Situation

Our client was an industry association in a situation where the government was going to provide funding to stimulate the particular industry area. The company was in need of an organizational strategy and restructuring in order to qualify for the funding.

Challenges

The main challenges we faced on this project included:

  • Forming an organization representative of the industry to acquire the necessary funding
  • Consolidating all of the groups under a single organization that would be self-sustaining and not in need of government funding after a three year period
  • Addressing the many factions within the group, all equally strong-willed and all possessing a certain amount of paranoia towards other groups
  • Dealing with the presence of differing interests — resulting in difficulties in articulating/identifying what the groups required and desired
  • A requirement that the work be completed within a tight time frame

Actions

To address these challenges, our consultants:

  • Conducted strategic and operational planning for the groups to help them develop their organization
  • Assisted the organization in identifying potential opportunities for funding in order to eventually become self-sustaining
  • Assisted in the consolidation of groups by bringing forth the underlying vision of the organization, while understanding each group’s issues
  • Provided an objective approach as an unbiased third party

Results

At the conclusion of the project all the key success factors had been achieved, and the client was highly satisfied with the project deliverables and the value added by Schroeder & Schroeder Inc. Our actions resulted in:

  • Different groups putting aside their distrust to effectively communicate their needs and concerns with one another
  • The successful incorporation of the ideology and vision of the group to achieve the client’s objectives
  • A business plan that effectively and positively conveyed the interests of all involved and established an investment vehicle
  • A business plan that enabled the client to set up the necessary board and to hire the appropriate staff
  • The development of a future visioning document that is an action guideline for the years to come
  • Successful receipt of the government funding for the project
  • A 25% increase in membership