h kuhns hpi action plan 7673

Heather Kuhns-HPI Project

Human Performance Improvement Project:

Alpha Steel Company

ED7673 Section 2: Summer 2008

Heather Kuhns

121 Orkney Dr

Jacsonville, NC 28540

910.554.4501

[email protected]

Keith Johansen

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mailto:[email protected]


Table of Contents

Cover Page 1

Table of Contents 2

List of Tables 3

Organization: Mission, Vision, Goals 4

Performance Challenges 4

SWOT Analysis 5

Analysis 6

Intervention 8

Stakeholders 9

Trends 10

Action Plan 11

Impact Objectives 12

Data Collection, Pre-Implementation 12

Data Collection-Implementation 13

Data Collection- Evaluation 14

Isolation of Program Effects 14

Intangibles 14

Program Costs 15

Summary of Action Plan 19

Customizing Impact Plan 19

Change Readiness Characteristics 20

Change Readiness Assessment 21

Strategies to Implement Change 22

Sustainable Change 23

Motivation to Change 24

Summary 24

References 26

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List of Tables

Table 1-Performance Challenges 4

Table 2- SWOT 6

Table 3-Interventions 9

Table 4-Alloted Time on task, Historical Data 16

Table 5-ROI Action Plan 17

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Organization: Mission, Vision, Goals

The organization Alpha Steel Company (ASC) was chosen for analysis and is headed by Bruce S.,

President and CEO. This company was founded in 1989 and employs ten shop workers and five office staff

members. The company produces steel products contracted by developers and general contractors such as

framework for buildings, roofing structures and stairs, railings and light posts, etc. Work is contracted on a case by

case basis, with outside architectural drawings being utilized for production. ASC is a family owned company. The

mission statement as stated by Bruce S. (personal communication, July 12th, 2008) encompasses this structure:

ASC is a family owned company respecting the hard work and diligence of employees who are treated as

members of the family. The vision is to see future generations of our workers families continuing to carry

on the work and traditions of our current generation and keep things progressing at this level.

The strategic goals of ASC include developing a broad spectrum of major customers such as general contractors and

developers in construction to be able to react to current business climate with the capability of fulfilling the

immediate business needs of customers in steel products.

Performance challenges facing ASC

Table 1- Performance ChallengesChallenges Impact/manifestationabsence of clear performance expectations for employees no Handbook or manual for the company lack of in-house architectural staff drawings are inaccurate 50% of the time,

resulting in improperly quoting job costs and causing a delay in fabrication

timing issues in the shipping/receiving area of the shop Inaccurate and inflexible production and delivery schedule

lack of marketing kit for expansion of clients Stagnating growth- ASC needs to increase exposure and build clients

financial issues- rising costs of transporting products via trucking companies

regulatory ASC follows Federal and state regulations within construction industry

suppliers ASC relies on their chosen suppliers to have adequate materials available for purchase

There are several project topics that are interesting to choose from within ASC. The President of ASC is

this performance consultant’s father. The conversations and interviews that take place over the course of this project

should serve to bring attention to and provide solutions for areas of need within this company in order to increase

the value of ASC and make it more profitable, competitive and cost efficient.

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SWOT Analysis

Analyzing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) of a business can aid in

understanding the internal and external factors influencing the growth and decline of said company. In conducting a

SWOT analysis of Alpha Steel Company (ASC) the performance consultant, with the assistance of the president of

ASC, Bruce S., determined through interviewing and brainstorming that the internal factors ideally situate the

company in a position designed to ride out economic woes. In fact, the strength of relationships and community

values within ASC are the very factors that have fostered growth and viability in the steel industry. ASC is a small,

family owned and operated steel fabrication company occupying a special niche in constructing framework and

ornamental design work such as stairs, lamp posts, awnings, and the like. Often projects will be read from

independent architectural drawings, fabricated in-shop, trucked to a job site, and erected as contracted.

In the future, Bruce would like to see more design-build applications conducted, where ASC would

function as a one stop steel production company of sorts. This would entail retaining their in-house architect for

drawing blueprints up to code, meeting the budgetary needs of each customer, fabricating the steel to specified

layouts within the shop, and erection of the job in a timely manner. With the reputation and years of experience

within ASC this is eminently feasible. The company of fifteen employees has been in business since 1989 and has

seen only one employee leave due to relocation within that time frame. The workers take immense pride in their

work, contributing to the company’s overall productivity and dependability. ASC has a reputation of being

customer-service oriented, with on-time delivery and high rates of customer satisfaction. Simply put, ASC offers

the “lowest price and the highest service” among their competitors (Bruce S., personal communication July 18,

2008).

