Maximising The Value Of A Pivotal Team

Overview

An independent, dedicated asset manager with a strong heritage and culture requested our expertise in creating a learning and development initiative to help maximise the value and contribution of a critically important function. They wanted to further enhance the impact it has across the organisation and in the wider business landscape.

Our Role

The training request came from the Company Secretary. His team plays a vital role in ensuring effective governance in the firm and in advising the board on all governance matters. In addition to that advisory role, the team provide a wide range of services to the organisation – from the maintenance of the firm’s registers and books to the filing of annual returns and financial statements; from supporting the work of the board and its schedule of meetings to helping to ensure full compliance with rules and regulations.

It was essential to create a tailored initiative – built on a thorough and detailed understanding of the work the team does, the challenges it faces and the contribution it makes.

Based on research meetings with key stakeholders, we designed four discrete but integrated half-day workshops – centred around the role of the trusted adviser and delivered at intervals that provided an opportunity to transfer the learning to the workplace.

The workshops were highly interactive – built around a powerful combination of individual and team activities, brainstorming, problem-solving, scenario analysis, role-play, reflection and action planning.

Each member of the team completed the four half-day workshops and was able to confidently and effectively use assertive communication, handle difficult conversations and further enhanced their personal presence and impact – thereby maximising the value of the contribution the team, as a whole, makes to the firm.

Outcome

Confident team ready to make an impact

The workshops provided participants with the opportunity to explore and engage with the content – participants were attracted by the trusted adviser concept – and the need to focus on high value aspects of their contribution within the team.

There was a core theme around confidence – helping people to have personal confidence in their own ability and skills – whilst providing a safe environment to discuss areas of concern and/or development.

As a result of the value and successful implementation of this programme back in the workplace, this initiative was rolled out to two other core teams within the firm – procurement and tax.