Simplifying Change in a Complex Environment
Solution Area
Fractional Leadership
Sector
Sustainability
Background
Client is a US non-profit representing a cross-value chain industry coalition working with governments to improve global sustainability goals by lobbying for policy change, catalyzing funding and driving on-the-ground action to solve systemic issues in waste collection and recycling.
Challenge
A small but complex organization of 90 staff with 60% headquartered in Singapore and the rest fully remote across 40 countries in multiple time zones. Cross-cultural and workstyle differences causing friction, recent high turnover creating an environment hostile to change. Internal teams were overworked and needed help with a significant transformation that is impacting all aspects - from Governance structures to Strategy and Operating model changes with implications to organization structure and accountabilities, staffing and reporting line changes, day-to-day work process and procedural changes. Within 8 months, the organization had to be ready and prepared to execute on the new strategy that was to be launched at it's first ever company-wide retreat to mark the start of a new phase of its evolution.
Solution
Understanding the context, strategy and getting a 'feel' for the organization. Initiating region specific culture conversations, gathering employee feedback and instituting regular townhall engagement sessions to improve dialog between managers and employees. Devising a flexible plan that adjusted with each iteration of the strategy document. Facilitated initial design of the enterprise scorecard with the Senior Leadership Team to link objectives to measures for better accountability. Leading an agile team of cross-functional leaders to detail the Target Operating Model for the new strategy. Activating a team of change agents across the company to help with the organization and running of the launch event to improve agency. Organized strength-based assessments and training for a culture reset emphasizing collaboration and inclusivity necessary to support the new ways of working.
Results
The 'AMPLIFY' launch event was very well received with a perceivable rise in clarity, acceptance and support for the strategy along with improved staff morale and inter-departmental collaboration. The leadership team was able to demonstrate their unity and generate momentum for year ahead.
“I had the pleasure of working this year with Eugene on a large strategic change management initiative. Eugene led the change management effort with drive, enthusiasm and professionalism, engaging all staff into dialogues, implementing tools to measure progress and developing with me the enterprise Balanced Scorecard. He has been a fantastic companion to me on the strategic part of the project thanks to his intuition and knowledge. He brought clarity, momentum and an unabated capacity to challenge creatively. I would welcome the opportunity to partner with Eugene on any significant change project again, as I know his qualities and expertise would deliver an outstanding outcome."
-CFO Testimony
