Process
Collaboration is at the heart of how we work. We partner with you by listening to your thoughts, asking questions, and recommending solutions that solve problems. In many ways, we act as an extended team to support your goals and mission.
Animals rely on trees to thrive over generations. Oaks provide food, shelter, and shade. In return, animals spread their acorns which grow into mighty oaks, supporting future generations.
In the same way, people in organizations “give back” to their peers and mentors within and outside the organization to help leaders grow and thrive.
The Life Cycle
Strategic Process
As with any important endeavor, we begin with the end in mind. And, since there are many variables that impact performance and success, we ask a lot of hard questions to ensure we get to the right solution(s). We must slow down in order to speed up: that’s how we get it right the first time. Some questions to ponder:
What is your overall goal or strategy? What or who are you trying to enable?
What tactics have you tried, and what degree of success did you have?
What metrics are you trying to improve?
How would you define your culture? What other programs do you use to reinforce these efforts?
How aligned is your leadership team to the goals and tactics?
What else is going on in your organization and how will this help? What should we know about you?
Consulting & Project Process
Our consulting and project process is a world-class system that we’ve used throughout our professional careers. We use these steps to recommend and implement solutions as efficiently as possible.
And, we have also learned that there are very few shortcuts to effective learning, development, and long-term behavioral change. We will partner with you to ensure we follow a process that meets your goals.
Plan: Project scoping and agreements for how we will work together begin our process. We feel strongly that it’s easier to align expectations at the start than to manage misunderstandings later.
Assess & Analyze Needs: This is the foundation phase where instructional goals, learner needs, current knowledge, and environmental constraints are identified. When available, we can review your existing HR documents such as learning materials, activities, job descriptions, strategic plans, competency self-assessments, and assessments. It is vital to our agreement that we identify the gaps and metrics for success.
Design & Develop: In this phase, we will focus on learning objectives, assessment instruments, exercises, content, and media selection based on the analysis. Then, we will work with you to create a blueprint to produce, assemble, and test the learning materials, such as storyboards, graphics, or content modules. We will identify all assets needed based on the implementation strategy. For example, we may use workbooks, handouts, and job aids.
Implement: The implementation phase could involve training the facilitators and making materials available to all stakeholders. We will conduct pilots as needed to incorporate feedback and edits for rollout.
Evaluate: We use formative and summative evaluation methods to ensure feedback and a continuous improvement process is adopted. We strive to measure effectiveness at Kirkpatrick’s Levels 2-5.
Report & Debrief: After pilot(s) and other planned sessions, we will provide final feedback including metrics and measures of success. We will also use this as a learning opportunity to debrief what worked and what to improve. Finally, we will facilitate a thorough debrief meeting and share an update report with all stakeholders.
Planning: Laying a Solid Foundation for Engagement
We proactively partner throughout the project lifecycle, from project initiation and scoping through to implementation. We believe in open communication to ensure continuous alignment – we want to meet your expectations and ours.
Our process generally follows this model for success:
Establish clear goals with client
Ensure alignment across leadership team
Identify resources needed to meet the goals
Define scope of work
Set realistic deadlines and measures of success
Provide regularly agreed upon updates
Conduct thorough Debrief Meeting
Partners & Advisory Team
One of the great things about being in the learning and engagement space is that most professionals do this work because they love it. That’s true for us.
After decades of working with professionals all over the US, Canada, and parts of Europe, we have established a true partnership with those who enjoy this work-it’s in our DNA. As a result, we have an Advisory Team who can supplement or add new skills based on what’s needed and when.
Because the scope of development is broad, we depend on our Advisory Team to bring in their perspective and expertise when you need it.