However, Bruce S. recognizes the changing economy and realizes the internal factors that strengthen his

company need to be shored up in response to flagging economic development. Higher gas prices affect trucking

schedules, and rising steel prices cut into profits as well. Therefore, streamlining office-to-shop procedures such as

shipping and receiving as well as cutting costs in the office through automation and eliminating redundancy of tasks

is a necessary step in ensuring the viability of ASC. The following table illustrates the determined SWOT of ASC,

indicating there are many areas in which Alpha Steel Company can be considered resilient and marketable.

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Table 2- SWOT AnalysisStrengths Weaknesses

Close proximity of office and shopSmall, close-knit “family” groupsGood relationship between shop manager and office managerStrong relationship with trucking companiesResiliency and reputation (19 years in the business)President is well versed in all aspects of the business, willing to work with the shop workersPersonal relationships between Pres. of ASC, general contractors, developers, suppliers, truckersTEKLA Systems software program

No designated job descriptionsNo designated receivers for shipments interferes with timely schedulingManagement-worker relationship is friend- friend more than employer-employeeInterrelationships within company are family basedNo marketing kit for future developmentSmall market (within 75 miles)Lack of trust in lower level managementVerbal task/job confirmation is unreliableNo streamlined method for job completion (repetition or omission of tasks)

Opportunities Threats

Cognition of all employeesKnowledge of/relationships with developersPersonal approach in marketing to developersAdvertising through reputation/word of mouthLoyalty/dependability of suppliersCompetitive pricingCapitalize on repeat businessIn house architect

Supplier dependency (inventory fluctuations)Need broader supply baseHauling/freight market is overland trucking (gas prices rising)Economy based businessSteel costs risingCompetition from larger fabricatorsLoss of knowledge/experience with future retirement of president

Analysis

Realistically, the knowledge and experience possessed by Bruce need to be disseminated to lower level

management in order to ensure future client relationships and continuation of customer service. This requires timely

communication in a structured format, as well as feedback, follow through and critical discussion among the

employees and management. Shop and office processes need to be streamlined in order to ensure continued timely

delivery and fabrication of steel products, scheduling and processing of orders, and stellar customer service and

satisfaction. This would require adopting new technology to move from informal verbal communication to tracking

sheets, accountability reports, and the like. Retaining a performance consultant is necessary to design and

implement training programs in order to educate all employees on all aspects of company processes. Creating job

descriptions and implementing active, on the job teaching (Pershing, 2006) will enable employees to internalize

what each person does in relation to the company as a whole.

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It is the view of this performance consultant that the potential problems facing ASC can be derailed with

the implementation of a consistent utilization of web-based applications to track orders from acquisition to

completion through a check-list program, as well as implementing the use of technology to automate tasks (such as

tracking received goods, scheduling, time keeping, attendance, memos) formerly conducted using paper, various

software applications or word-of-mouth. Additionally, the usage of Tekla Systems, which is an international

software modeling program being used to a limited extent within ASC, could be further employed to aid in other

areas of the business currently lacking in technological efficiency. Addressing these needs must be preceded by

training in the use of said programs as well as buy in by the stakeholders (company employees) on the value of

implementing such changes.

Overall, this performance consultant feels that the five primary components for ISPI’s HPI Model have

been met through employing the SWOT analysis (Pershing, 2006). The influences of both internal and external

environmental factors have been taken into consideration while establishing new interventions to replace the old in

order to make “As Is” into what results are desired. This SWOT analysis has provided a means of identifying the

interventions necessary to bring about the desired results (increased business and longevity) based on the perceived

strengths and opportunities ( personal relationship building, reputation, and experience) within Alpha Steel

Company.

Readings from Hale’s(2007) Fieldbook, Pershing’s (2006) Handbook and articles by Sam Adkins

concerning technology usage in businesses today allowed some tweaking of initiatives proposed for interventions in

Alpha Steel Company (ASC). The concept of Appreciate Inquiry (AI) was also eye-opening in that it addresses

performance issues in a positive manner, whereas Human Performance Improvement (HPI) seeks to determine

problems and then present solutions. As a performance consultant, focusing on the strengths within an organization

and then using those to build a better future by focusing on “positive ongoing change rather than fixing specific poor

performance issues” (Pershing, 2006) resonates with this consultant’s past experiences as an educator. AI becomes

eminently feasible as an approach to embrace, in conjunction with the 4D approach of Discovery, Dream, Design,

and Destiny as well as the concept of learning as a business process inherent in organizational functioning (Pershing,

2006).

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Interventions

Using technology as a tool to promote learning and smooth organizational process functioning is a step

towards improving the future viability of ASC. Adkins makes a striking point in his article “Radical Learning

Technology Happening Now” when he states that:

1) Learning is a core business process in the enterprise; 2) like any other core business process, it should be automated; and 3) like any other automated business process, it should be assimilated with existing integrated enterprise application suites. Once integrated with the other business processes, learning becomes just one of many key performance indicators used in continuous process improvement frameworks… (2003).

