Strategy workshops
Building buy-in and identifying achievable aims are fundamental to the Gracechurch approach. We believe in examining the art of the possible - as opposed to the science of the impossible - at an early stage. We nearly always recommend the appropriate client team participates in what we call a Discovery Workshop at the outset of a project. Not only does this build buy-in to the overall aims but, if properly facilitated, will identify probable outcomes and the likely actions needed to make progress. Some activities can be started there and then, whilst enthusiasm is still at a high level.
Surprising facts often emerge at these start-off meetings. A recent workshop unearthed that our client's products, which were positioned as complex and top of the quality range, were actually being sold predominantly on price alone. An urgent change to their sales enquiry process was in order, so that quotations weren't sent out in advance of the "benefits" pitch being made.
Gaining commitment
Getting agreement and commitment on the way forward can be tough in a professional firm. Sometimes an external facilitator can help break the cycle of endless debate and help a partner group reach some conclusions. The following two quotes are from emails following recent sessions with professional firms:
Thank you for your help on Wednesday and the way in which you kept us to our agenda, challenged us and most importantly ensured that we came to a conclusion at the end of the day. The outcome was just what we were looking for.
Many thanks for all your hard work. You did an excellent job in directing and managing the discussions and helped to bring out a number of key points and commitment from that team to get involved in the process in the future.
If you'd like to meet with us to discuss the issues involved as well as how to plan and implement a successful programme, please contact Steve Blundell on +44 (0)207 220 4480 or email sblundell@grch.net.
Gracechurch Legal Futures
GLF is a portrait of the global legal industry in 2007 - the size and strategic structure, drivers and trends. The aim of the study is to allow firms to test out their own strategies against the expert model. Through a facilitated board discussion, the firm's own business plan is examined in the context of this vision and the critical success factors - germane to the individual firm - are deliberated and verified. As a minimum, a firm can be much more confident that their strategy is robust. And it may be that some, previously unacknowledged, crucial issues are addressed.
Related information
- Understanding the market
- Setting direction
- Developing business
- Implementing plans
