Operational Performance

Streamlining Operations

Streamlining Operations

You'll want to be sure that every activity undertaken by your workforce is contributing to delivering value to the end-customer. Over time, systems and processes evolve, as does the market. You'll need to review current operations, strip out any superfluous tasks, and pivot to new ways of working.

Cutting Costs

In normal times, regular reviews of spend and committed cost is a straightforward and necessary activity. Right now, cutting costs has become an imperative to, in many cases, save the company. We talk through an approach to stop, reduce and reallocate.

What is the value my business sells?

What is the value my business sells?

The results of your efforts to create value are measured in the customers’ perception of that value. But customer value is all about subjective perceptions, which can only be influenced, not controlled.

Who are your Customers?

Who are your Customers?

A truly customer-centric organisation knows their customer segments. Some organisations are service-oriented rather than sales-led, or have a variety of customers, but nevertheless each needs to understand its customers’ personas and clearly communicate the Why, and the value it gives each group.

What are your Product Benefits?

What are your Product Benefits?

It is a fundamental rule of marketing and sales that customers are typically more interested in benefits as opposed to the technical details or features of your product. You need to understand the benefits of your products.

Products, Architecture & Value

Products, Architecture & Value

Driven by innovation, competition and/or acquisition, the design of products has become more complicated and they are introduced to the market at a quicker pace. We need to ensure that our products are properly architected and we need to stay focused on the value that they deliver to our customers.

Organisational culture: shifting gears to accelerate change

Organisational culture: shifting gears to accelerate change

Organisations must pivot to respond to significant trading uncertainty. Their ability to pivot may be compromised by a lack of readiness in the change team and unhelpful behaviours amongst the staff. We discuss what must change.

Risk Led Leadership

Risk Led Leadership

Leading your company – setting your objectives, making commitments, and managing your organisation's performance whilst being aware of the threats and opportunities that affect these outcomes is risk-led leadership. We explain our PACED approach to move into an uncertain future with confidence.

The Three Laws

Building a customer-centric digital organisation that is focused on delivering value to your customers needs new and agile ways of working. Let's explore the Three Laws.

The Law of the Small Team

The Law of the Small Team

Small teams are essential to create a customer-centric company. With self-organising leadership and alignment to the overall product roadmap, they are given the autonomy to decide what to build, how to build it, and how to work together while building it.

The Law of the Network

The Law of the Network

Work flows smoothly and continuously. Instead of major programmes of work requiring significant capital investment, we move the whole company to an agile way of working where we continually respond to customer needs, and deliver increasing customer value.

An Individual's Guide to Working Remotely

An Individual's Guide to Working Remotely

Working at home all of the time is a lot different from staying in one day to receive a delivery. It requires some behavioural shifts, but once you realise what needs to change, you'll feel more confident.

What makes your team tick?

What makes your team tick?

Do you know what you need to do to get your team to perform at their best? Do you wonder why they bicker over seemingly insignificant matters? We've been using a workplace motivation tool to help our clients understand themselves and their teams better, and to unleash their potential.

Seven steps to effective delegation

Seven steps to effective delegation

Delegation is one of the most powerful tools in your toolbox. It allows you to work on the things that will really take your business forward. But how do you get it right?

Tools for Working at Home

Tools for Working at Home

You need the right kit for working at home. Some of it you may already have, and maybe you can borrow some key items from the office, but you don't want any compromises when you are working at home 5-days a week.

Team Culture

Research shows that team culture is not only strongly correlated with company performance, it is also a strong predictor of job satisfaction. A high-trust culture is important for creating a happy working environment and a high-performance organisation.

Flow and Feedback

Flow and Feedback

To ace customer-centricity, make sure that work always flows in one direction – towards the customer; the smaller the work packet the sooner the value. Create, shorten and amplify feedback loops so that learning is fast. Continually experiment in order to learn from mistakes - and achieve mastery.

Corporate Memory

Corporate Memory

There are many sources of knowledge across the business. The challenge is harnessing this knowledge in a coherent and productive way. The way a business gathers, shares and exploits its knowledge can be central to its ability to develop successfully and to continue trading.

The art of communication: making contact... and then what?

The art of communication: making contact... and then what?

Communication is a key leadership skill. It's easy to assume that if we know something and the context around it, then everyone else does too. Effective communication involves defining your audience, choosing the best messaging route, plus giving clarity on the expected action by recipients.

Agile buildability

Agile buildability

The concept of 'buildability' is one where Engineers and Architects work together and pay close attention to the design from the perspective of those who will manufacture parts, install components and carry out construction works. There is much benefit in applying this approach to technology.

How do I succeed at selling?

How do I succeed at selling?

If you want to win in business, you can’t rely on your monthly management reports. You need a clear perception of "what affects what", so that you can easily tell how one factor influences another.

Do more with less – leaner, fitter, and stronger

Do more with less – leaner, fitter, and stronger

Times are tough, and most commentators agree we are heading for a recession. How do you reduce costs without compromising on quality or customer service? Our 8-step programme looks at where value can be added.