The basic premise as stated by Adkins is that “productivity is the only metric that can be modified to increase

profits. Optimizing workflow is the only way to increase productivity.” The process of automation of mundane

tasks and assimilating learning into workflow through the use of communication tools such as email, intra-office

checklists on personal computers, and posted job aids would be beneficial to ASC. These innovations would enable

the company to grow into its future vision of a specialized niche within the steel industry, an increased customer

base, and more stability within the organization.

Using the Job Aids presented by Hale (2007) in her Fieldbook clarified potential interventions. The

following table organizes selected interventions and possible implementations.

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Table 3-Interventions

Information Focused

Define Create job descriptions to help workers determine job responsibilities, expectations, and accountabilities

Inform Communicate through regularly scheduled meetings built in throughout a contracted job

Email weekly progress reports to project manager

Employ team-wide pc desktop-accessible checklist for job completion

Design Focused

Organize Merge functions/tasks of workers through automation/software usage

Rearrange reporting structure and team relationships (not all report to/rely on Bruce)

Capacity and Capability Focused

Develop Expand skills and knowledge of problem-solving through mentoring, coaching, OTJ experience with Bruce

Training in software usage to automate tasks/ use pc job aids

Mini clinics in sales/customer service/problem solving (role play, Q&A, debriefing sessions)

Stakeholders

In order to accomplish these interventions, complete and unanimous agreement on goals of the company

and direction for the future must be determined. Currently, the reporting system in place hides accountability and

creates an inefficient and inconsistent workplace environment. Involving everyone to create buy in and build on the

family atmosphere will facilitate the creation of new reporting structures, checklists of task completion to inform all

on the work team, and make workers knowledgeable of their specific job requirements and expectations, building in

accountability and responsibility as well.

The performance interventions and proposed strategies to close the gaps in ASC performance changed

minimally, however, they became more organized and purposeful through categorizing each into specific families.

This enabled viewing of groups of interventions, producing a unifying vision of implementation. After meeting with

the team of employees at ASC and determining a final goal for the company’s future growth, final decisions can be

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reached on proper motivational factors as well as consequences for not meeting expectations. Some training will

need to be implemented, from train-the-trainer programs to one-on-one mentoring and OTJ coaching. ASC, after

restructuring basic communication processes, relearning how to work together for a common goal, using efficient

and time saving methods, and understanding job expectations and responsibilities should unify and grow into their

emerging niche of Design-Build.

Trends

Roth (2002) emphasizes technological challenges:

Current trends indicate that information integration is a cross-industry challenge.Industries from financial services to manufacturing have all been touched by the volumes and diversity of

data and continual demands introduced by an Internet-based business model…The challenge for today's enterprise applications is to reach out across the company and across the Internet to integrate and transform the volumes of available data as quickly as possible into information assets that bring new insights and new business opportunities.

ASC is a small company. They are positioned to grow with plant capacity and knowledge. However,

technology usage at other partner companies is not as advanced as that in use at ASC so two different technology

programs are implemented in order to satisfy both customers and business needs. This mode of operations is not

cost effective. Employees need to be trained in two different software applications, which curtail project efficiency

and completion. Industry-wide applications would be a benefit to growth and development, as well as curtailing

costs of training and implementation of programming. Maltzman (2003) believes that

To create synergy between strategic goals, objectives, and strategies….four essential elements are needed: communication, alignment, accountability, and feedback…Financial managers should continually stay active in their organizations' strategic planning activities and share ideas for improvements with others. Greatest support should be directed toward objectives that are responsive to environmental changes; coincide with organizational missions, values, and goals; and allow for objective analysis. By aiding unified implementation and execution of strategy, financial managers will best position their organizations for long-term success.

Maltzman (2003) also asserts that “The real key to accomplishing any of these goals is to make this process

a part of your company culture and daily routine. If you can accomplish that, process improvement will become a

continual part of your company culture.” He suggests employing the use of five steps for strategic goal planning in

every employee job description. These include:

make it a group effort use the coaching method start with the end in mind establish mini-milestones follow through.

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ASC can conduct operations in this vein by employing several suggested interventions, among them train the trainer

programs, one on one coaching and debriefing sessions, employing a performance consultant to create formalized

job descriptions to ensure responsibility and efficiency among workers, and emphasizing the motivational aspects of

increasing productivity (profit sharing and bonuses). Ensuring complete buy in among employees is nearly

guaranteed when working with the mindset within the shop’s workers that money is the driving factor toward

working harder. Creating methods for completing jobs in a more time- and effort- efficient manner would enable

even greater participation in interventions designed towards the same.

