
I’m a systems thinker. Throughout, I’ll be mapping the golden thread from purpose and strategy through to structure, process, culture, capability and technology. I’ll work through all these interconnecting components to create a joined-up response.
My skill is getting all of these elements aligned towards a common aspiration. In an increasingly networked world, this can extend beyond traditional organisational boundaries to include contractors, suppliers, joint-venturers and other partners. I don’t manage change programmes, but I do create the right organisational conditions that will enable those efforts to succeed.
Every Situation is Unique
I’ll happily state up-front that I don’t know exactly what form my work will take.
I won’t arrive at an initial discussion with a prescriptive way forward because I firstly need to understand the underlying problems and opportunities within your specific business context.
It starts with an honest conversation. I’ll show up with an open mind and a genuine desire to listen, learn, understand and help.
And I’ll be first to say if it’s not me you need.
Your design is an investment, not a cost
Good organisation design, powered by the right culture and mindsets, is something that’s very difficult to replicate. It’s a source of distinct competitive advantage and needs to be seen as an investment in those terms.