To learn a bit more about what gOE does and how we do it, here’s a small sampling of our experiences:
Team Effectiveness:
…”the finest piece of bespoke research” he’d ever seen in his career….
We studied industry analyst teams for a European-based investment bank. Our research revealed insights about how to best structure industry analyst teams, recruit and select analysts, compose analyst teams, develop those teams to be successful, and motivate desired behaviors. The study produced empirical findings that in some cases ran contrary to leadership’s expectations, including how best to structure “winning” teams. Their head of European research described this study as “the finest piece of bespoke research” he’d seen in his career.
We went off-shore to observe teams on oil rigs…
For a global energy company we supported their exploration and production teams. We went off-shore to observe teams on oil rigs and spent time with their on-shore counterparts. We established protocols and guidelines for helping those on-shore/off-shore teams communicate and work together effectively. We developed and conducted scenario-based team training to ensure they were ready to handle both routine and emergency events.
A Navy pilot returning from a mission on an aircraft carrier reported that the training saved their crew’s life.
We were among the first to develop team training for aviators when we worked with the U.S. Navy. We helped design team training and debriefing techniques for air crews, taught “Tiger” teams of trainers how to lead team training, and conducted cutting edge research on team training techniques. A Navy pilot returning from a mission on an aircraft carrier reported that the training saved their crew’s life. Our work was part of a decade long effort to build a culture of teamwork in the aviation community.
If we can determine how to help teams thrive in a tiny space capsule to Mars…
NASA is interested in determining the best ways to select, compose, and develop crews for long-duration space exploration. Our work for them focuses on how to form teams that will thrive together, how to build team resilience, and how to use debriefing to create self-sufficient teams. If we can determine how to help teams thrive in a tiny space capsule to Mars, other team challenges may appear a bit easier! As part of this effort we will be using our TREO team roles tool, which is also being adopted by the US Army for use during their leadership training.
We’ve taught medical teams how to conduct debriefs and our tools have been used in a variety of medical settings…
The medical world has discovered that many patient safety problems are the result of teamwork breakdowns. For the last several years we have worked with various medical teams, helping them coordinate better and improve patient care. Our funded research in this arena has supported medical team training efforts such as TeamSTEPPSTM and led to the development of debriefing advancements for medical teams, including the first version of our DebriefNow tool. We’ve taught medical teams how to conduct debriefs and our tools have been used in a variety of medical settings, for example, with Forward Surgical Teams as they prepare for their deployment to Afghanistan.
We’ve worked with and educated medical teams in a variety of settings…
For example, we diagnosed teamwork challenges in cancer care teams and helped them improve their effectiveness. We’ve educated medical students and healthcare professionals on teamwork and built practical tools to support them.
Change Management:
Despite concerns that this would be an extremely disruptive change, a follow-up effort revealed that this was the smoothest large-scale change they had ever experienced.
We supported the roll out of a new banking system across the entire enterprise at a large regional bank. We worked with the change team to develop and implement a change plan; helped prepare leaders, managers, and employees; and conducted post-implementation pulse checks to assure that change was working as intended. Despite concerns that this would be an extremely disruptive change, a follow-up effort revealed that this was the smoothest large-scale change they had ever experienced. As a key leader described it, “you provided us with insightful, useful information and tools we can use today to be more effective managers and change leaders.”
“…they exceeded my expectations…and I have high expectations!”
At a global pharmaceutical company we assisted in designing and implementing a fundamental change in their compensation and performance management practices and systems. We worked shoulder-to-shoulder with a large, diverse change team to build a change plan that clarified expectations and conditions for success, and established tangible action plans for a global roll-out. We developed working sessions to prepare their change agents and line managers and designed measures to assess progress and adjust the plan. The head of their internal consulting group said, “I was so pleased with the outcomes – they exceeded my expectations…and I have high expectations!”
Since the time of our work with them, this organization has consistently been one of the top rated.
We worked with a large HMO to develop a strong customer-service culture. We worked with them to identify the expected behaviors and the obstacles to customer service. We developed and implemented a series of interventions designed to increase their customer focus, including an improvement in internal customer service. Since the time of our work with them, this organization has consistently been one of the top rated HMOs in customer satisfaction.
…”it transformed the way we work and collaborate.”
For a global energy company we developed a series of change management plans to help them through several challenging changes. We also conducted workshops to build leader and team change readiness. The project leader for one of the efforts noted how it “transformed the way we work and collaborate.”
Training, Learning, and Employee/Management Development:
We assessed and modified training for the Alaska Smoke Jumpers…
We assessed and modified training for the Alaska Smoke Jumpers (the brave individuals who parachute from planes into fire zones to extinguish fires). We observed them during their training both on the ground and in the air. Based on our recommendations they modified their training to apply scientifically-sound instructional principles and better prepare their trainees for their challenging assignments.
We observed their training and drills on land and at sea…
For a large cruise line we reviewed their safety-related training practices. We observed their training and drills on land and at sea, interviewed their trainees and trainers, and provided them with advice on how to better incorporate the science of learning to ensure their training is realistic and effective.
We’ve been involved in the development of a wide range of team training interventions…
We’ve been involved in the development of a wide range of team training interventions in military, medical, and corporate environments. We ensure that team training incorporates instructional design elements that have been empirically proven to enhance team performance and we’ve taught the Science of Teamwork to thousands of team members and leaders.
