Client Outcomes
What does all of this actually look like in practice? Below is a sampling of client projects.
A global manufacturing company creates a new culture through leadership development - virtually
A global manufacturing company had never quite managed to create a unified organizational culture. Add to the mix generations-old locations with differing norms, and they faced a fractured, competitive organization with leaders who managed with top-down approaches that did not engage the workforce. DGOC worked closely with the senior leadership to design and facilitate an innovative, 10-month-long leadership development program for 100 leaders across the organization which created connections across siloes; supported the implementation of consistent, shared processes; and transformed the way leaders worked with their teams - and with each other. Leaders across locations and functions share best practices and support each other, and the company as a whole is making great strides towards a culture of engagement and participation. All of this was done virtually in the midst of Covid - it can be done!
A clean-energy financing startup figures out who they are and creates effective internal processes
A company based in Chicago, IL and and Denver, CO provided financing for contractors and builders using energy-efficient products - or so they thought. They knew they had a great product, but weren’t as successful as they expected. With DGOC’s help, they began developing internal processes where none had existed before: for sales, information sharing and organization, getting customer feedback, working with their external partners, and more. As we implemented more effective ways of working, we helped them see that in fact, they were also financial management and consulting practice - with more than just financing to offer. They increased their productivity, customer engagement, and efficiency; and even more important, uncovered and gained confidence in their strengths and abilities to offer their clients more than ever.
A 100-year old public institution in the midst of a major identity shift & staff transitions sees a new way forward
A public library in Indiana, USA was in the midst of an identity shift: from a quiet place for academic study to a vibrant community hub where people go to create, connect, and learn together. In addition, a new director and a decades-long employee’s retirement were shaking up the library’s staff and structure. DGOC worked with the library’s full staff of 32 to develop shared vision, mission, and values statements which increased engagement and energized staff at all levels to work towards an exciting idea of the future. Throughout the project, DGOC worked with the leadership team to work through differing reactions to the changes, which entailed working through conflict and creating avenues for open and effective communication. Along the way, we developed customized implementation plans for leadership to help their staff and clientele through the transition. We finished with a cohesive team with clear goals and a roadmap to achieve them.
A technology staffing company with a leadership change & fluctuating market finds agility, innovation, and direction
In Amsterdam, The Netherlands, DGOC worked as a team of four with a technology staffing company undergoing a major leadership change and facing a fluctuating market. The company’s CEO of 17 years was retiring, leaving new leaders to support the company through a lack of qualified candidates and uncertain market conditions. The leaders and staff knew they needed to change, but had so many ideas they weren’t sure where to turn or how to implement them. We performed an in-depth needs analysis to strategically prioritize areas of focus for the new leadership, and helped create the conditions for innovation by providing tools and strategies to make decisions and implement new ideas. We left more a confident leadership team with a support network of staff and strategies to make effective decisions into the future.
“Diana did an excellent job of explaining the process and making sure that I knew what to expect all along the way.”
Additional Projects
DGOC is also involved in various projects related to the field of Organization Development and the goals of transforming the possibilities of what people believe they can achieve. To find out more, please contact us. These include:
Open Conversations Project: a part of Societal Transformation Labs through MIT’s Presencing Institute, we work to create frameworks for open, curious, transformative conversations between people who hold different values, beliefs, and ideas to learn from each other.
Deliberately Developmental Organizations: Creating a series of programs about a groundbreaking framework, first developed by Harvard’s Kegan & Lahey, based on “the simple but radical conviction that organizations will best prosper when they are more deeply aligned with people’s strongest motive, which is to grow.”
Organization Development Network of Chicago (ODNC): As co-president of ODNC Diana Goldberg, DGOC’s founder and principal consultant, has been guiding ODNC through a full strategic planning process, revitalizing its membership, and building a strong, cohesive and diverse Board of Directors. We’ve increased our membership by 22%, and our board of directors has grown by 71%.
Mastermind Group: Diana runs a Mastermind group for women in non-traditional careers. Mastermind groups provide a structured meeting format where members work to define and achieve their goals. The idea of a “mastermind” was first introduced by Napoleon Hill in 1920’s and 30’s, and has recently taken off as a way for peers to support and provide accountability for each other.
ChicagoCAC: The Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center is a non-profit which brings together public, private, and community partners to reduce the trauma of abused children. Diana has been on ChicagoCAC’s community advisory council since 2016, where she co-facilitates meetings; advises on the prioritization of legislative and community issues; and participates in developing and carrying out the council’s mission, vision, and values.