These case studies represent a sample of the diversity of
personal and business matters and issues I work with clients to change.
I. DIFFUSING DIFFICULT WORK ENVIRONMENT;
CAREER MANAGEMENT AND TRANSITION; LIFE BALANCE and RESPONSIBLE RELATIONSHIPS
The Situation
A senior executive in a global financial institution found herself
in a turbulent department that had 5 managing directors in a 4 year
period. Her latest supervisor tended to be toxic: deceptive, non-communicative,
arrogant, demanding and egotistical. New to the area he also lacked
the technical skill set she possessed. The client initially sought
assistance in diffusing the difficulties and for career management.
The Solution
The original focus was to identify the source and nature of the
difficulties. We used The IRAP Way™
to identify the resistances encountered. We discovered that while
the majority of obstacles were the supervisor’s attitudes
and behaviors and the organization’s culture and biases, the
client was responsible for communication breakdown. She agreed to
concentrate on mastering compassionate communication skills and
embraced developing her Human
Personal and Social Capacities. We strategized to leverage her
existing network of influencers beyond her department to divert
some of the negativity, and to position for an inter-departmental
initiative that might lead to a department transition. Strategies
were also actively developed to shift the blame / responsibility
paradigm present in the group generally.
The Results
The client diffused many of the obstacles by transforming the director’s
perceptions of her as a threat into seeing her as a resource. She
embodied the Personal Capacities of self-control with gentleness
in her dealings, demonstrated self-awareness to avoid habitual traps
and repetitive reactions, and called upon presence of mind coupled
with her steadfastness to resist his inappropriate onslaughts and
remain focused in a grounded and detached fashion. Her boss was
turned into an asset as he became an ally supporting her selection
to develop the inter-departmental initiative she had planned. She
received a strong six month review highlighting her management competencies
and team building skills, which the director attributed to her improving
awareness and social faculties!
After transforming the daily difficulties in the office and becoming
aware that she was not responsible for the dysfunction, the client
decided to seek a career move and leave that enterprise. We clarified
her visions, values and desires and developed a multi-faceted strategy
to target new opportunities. I coached her to approach the search
maintaining alignment with her authenticities and acknowledged reputation.
We improved her negotiation skills, called upon improved political
awareness and she accepted an offer to lead the United States office
of an international financial venture. I switched hats to Advocate
and represented her in preparation of an employment agreement. We
negotiated a secure structure and an increase in compensation, as
she transitioned into a new, growing area of her industry.
We continue to work together improving her leadership and management
skills as she manages the US office and a larger team. We plan strategy
and tactics for personal and firm improvement. By virtue of this
transition she now works regular hours and is enjoying improved
family connections. We also address responsible relationship, parenting
and life balance matters as I coach her as a whole and complete
individual. Click here to
see way this client says.
II. TURN AROUND BUSINESS; LEADERSHIP
COACHING
The Situation
A 25 year old graphic design and marketing company had been in trouble
for over a year. It had experienced explosive growth in the late
‘90s dot com craze, growing revenue over 400% and expanded
to over 30 employees. When the bubble burst business tumbled rapidly
to the point of negative cash flow, idle workers and mounting debt.
The business represented the only financial support for the principals’
family, and if it had failed they would have suffered substantial
and possibly devastating personal loss. Employee morale was terrible,
the company in dire financial straits and the constriction in business
choking.
The Solution
On this project I wore all of my hats as business consultant, legal
advocate and coach. After lengthy discussions and review of key
financial data, I traveled to their location and sequestered in
a conference room with the principals, their accountant and the
company’s books and records. Over a period of very long days
and nights I analyzed and assessed the business, including the financial
situation, facilities, customers, company and personal exposures,
processes and operations and personnel. I worked with management
to prepare budgets and immediate, short term and longer projections
accounting for a multitude of scenarios. We evaluated options including
downsizing, liquidation, bankruptcy reorganization and possibilities
of a sale or strategic alliance.
The principals were convinced they could turn the company around
if given a three month window to downsize and re-trench. We created
detailed financial and operating plans to collect outstanding receivables,
reduce expenses and manage cash flow, consolidate personnel and
facilities, and market in a new and broader fashion to capitalize
on pre-dot com strengths, while maintaining the remaining clientele.
Due to the large number of unknown and uncontrollable variables
and possible legal complications, we prepared a number of alternative
action plans.
I coached the principals through the human and social interactions
they encountered in the downsizing process, including the formulation
of exit compensation packages and separated employee support. For
a period of months I became the de facto COO, in constant communication
with management and support workers by email and telephone. My assistance
included receivable collection, cash management, new job negotiation,
personnel and staffing issues. I coached the president through the
deeply difficult and emotionally draining experience of two waves
of downsizing and then into the re-building phase.
The Results
The good news: over one year later the company is profitable, the
principals’ personal exposure alleviated and the organization
is operating as a tight, team-oriented venture.