We helped an energy company develop their global learning strategy…
We helped an energy company develop their global learning strategy, including the redesign and refocusing of their L&D function. We have also provided advice to L&D leaders in many organizations and partnered with internal L&D professionals to build or re-design specific training offerings, for example, modifying a training curriculum with a large bank and designing management training for a retail organization.
…make well-informed decisions about how best to invest training resources…
We’ve developed and implemented techniques for gathering and analyzing critical information about training requirements. This approach has been used by US and international military organizations to make well-informed decisions about how best to invest training resources to ensure trainee readiness.
Leadership and Organizational Culture:
Their chairman has stated that they “would not be where they are today” without our help…
At a financial institution we’ve worked closely with the CEO, the top leadership team, and the board of directors. We’ve facilitated numerous meetings to build constructive working relationships and implement meaningful board effectiveness guidelines. We’ve enabled them to develop and periodically update their corporate vision, strategy, key indicators, and culture. Their chairman has stated that they “would not be where they are today” without our help over the years.
…”this work will most definitely influence how we develop the Navy’s leaders for the operational level of war.”
We’re worked with senior military leaders over the years. For example, we’ve taught high-level Officers in the prestigious Strategic Studies Program at the US Naval War College. We’ve also led working sessions with military officers in the US, UK, and Sweden. Our military contact after a session with the Admirals noted that “all the feedback we got was incredibly positive…this work will most definitely influence how we develop the Navy’s leaders for the operational level of war.”
We’ve facilitated many leadership meetings and provided advice to numerous senior leaders.
We’ve facilitated many leadership meetings and provided advice to numerous senior leaders. A few examples include: for a leading company in the weight loss industry, we worked with them to clarify their strategic priorities and establish targeted action plans to advance their innovation agenda. For a manufacturing and consumer products company, we facilitated strategic planning meetings with their senior leadership team. For a large regional accounting firm we guided the leadership team to establish their future direction and working guidelines, and provided advice to their senior leader. At a government research laboratory we conducted a series of workshops to establish their short- and long-term R&D priorities; for a Staffing firm we’ve led their annual business retreats; and for a not-for-profit firm we provided advice to their senior leader as they underwent a strategic restructuring.
Work Analysis and Success Studies:
We identify the factors that empirically predict success…
We’ve conducted success model studies for a variety of jobs. For example, for an insurance company we studied claims handlers (service centers) and account managers (a sales/relationship role). For a credit card organization we studied business leaders with profit/loss responsibilities, and for an energy company we studied information technology managers. In our success model studies, we compare highly successful and less successful job incumbents to identify the competencies, background, work experiences, job techniques, and other factors that empirically predict success. Based on the studies, companies are able to improve their recruitment, selection, performance management, and employee development processes, typically deploying tools we develop that incorporate study findings.
Team success model studies reveal why some teams are highly successful…
We’ve also conducted success model studies at the team level, for example, of investment analyst teams at an investment bank. Similar to individual studies, team success model studies reveal why some teams are highly successful and yield insights about how to raise the performance level of all teams.
…data have been used to guide training decisions up to the highest levels of the US military…
With our partners in the US Air Force Research Lab, US Air Combat Command and Aptima, Inc. we’ve developed an innovative process (MECSTM – Mission Essential Competencies) for identifying the competencies needed in combat situations. Each MEC project begins with facilitated workshops that actively involve deep job experts (e.g., fighter pilots). We then capture survey data from a broad range of job incumbents. Finally, it culminates in a facilitated session where decision makers use the results of the MEC analysis to make informed decisions. The MECS have been very well received because we listen carefully to the most knowledgeable subject matter experts. MECS data have been used to guide training decisions up to the highest levels of the US military and have been successfully employed by military units in the UK and Sweden. As reported by one of our contacts, “your commitment to get the best and most valid data was noteworthy – only authoritative data will compel the investments and decisions that need to be made by our leadership.”
Human Resource and Organization Development Capabilities:
We’ve helped the top HR team at a number of organizations to establish the future direction of their HR functions…
We’ve helped the top HR team at a number of organizations to establish the future direction of their HR functions. For example, we’ve facilitated planning meetings for the HR leadership team of a global pharmaceutical company, a large energy company, an insurance company, a well-known consumer brand, a retail organization, and a financial institution. We also regularly provide advice to leaders of HR and OD teams and have helped them establish clear expectations for their HRBPs and internal consultants. An HR leader described us as “an awesome sounding board” – a role we proudly fill!
We have conducted consulting skills workshops for thousands of HR professionals…
We have conducted consulting skills workshops for thousands of HR professionals in many countries including the US, UK, Italy, Portugal, Canada, and the Netherlands. And gOEbase, our OD toolkit, has been adopted by over 400 organizations globally, including one-third of the Fortune 100.
We’ve taught HR leadership classes all over the world.
For example, we taught HR leadership classes for a well-respected Fortune 100 company in both the US and China, providing them with skills and tools to help them grow as future HR leaders.
We’ve provided HR measurement expertise and helped build certification programs for clients.
We’ve provided HR measurement expertise to a global consumer products company, conducting ROI analyses, designing key metrics, and training their internal consultants how to use measurement in practical ways. We’ve also helped build certification programs at an insurance company and a luxury retailer and provided survey-related support at many companies.
We have provided tools to over 600 companies globally…
Through our online OD toolkit, gOEbase, as well as developing bespoke tools, checklists, methodologies, assessments, webinars and more we have helped HR, OD, Learning and other professionals to diagnose and resolve business issues in ways that enhance organizational effectiveness.
“I learn so much when gOE comes to town.”
– Business leader at a global energy company