Haig and Addison (2005) state in their Trendspotters article that:

Performance consulting departments will be established and endure, providing measurable and valued results to processes and the organization [and will] see a significant drop in the prevalent search for the “quick fix” for performance issues and a major increase in the delivery of sustainable, long-term, systemic solutions.

Haig mentions that performance consultants will need to act with more focus on business and work centered results

rather than focusing on individual performers within an organization. This works for ASC in that they are such a

small company and work maximum jobs with minimal workers. Singling out individuals wouldn’t serve to increase

overall performance as much as implementing overall changes within the structure and processes of ASC.

Streamlining tasks and automating mundane processes would contribute to greater efficiency within both office and

shop.

Action Plan

Enhancing the efficiency of organizational processes is the trend targeted for this action plan. Increasing

the availability of time while cutting costs of labor and management will provide ASC with financial assets needed

to create a marketing kit as the next phase of interventions. The long-term goal of ASC is to become a Design-Build

company specializing in full-service steel design and construction. This niche is available and will serve to secure

ASC’s future growth and viability within an unstable market.

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Impact Objectives

The objectives of the strategic plan are:

to streamline completion of daily mundane tasks such as data entry

enable cross referencing of customer needs and deliveries

scheduling and tracking orders/job quotes/work reorders

task completion check off

shipping and receiving documentation and scheduling

time keeping

budgeting with spreadsheet usage

These processes are all necessary in running an organization in both marketing and production of steel products

such as Alpha Steel Company. Increasing the efficiency of processes will also meet the goals of the employees in

decreasing non-billable hours worked. Implementing Extranet DataTune will help ASC manage all processes within

a single application. This will allow for completion of billing in minutes rather than hours, streamlined customer

care and increased customer credibility with professional web pages and interfaces. Additional benefits include

providing clients with real-time access to contracted jobs, more accurate invoices, a link to QuickBooks to

streamline accounting, and quote audit trails to track electronic delivery of messages. All of these capabilities are

web-based, with no software to install and automatic upgrades/updates included in the service.

Data Collection: Pre- Implementation

Baseline data will be collected through communication with all stakeholders in brief meetings at the onset of the

action plan implementation to gather ideas on perceptions of business process completion and what would be

desired. Hale (2007) suggests using the nominal group technique ( NGT) format to give all involved an opportunity

to contribute ideas to what is important and needs to be considered in this action plan. Other baseline data collected

will be measurable goals of each employee in order to facilitate alignment with company goals and future objectives

of ASC (development into a Design-Build company).

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Employee goals consist of the following:

eliminate double entry of data through utilizing one application vs. three software programs

(Expedition, QuickBooks, Microsoft Office/Spreadsheets)

reduce data management hours in order to fulfill job detailing requirements

reduce data management time-increase customer service concentration

streamline processes to free up valuable coaching time/on the job problem-solving

reduce operational redundancies in order to free up time to create a marketing kit design

reduce wasted time (money) and rededicate resources to marketing

Data Collection-Implementation

Gauging the reaction (Level 1 of Phillip’s Five Levels of Evaluation) of implementing such a system is the

first step in introducing a change in processing. Employees are willing to pursue the action plan as outlined in order

to reduce time spent on data entry and management. Developing an evaluation plan simultaneously will ensure that

each desired performance as it is defined will have a corresponding measurement assigned. For example, if

“eliminate double entry of data” is required, then a measure of success put into place would be “Customer’s

information was cross referenced into job listing, contractual fulfillment, payment information in QuickBooks, and

customer satisfaction survey response” with one entry.

Data collected during the implementation of the strategic plan will occur at weekly intervals and will

consist of tracking the adaptability of employees to Extranet DataTune, task completion, accuracy of record keeping,

and convenience of use as well as frequency of problems experienced in application and reduction of time spent on

each task. Determining through data collection such as observations, post-implementation questionnaires, and

regular individual meetings will assess if learning (Phillip’s Level 2) has occurred. Monitoring use and observing

attitudes about Extranet within the office climate as well as tracking time spent on automated tasks such as data

entry will enable management and the performance consultant to determine if Application (Phillip’s Level 3) has

occurred.

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Data Collection: Evaluation

After successful completion of assimilation of Extranet DataTune into daily organizational processes has

been completed a survey of satisfaction will be conducted. One month post-implementation should provide enough

time and experience with the program for all employees to be well-versed in using the various components in their

daily task completion. The questions asked come from Phillip’s as well:

How important is this information/training to me now?

How relevant is this program to my job now?

How do I intend to use this program/training now?

Would I recommend this program to others?

A discussion with all involved would be scheduled after surveys were collected and classified, one month post-

intervention in order to determine the impact on the daily functioning of ASC after implementing Extranet into

organizational processes (Level 4 Phillip’s Levels of Evaluation).