Click here to see what
the client says.
III. BUSINESS GROWTH, MANAGEMENT and
LEADERSHIP IMPROVEMENT; TEAM BUILDING; EXECUTIVE FEELS UNFULFILLED
The Situation
The client’s architectural firm was not growing in the direction
or as rapidly as desired, there were employee morale and attitude
issues and the principal felt unfulfilled, as if the treadmill never
stopped running at the same old pace. He was originally an artist,
and he hoped to create alternatives to grow the business to a size
that would permit him to divert a portion of his attention to personal
fulfillment. He requested a complete evaluation of the business
operations and help in developing strategies to grow and become
more profitable.
The Solution
I evaluated and analyzed the firms operations, processes and structures,
personnel and areas of expertise. It became apparent that the principal
and his key personnel had enormous creative skills and talents,
not equaled by management commitment or leadership understandings.
Employee issues existed, to a large extent, as the result of ineffective
communications and a lack of efficient, standardized procedures.
The principal also needed to develop his communications and sales
skills in connection with closing new business.
Together we re-engineered the entire work flow process, paying
particular attention to time management and efficiencies in this
highly creative, time sensitive business. Simultaneously I coached
him in compassionate communication techniques as we strategized
on both the big picture and the specifics of potential new jobs.
The Results
We developed new procedures to control work from initial client
contact through job completion. The client has improved his sales
and communications skills through coaching, and brought in a number
of new projects. The increase in business lead to hiring a new professional.
This created issues with an established manager and the principal.
I developed a team coaching program for them as we implemented an
organizational change in the basic company structure and the processes
for producing work.
Coaching diffused the difficulties that initially surfaced from
the addition of a new team member and the revision of the companies’
operating procedures. We succeeded in improving efficiency, and
hence profitability. We are in the process of integrating all of
the team members into new, defined roles in this refreshed environment.
Communication and collaboration between the principal and staff
has significantly improved. We continue to fine tune the team work
flow and develop capacity to create “space” for the
principal to divert a portion of his time to other personally fulfilling
areas.
IV. ENTREPRENEUR SEEKS BRANDING and
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT; COMPANY STRUCTURE and PERSONAL GROWTH
The Situation
A highly skilled profession in a niche services business sought
to establish his unique brand and identity and grow his practice.
He was frustrated and trapped in bad customer relationships, experiencing
difficulty changing his model and clarifying and establishing his
brand recognition. He felt out of synch and unfulfilled in making
the switch from employee to entrepreneur.
The Solution
As I worked with this client, it became clear he had a number of
distinct yet related talents and skills that served as the basis
for his industry analyst - media exposure business. A key to his
success was coaching him to recognize and endorse all of these talents
and project his brand in light of the range of his skill set, while
maintaining a tight focus on the niche of his work. We initially
concentrated on these aspects of self awareness and utilized value
and visioning exercises to achieve clarity in purpose. Once he owned
the central nature of his services and worth, his expertise took
control to illuminate his brand.
In turn we naturally formulated marketing and business development
plans for the short and longer term, based upon his expertise and
visions. Simultaneously, I coached him on presentation and negotiation
strategy and compassionate communication skills. A structure evolved
for the form of his business whereby he is pursuing stand alone
opportunities and strategic alliances to leverage cross-promotional
possibilities internationally.
The Results
His business now has an identity that reflects the unique benefits
he offers his clients. We created a company structure with accountability.
He has become clear and focused on his personal and business visions
and how to identify each with distinction. As a result the company
is running smoother and he is achieving more personal satisfaction
from business.
He has adopted a practice of establishing responsible boundaries
in his relationships. The habitual dependence on overly demanding,
unfulfilling clients has transformed into relationships of promise
and long term agreements as his brand becomes recognized internationally.
We continue to work together to grow the business and fine-tune
his personal quest for balance and fulfillment in all relationships.
Click here to see what
the client says.
V. COACH NEEDED LIFE SUPPORT CHANGE
The Situation
The client, a coach and consultant, contracted an illness that required
her to drastically change her diet, deleting processed and junk
foods and replacing them with freshly prepared foods and lots of
liquids. The client was a junk food “junkie” who disliked
cooking.
The Solution
We employed The IRAP Way™
and identified the client’s resistances to changing habitual
negativities. We examined values and integrities, tolerances and
practices. We then developed strategies to transition from junk
food dependence to healthy eating and developing cooking skills.
Through a program with strict accountability the client transformed
her health-depleting obstacles into healthy eating practices.
The Results
The client transformed her eating habits and was able to control
her illness. She stopped eating processed foods and learned to cook.
She instituted practices of awareness and self control to follow
her prescribed intake regiment and now feels better, is more vibrant
and made the required life change necessary to improve her own physical
health. Click here to
see what the client says.
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