needs analysis, system development, continual improvement and management training

enabling strategies to support SMEs Companies frequently find that they could use resources with special expertise to help face particular problems arising in both their management and their administration.   The fresh approach of outside experience, insight and know-how, applied when and only when needed, can quickly determine exactly what improvements can be made and where to increase day to day efficiency and profitability.

Pooling our distinct, yet interlinked resources allows us to deliver a more complete and effective range of solutions to our customers, in particular as they are faced by the challenges of an ever more competitive marketplace driven by information needs.

The AXIS approach focuses attention on the planning and control of work and office tasks in order to meet the ever more competitive conditions of business. Real time decision-making support, efficient management of sales leads and optimized administration workflow are all important factors in improving profits and market share.

Strategically, we help our clients break down their financial goals throughout the company into progressively shorter-term operational objectives. This approach facilitates improved two-way communication flow through all levels of management and office staff.

AXIS operational expertise lies in smoothing out the work flow both within and between different areas of your business. Our management support systems are client-tailored to optimize task scheduling and highlight problems in sufficient time for management to react effectively. Moreover they lead to a continual upgrading of office performance and provide each level of management with a set of tools to evaluate progress against predetermined goals. In smaller companies this can be based around the development of a customized administrative system, particularly if company growth has been rapid, necessitating upgrade of now out-sized administrative setups.

opportunity, partnership and enterprise

Instilling modern business methods and instruments within an existing business infrastructure provides a major challenge for companies. AXIS, a multi-lingual European organization with experience in local business and cultural ethos, operates as a vehicle to integrate such business and financial skills.

The large multi-national management consultancy groups find it difficult to offer sufficiently tailored and cost-effective solutions to Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).

Company growth being secured through the optimization of cash flow, our expertise in the installation of management support systems enables SMEs to increase internal income sources and hence improve the working capital position. At the same time, corporate financial strategy ensures that there is suitable consideration between the business operating cycle and working capital requirements.

Our approach typically consists of three distinct project phases:

• phase I: analysis
• phase II: implementation
• phase III: continual improvement.

benefits to management and employees alike

• proactive management and the greater involvement of staff
• less "fire fighting" by management and support personnel
• improved communication between departments
• identification and resolution of problems at the appropriate level with improved problem awareness by management
• definite operational goals with the ability to keep on track
• real time information reporting for more informed management decision-making
• smoothing of task bottlenecks
• identification of training requirements for both management and employees
• compatibility with existing ISO standards and procedures.

why can’t we do this ourselves?

We devote much time and resources to work planning and organization alongside the training of client supervision and management. Further management training can also be tailored for executive and project managers.

In partnership with our clients, we can accomplish in a relatively short time what might take clients several years to achieve on their own. Coming from the outside, we are in a position to surmount traditional obstacles to enterprise, having no vested interests in existing work systems and procedures.

Managers and department heads find it difficult to solve certain problems when they are necessarily tied up in the day-to-day demands and details of running their own parts of the company. Through evaluating existing systems, controls and management practices, AXIS offers a new perspective on old problems.

We are committed to maintaining ongoing post-project partnership with all our clients, and we view this as a natural prerequisite to the repeat and referred business that we thrive on.

phase I: needs analysis

An analysis of your operation as it currently stands. This takes up to a week for SMEs, longer for large or multi-site companies.  The evaluation of improvements for our clients consists of:

• your projected annual return on investment
• breakdown of improvements by site/area/department
• preparation of a project proposal
• project schedule by calendar weeks and the number of on-site person days necessary
• cost versus savings projection by calendar week.

At this stage, the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are identified, along with any specific improvement areas based upon operational, statistical and behavioural analysis of your organization.

Project co-ordinators are appointed at the start of the needs analysis. They will then be trained by us during the implementation stage, phase II, with specific focus and responsibility for the perpetuation of improvements upon project completion. We submit a detailed report of our findings and strategic recommendations for your organization immediately upon completion of the needs analysis.

phase II: management system development and implementation

We work together with all levels of management in:

• rolling out clear operational targets and objectives throughout your organization from financial goals agreed at top management level
• support system design (supervisory control, weekly reporting and management review)
• the development, agreement and documentation of these systems with your office management
• on-site management and co-ordinator training to ensure the effective utilization of the management concepts and tools developed
• weekly savings accumulate upon installation of the management support systems area by area
• supporting the development of effective management behaviour through motivating managers to achieve better results and make more effective use of the systems.

Setting and communicating company goals is critical from the outset. Agreement in the development, installation and ultimate refinement of our management support systems is paramount to success at every stage.

Our personnel, together with client management, review and address the weaknesses apparent in the existing operation. Our training focuses on system concepts and their application in the office or workplace on a daily basis.