Isolation of Program’s Effects

Isolating the effects of the program should prove readily accomplished as Extranet will completely replace

all previous diverse components utilized to track job performance and tasks within the company’s daily

management. A comparison of hours spent on each task before (see Table 4) and after implementation will be

compared and presented to stakeholders in order to prove validity of the use of Extranet within ASC.

Intangibles

Intangibles, such as increased job satisfaction, morale, less stressful work environment, more confidence in

abilities to complete tasks and view contracts more holistically, will be measured through observation and

conversation. Pershing (2006) indicates “When people are more competent, knowledgeable, and confident, they

contribute more to the bottom-line results of the organization”. Therefore, attention to these immeasurable but

important benefits is critical in accomplishing the goals of creating a more efficient, productive work environment.

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Program Costs

The hiring of a performance consultant will be the major cost of this action plan. It is estimated that a total

of 80 hours will be spent in the first phase of the intervention; collecting goals and baseline data, compiling

information about job performance, observing the organizational processes at work, and introducing ExtraNet

DataTune to the company employees. Bruce and the performance consultant (PC) determined a fair fee of $80/hour

for the consultant. A fee of $6400 (80 hours x $80/hour) will be charged at the conclusion of phase one of this

action plan. Further visits to ASC by the consultant include four weekly and three monthly assessments for

evaluation purposes and will be charged the same rate. Future fees are estimated at $1280 (8 visits x 2 hours each=

16 hours x $80/hour=$1280).

As there is no need for provision of a training room or office space for the PC facilities are not a cost. The

performance consultant will be working with each employee in their respective offices to provide one on one

coaching and hold question and answer sessions concerning goals, opinions of the new program, etc. Additionally, a

conference room within the ASC building will suffice for meetings, work space, and debriefing sessions. The CEO

is interested in keeping costs to a minimum in order to redistribute finances to a marketing kit in phase two of

interventions. This arrangement is suitable for both parties involved.

The cost of ExtraNet DataTune is $50/user/month. Therefore, four users from ASC will cost the company

$200/month x 12 months for a total of $2400 annually. This service fee includes online tutorials and a help desk to

facilitate training and development of skills related to program usage. This is an intuitive web based application,

allowing for users to advance in competency at their own pace. This reduces the cost of the action plan in that no

specialized training is called for; eliminating the need for retaining another trainer and avoiding associated costs.

This is a second factor underlying the benefits of this recommended intervention.

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Information used to calculate Program Benefit is complied from baseline averages in historical data: see Table 4.

Table 4~Alloted Time on Task

Managing organizational processes

2 employees~ $20/hr. billable rate

Hours/week Managing organization

2 employees~ $40/hr. billable rate

Hours/week

Managing sales 10 Managing sales 25

Managing vendors 10 Managing vendors 20

Managing quotes 10 Managing quotes 15

Creating invoices 10 Creating invoices 20

Performing knowledge management 5 Performing knowledge management 10

Tracking work orders/deliveries 10 Tracking trends/business health 5

Documenting work 10 Documenting work 10

Total non-billable hrs./wk 65 Total non-billable hrs./wk 105

Non-Billable hrs./month 520 Non-Billable hrs./month 840

Extranet saves (50% average reduction) 260 hours Extranet saves (50% average reduction) 420

Value of saved hours (65 x $20 x 2) $2600/mo. Value of saved hours (105 x $40 x2) $8400/mo.

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Table 5~ROI Action Plan

Name of Organization: Alpha Steel Company, President: Bruce S.Trends from TrendSpotters Menu to be Addressed: Implement new programming to facilitate organizational processes

Improvement Measure: Time/Cost of Conducting Organizational Processes Action Items to Facilitate

Demonstration of Potential ROIDate Results ROI Impact Analysis

Meet with management and stakeholders to discuss the cost of manually completing reporting and business management tasks in diverse applications vs. employing an automated, integrated system.

Meet with all employees to survey time spent managing information, entering data, completing spreadsheets, tracking orders, etc. Replace the current multiple applications system which requires that employees often have to double enter data in various programs, working with spreadsheets, databases, etc. There is no communication between programs.

Review data from past software applications as examples of previous efforts

Provide an overview of DataTune Extranet capabilities and compare/contrast previous methods with proposed options

Oct. 1

Oct. 3

Oct. 4

Oct. 10

Completing management of information in a single application using a high-speed automated system with capabilities to interface with email, Blackberry and cell phones is expected to save 50% of time.

Combining time tracking software, CRM software, ERP software and billing software, the Datatune Extranet integrates organizational processes into a single, web-enabled interface while lowering costs and increasing efficiency.

Employees of ASC and customers alike can access necessary data outside the office as well as create track audit quotes, integrate intuitive web-based applications for management of contracts, and enable swift job site problem solving, saving ASC hours in redesign and rework.

