Firm Beliefs Client Projects
Many of our clients are happy to provide testimonials but, because of the often confidential nature of what we do in terms of market impact, they prefer not to be named. We have therefore taken the decision not to name any of our clients.
However, our clients are always willing to talk direct to prospective clients on a confidential basis. Please contact us if you would like to discuss Firm Beliefs' services with any of our clients and we can send you their details.
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The issue
Trustees from an old and well-respected charity were facing hitherto unexperienced demands from the management of the charity. Those demands were relating to the future strategy and implementation of the charity. The trustees had come to realise that their own skills were not sufficiently robust or up to date to enable them to judge the feasibility of the management's recommendations.
The outcome
Trustees, having developed their own commercial skills and knowledge, were better able to liaise with managers, were more willing to trust and rely on the management which in turn enabled a cohesive, positive relationship between board of trustees and management. New governance procedures and operational structures were put into place. Existing organisational procedures were simplified and rationalised. This in turn enabled the charity to drive forward with its plans for the development in to new sectors of its stakeholder markets.
The process
Discussons took place both individually and in small groups between members of Firm Beliefs, trustees and senior management. Areas of common concern were identified. Firm Beliefs worked with the trustees and senior management over the course of 4 awaydays, within the course of 6 weeks.
For the trustees, a basic training in terms of financial, HR, marketing and operations management was prepared and delivered, as well as an update on legal obligations. Senior management shared in the delivery of this programme, alongside Firm Beliefs so that the trustees could begin to realise the experience and expertise of their senior managers.
For the senior managers, a basic grounding in the issues of governance facing the trustees was delivered, using trustees to co-deliver the training alongside Firm Beliefs.
Outcomes from the sessions included changes to organisational structures and practices, which had buy in from both trustees and managers.
Why did the project work?
Says a trustee 'we employed managers who in reality were far better able to do their jobs than we gave them credit for. By getting them to train us in what they were able to do, it gave us an insight into their world and how we had been hindering them.'
Says a senior manager 'our team suddenly realised why trustees are risk averse. We understood their constraints. We worked together. We now have an excellent working relationshp which has led to real changes in our organisation which means we can deliver what we need to do to those in the community who rely on us.'
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