Get the right people on the bus.

Situation
A growing company in a small city was experiencing escalating administrative expenses with declining productivity. All key decisions were being made at the top of the organization. It was thought that below-market salaries would keep administrative costs down.

Our Approach
Analysis quickly revealed that most salaried staff members had been performing their jobs in much the same way for many years, despite the growth in sales and increasing complexity of the business. Process improvement projects were initiated to eliminate waste and improve quality and productivity. People who could not (or would not) improve were asked to leave the organization. A personality matrix was developed to assess prospective hires for key management positions. Competitive salaries and benefits were offered to those candidates who met the company’s requirements for both temperament and functional skill.

Results
Communication and teamwork improved dramatically. Every administrative department improved productivity and quality, and achieved challenging goals without adding staff. Department heads make day-to-day decisions quickly and collaboratively. S, A&G costs (as % of sales) reached a six-year low.