Streamlined office procedures and organizational management will prepare ASC for future business growth and the implementation of a marketing kit. ASC will entice further customers into contracting with a technologically diverse, one-stop steel company. DataTune Extranet is customer-friendly as well and can be accessed by mobile users.

Value of saved hours$8400/ month* X 12 month = $100,800year

Value of saved hours$2600/month* x 12 month= $31,200 year

Costs$200/month x 12 months=$2400 (automatic upgrades)Performance Consultant fees $6400($80/hr x 20 hr/wk x4 wks.) initiallyPC follow up fees $1280($80/hr. x 16 hrs.over 8 visits)

Total Costs = $10,080

TOTAL ANNUAL ROI POTENTIAL:$132,000

BCR= $132,000= $13.09$10,080

ROI= $121,920 x 100 = 1209.5% $10,080

Intangible Benefits: More efficient work environment. Ease of use of new programming benefits in less stress. Increased job satisfaction.

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Summary of Action Plan

An action plan with ROI calculated is conducted for ASC using information gathered through previously

mentioned collection methods from stakeholders outlined above. Each participant in the planned interventions

proceeds with goals newly aligned with ASC future objectives. Each employee is motivated by monetary gain and

by intangible benefits such as easier task completion, efficiency within organizational processes, credibility with

customers, competency with new technologies, and readiness for future growth. Maintaining communication and

capitalizing on the family atmosphere within the work environment will facilitate both buy in and accomplishment

of objectives. Historical data collected determined averages for time spent on each allotted task as shown in the

table below. This is the baseline data. It will be compared with data collected at four weekly intervals after

complete assimilation of new programming (Data Tune) is complete and then monthly thereafter for a period of

three months. Complete familiarity with Data Tune Extranet should be accomplished at that point and employee

satisfaction surveys will be administered to judge the effectiveness of this non-training intervention as well as gauge

the meshing and meeting of personal and company goals. It is at this point that the second stage of interventions

(creation of a Design-Build marketing kit) should commence. Isolating the effects of the programming will be

simple as hours spent prior and post implementation can be compared. This action is concerned with time used

effectively. Outside motivational factors such as the need to finish work early or meet with a client should not

impact the overall timing of job completion when averaged over a week or month of work.

Customizing Impact Plan

Customizing an impact study to present to stakeholders demonstrating the effects of the implementation of

the strategic plan will occur through the dissemination of data compiled at the onset of the action plan detailing

hours spent on each task (see table 4 above). This will be shown in comparison to current time allotted to each task,

in conjunction with anecdotal evidence provided by participants in their questionnaires. ROI will be calculated

(Level 5 Analysis-see Table 5) and presented in conclusion as the action plan is positioned to evolve into the next

phase of interventions, creating a marketing kit to promote ASC as a Design-Build company. Use of new

technology and the enhanced professionalism of dealing with clients using Extranet DataTune will promote

confidence and credibility with potential clients for future business, as well as ensure return of faithful customers.

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Haig & Addison (2005) present evidence concerning functioning levels of performance consulting:

To operate effectively at the process and organizational levels, we require new skills and knowledge. Some of these may include: Rigorously applying the CPT Standards to our work, and calling them out to our clients Discovering how businesses are structured, what makes them successful, and applying that knowledge to

our performance improvement projects Learning to specify the business need for every project we take on Structuring all projects for meaningful measures, including ROI Actively seeking alliances with senior managers to learn about the businesses we serve, and how

performance consulting can help them be successful

These methods would work with ASC in that this steel company is engaged in actively looking for ways to grow and

develop from a steel fabrication shop into a Design-Build entity that can occupy a specialized niche within the steel

industry. By virtue of its size, the commitment of its employees to maximize profit and ensure future growth and

viability, and the determination of Bruce, President, to facilitate future takeover by competently trained individuals,

ASC is ripe for performance interventions. Bruce has succinctly summarized the problems within the company, and

outlined potential solutions with the assistance of the performance consultant. Implementation is next, and strategies

to do so begin with discussion and cooperation of all employees/stakeholders, as well as determining an effective

and workable time frame (five years) and hiring both a marketing coordinator and a performance consultant

specialist. ASC is poised to overcome economic trials and with the Design-Build project firmly fixed in mind as the

outcome, will be successful.

Change-Readiness Characteristics

The organization Alpha Steel Company (ASC) is currently operating on the teetering brink of change and

stagnation. McLagan states in her article The Change-Capable Organization (2003) that:

[Change] is an ongoing challenge and condition in organizational life. Yet, most organizations are designed to support stability. We plan, organize, and control. We operate according to rigid organizational charts and old-style decision and innovation processes... Increasingly, success depends on fluidity, openness, learning, and a pervasive capacity to make evolutionary and even radical changes.