The new management support system developed in each area of the client operation both drives and facilitates measurement of improvements. "Buy in" of the new system by your personnel is increased as managers and office personnel understand that they themselves are the owners of the improvements generated.

phase III: continual improvement programmes

Post-project follow-up and perpetuation of the improvements subsequent to phase II. We see our primary task from this point onwards as one of support to maintain your improvements and further increase the return upon investment.

Ongoing partnership both with management and co-ordinators secures the continued improvement of your operation through the reinforcement, enhancement and upgrading of systems. A continual improvement programme encompasses:

• weekly communication with us to review the management report and savings for the previous week
• agreement of priorities for the following period
• action plans to translate new goals into specific actions
• post-project on-site audits and fine tuning of the installed systems
• review and updating of operational goals and targets to reflect improvements in performance
• identification of additional opportunities for improvement
• our "Help Desk" for the client to address specific issues, problems or concerns that may arise
• refresher courses to reinforce system concepts and office behaviours with both existing and future staff.

At the beginning of phase III a continuous improvement plan is set up with the targets for the coming year defined as an action plan. Our on-site role is progressively reduced during the follow-up phase to compel your management and department heads to achieve targets themselves.

Weekly review of the key business indicators, management and savings reports with you serves to highlight any problem areas, allowing your management to take timely preventive action. At the same time, regular on-site audits ensure that compliance and commitment to the installed management systems remains high.

management training

aims

Our range of 1 to 5 day programmes are designed to enable managers and professionals to reach a deeper awareness of different cultural factors in project and team management.

Through exercises, discussion, presentations, and role-play, the participants will relate more clearly to the cultural values, attitudes, behaviour, and leadership styles of their partners in, for example, the USA, Europe, South Africa, as well as their own environment.

The participants will learn how to develop their own leadership and management styles, and thus make the best use of the attributes of their team. They will also begin to recognise how and when to modify their own behaviour and practices for more effective cross-cultural communication.

programme content

The project manager as a leader:

• what is leadership, what is it not? leadership values, philosophy and personal attributes
• identifying challenges to team leadership
• practising leadership – what should a leader be, know and, most importantly, do?
• how should we relate leadership to the many roles of the project manager – executive, planning, expert, representative, arbitrator and mediator, exemplary symbol?
• distinguishing between technical and tactical competence for effective leadership
• a model for leadership behaviour
• self-analysis of leadership – how do we see ourselves as leaders? what are our team management strengths and weaknesses?

Setting goals:

• team objectives and goals – how do we establish and set these? how do we communicate these goals? how do we break these goals down into smaller, more manageable operational targets?
• tracking goals and team performance as a means of highlighting problems in sufficient time to take preventive or corrective action
• reviewing goals for a continual upgrading of performance.

Inside other cultures - case studies:

• different views of leadership and project management from around the world – Europe, America, South Africa
• role-plays and discussion to highlight the key factors in managing and working with people from other cultures today.

Working across cultures:

• how to adapt your messages, structure, language, and performance style to make the maximum impact on your intercultural audience.

Knowledge and learning in project management:

• sharing a mission, vision and values and underpinning these through training at all organizational levels and developing a team culture.
• intellectual assets management through business intelligence and knowledge management tools
• what are the barriers to learning and how can we overcome them at both management and team member levels?
• continuous improvement programmes.

Project management tools:

• project approach, resource allocation and co-ordination, milestone and project reviews on deliverables, reporting structure, action plans.

Meetings for effective project management:

• project meeting structure and scheduling – daily/weekly planning and review meetings.

Getting the message across:

• securing agreement upon your objectives, contrasting the project manager and team member viewpoints
• selling ideas and concepts through the use of features and benefits
• open-ended versus closed statements.

International English:

• the use of English in international environments
• the use of English as a language medium between non-native speakers
• avoiding pitfalls
• dealing with communication breakdowns.

How can I benefit from this?

• summary of learning points from the exercises, case studies and role-plays
• practical suggestions for real situations
• how to keep learning.

our approach

Active participation on the part of the group is both encouraged and expected. The trainer and contributors provide real life experiences as examples of successful project management. These are then supplemented through role-play and exchange with and between the group members.

Animated slide presentations and comprehensive seminar notes serve to help the participants subsequently apply the leadership and project management concepts in their own working environments. AXIS training seminars and programmes are held either on site at the client offices or suitable hotel and conferencing facilities.

our trainers/facilitators

The lead trainer will be an experienced Project Manager from AXIS Strategy Consultants, with further input from other trainers and project management specialists. Resumés of trainers and contributors can be provided.

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59 avenue Victor Hugo - 75016 - PARIS

Telefax: +33(0)1 39.21.74.61