McLagan (2003) iterates that the characteristics of a change-ready organization include the ability to link present

and future, learning as a way of life, ensuring diverse teams, encouraging mavericks within the company, sheltering

breakthroughs and building a deeper trust from management down. Though these characteristics are not the sole

emblems of worthiness to allow change to flourish in an organization, they certainly go a long way towards

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encompassing the major areas of change readiness. Hale also presents the importance of sustaining change, and in

the role of performance consultant (PC) it is important to determine sponsorship of change in order to prevent loss of

accountability and “continued incorporation of a program’s principles into everyday practice” (2007). “Hale goes

on to say that: “Organizations are terrible at succession planning and rarely think of it in connection with programs”,

emphasizing again that part of the role of a PC is to include those plans in change process implementation.

Change-Readiness Assessment

ASC is ready for change. Bruce S. acknowledges the need to compete in today’s changing markets. A

fluctuating economy is a trend that can not be ignored in the steel market industry. Rising fuel costs and raw steel

prices impact the bottom line, decreasing profit margin and endangering the security of ASC. Additionally, ASC

currently functions as a supplier of fabricated steel purchased through contracts. Outside architects render the

buildings design in consultation with the client; ASC bids on the contract, and produces, erects, and details the

project. The rest of the building (interior and such) is left to someone else. ASC would like to develop into a more

specialized niche. Capturing prospective clients with an idea of a “turn-key” general contractor, a veritable one-stop

shop for all components of a contract from estimate and sketches to erection and detailing, ASC can offer everything

in one place to new, and repeat, customers. That is decision making now with the future in mind. ASC is ready to

assume the change process to make this goal a possibility. Strategies to become Design-Build include:

completion of a marketing kit for advertisement purposes

adoption of new technology to more efficiently conduct organizational processes

increasing business enough to open a second shift

creating a knowledge friendly culture

opening communication within the office

Strategies to Implement Change.

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In order to compete, Bruce is setting the creation of a marketing kit as a business goal of major importance.

Exhibiting the characteristic of linking present and future, similar to Swatch’s new watch with communication

capabilities, (McLagan, 2003) ASC intends to innovatively transform itself into a Design-Build company in order to

occupy a specialized niche within the steel industry. Building on their core competencies of experience, strong

customer service, client-contractor relationships, in-house architect, and a highly motivated employee base, ASC is

looking at filling their business load with new clients, starting a second shift to best utilize space and equipment, and

broaden their operations-base.

ASC leadership is looking into new technology as the vehicle to drive evolution into Design-Build. This

performance consultant introduced a new web-based application to ASC that will streamline organizational

processes, reduce data management hours, and enable the company to focus on development of a marketing kit to

draw in new clientele. Using the new program, ExtraNet DataTune, will enable the company to present a more

professional and polished look to the market, as well as link customers and projects, track orders and job schedules,

manage quotes, cross reference records, and generally provide management of organizational processes in a more

integrated and efficient manner. This implementation will serve to mount the barrier to change that is the

technological competence of ASC at this juncture.

Additionally, creating a ”knowledge-friendly culture” (McLagan, 2003) can be achieved through job

shadowing, regular coaching in the field, and modeling by senior management the continuous search for more

efficient and productive methods of conducting business. The president exhibits a willingness to explore new

options that may not be industry standard or “the way we’ve always done things” in order to increase profit and

productivity. A by-product of testing new ideas can potentially include streamlining operations and minimizing

extraneous costs.

More open communication within ASC will enable the company employees to understand each other’s

roles and responsibilities as well as share knowledge and strategies to problem solve. Scheduling weekly business

meetings, debriefing after contract fulfillment, engaging in regular problem-solving skill builders, and on-the-job

coaching will promote more open and consistent communication and knowledge sharing among employees and

management. This benefit will need to be stressed and utilized by Bruce, as he strives to transfer knowledge of best

practices, problem solving skills, and customer service skills on to employees with a view of retiring within the next

five years.

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Pershing (2002) indicates that mentoring has organizational benefits as well. Among these are:

increased productivity: skills strengthened through partnerships increase efficiency and effective

work completion.

cost-effective development of skills: mentoring/coaching is done outside of company time,

mitigating costs and speeding competencies through “just in time” training.

Cost avoidance: savings through avoidance of expensive training if the job/trainees do not fit

well.

Recruitment efforts: facilitation of growth and development are desirable. This will be important

to ASC as they seek to grow and diversify, necessitating future hires in sales and marketing.

increased retention: “The best and brightest stay with a company that cares about their

development” (Pershing, 2006). This is evident in ASC’s current rate of retention (nearly 100%)

but again, could impact future growth.

enhanced image of the company: public recognition that mentoring equates to caring

developmental environment.

achievement of strategic goals: “organization results are better when everyone knows the

target…creating a more competitive edge” (Pershing, 2006).

Mentoring benefits not only the organization, but the protégé and supervisor as well. It is important to conduct

training in mentorship, as well as stress the goals and expected outcomes, monitor partnerships, and provide

opportunities for feedback to all involved in the process. Mentoring as an added intervention at the completion of

phase two of the action plan as new hires are adopted into the company can be a successful way to integrate the new

and the experienced seamlessly.

Sustainable Change

Selection of a sponsor for the change process, as explained by Hale (2007) is critical in both planning for

the change process and ensuring sustainable growth. Bruce has selected his Vice President to be responsible for

continuing to implement changes needed in order to remain at the forefront of the steel market. The assessment at

this time indicates that maximum return on investment is possible with strong sponsorship in place, combined with

determination to develop a marketing kit and grow into a Design-Build niche. The VP is involved as a major

22


stakeholder in all developments, training, decision making, and organizational problem solving enabling him to be

well-versed in all aspects of ASC in preparation to assume responsibility in the future.

Motivation to Change

Employees are motivated to change through a variety of factors. Monetary gain is a major external

motivator for employees as increased profits lead to larger bonuses in the company’s profit sharing program. 25%

of net profits are distributed based on performance evaluations among all employees in the form of cash bonuses and

IRA contributions. Employees are also somewhat “locked in” to their job situation. According to Bruce S. (personal

communication, August 21, 2008), employees have been with ASC from the beginning, nearly two decades ago.

Their skills have developed into such specialization, and the employees work together as a unit, functioning

inexplicably as a chaotic whole, getting the job done but in a highly unusual way. It would be difficult to begin

anew in a more organized company, so determination to stay is a highly motivating internal factor.

Summary

Nelson (2000) makes the point that performance consultants and management need to be willing and

involved in making connections with employees, to determine their motivation and use it, as well as provide

feedback. Working with Alpha Steel Company (ASC) has provided this performance consultant a unique

opportunity to work with a small company eager to embark on a new journey, prefaced with the

development of a learning environment

creation of preliminary plans to design and implement a marketing kit for advertising

setting a plan in place for organization and streamlining of company procedures and data

management processes

emphasizing the necessity of internally sharing knowledge and information in order to keep ASC

viable

The President, Bruce S., is looking at developing in-house potential and exploiting an economic and industry-wide

lack of specialization. He is seeking to develop a marketing kit to promote a Design-Build facet of the company so

that ASC will become a virtual one-stop steel shop; providing clients with architectural drawings, measurements to

code, fabrication, processing, and delivery of framework steel as well as erection and finishing of contracted jobs.

23


This provides an opportunity for unparalleled customer service and continuity of a job for both the client and the

provider of services (ASC). Working towards managing this goal and the business it could bring in is paramount to

the President of ASC. With the implementation of these interventions, ASC will teeter over the edge of ambiguity

onto the side of change and begin their journey on the road to future development with competency and confidence.

24


References

Adkins, Sam S. (2003). Radical learning technology happening now. T+D., 57 (11) 65-73.

Bellenfant, W. & Nelson, M. (2002). Healthcare Financial Management. Retrieved August 19, 2008 from

http://findarticles.com

DATATUNE EXTRANET home page retrieved August 29th, 2008 from www.Datatune.com

Haig, C. & Addison, R. (2005). Trendspotter: Future Watch featuring Gary Rimmel.Retrieved August 19, 2008 from ISPI.org

Hale, J. (2007) The Performance Consultant’s Fieldbook (2nd Ed). Pfeiffer. San Fransisco.

McLagan, P. A. (2003). The change-capable organization [Electronic Version]. TD, 57, 51-57. Retrieved September 5, 2008 from http://ezproxy.library.capella.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=8855747&site=ehost-live.

Maltzman, S. (2003). Strategic planning: five rules for implementing your plan. Custom Home. FindArticles.com. Retrieved from Aug. 19, 2008. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0MOR/is_3_13/ai_101010018

Nelson, B. (2000). Long-distance recognition - motivating and praising employees at a distance. Workforce. FindArticles.com. Retrieved Aug. 19, 2008 from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FXS/is_8_79/ai_64694301

Pershing, J. (2006). Handbook of Human Performance Technology. ISPI Pfeiffer. San Francisco.

Phillips, J. (2004). Myths and Mysteries of ROI. Audio presentation from Capella University retrieved from www.capella.edu on August 28th, 2008.

Phillips, J., & Phillips, P. (2003). Using action plans to measure ROI. In R. Chevalier (Ed.) Human performance

technology revisited. 262–271. Silver Spring, MD: ISPI.

Phillips, P. (2004). Show Me the Money: Moving From Impact to ROI. Audio presentation from Capella University retrieved from www.capella.edu August 28, 2008.

Piskurich, G.(Ed). (2002). HPI Essentials. ASTD. Alexandria, VA.

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