Improving Operational Execution for a Conservation-Focused Non-Profit
Problem
A large, international nonprofit wanted to successfully integrate two major departments. The two departments had worked closely in the past but not under a shared vision and goals. The organization recognized that to sustain performance and reach success they would need to consolidate and align the operating model of both divisions. Excelerate was engaged to facilitate the analysis and development of the restructuring.
Approach
Excelerate began the project with a current state assessment which included an assessment of team culture, team performance and team behaviors. The team also conducted stakeholder interviews and PAVA analysis to understand some of the current tasks and challenges. The assessments showed that individuals were cause-motivated and had a high level of respect for their individual work and the work of their team members. Most team members felt a significant amount of purpose and identification tied to their work and individual contributions. This siloed thinking had made the idea of restructuring challenging. The team needed to understand the value of reshaping their identify into a more holistic picture – one that ultimately offered the groups the opportunity to have a larger impact by working together.
The Excelerate Team also discovered there were significant opportunities to address some of the cross-functional challenges across the organization with improve operational efficiencies. They used future state workshops to identify high-priority areas in six categories. The organization and individuals within the organization had been focused heavily on the ethical components; Excelerate wanted to help them improve the execution of it to further their success.
Results
The Excelerate Team delivered the organization a new organizational structure and operating model which would allow the organization to become more effective and efficient. Included was a full implementation roadmap with clear and specific milestones for the remainder of 2021, Q1 2022 and beyond. Lastly, Excelerate helped the organization improve their communication efforts with a grant proposal process tool and custom storytelling and messaging strategies based on audiences. Ultimately, Excelerate provided the tools, structure, and process the organization needed to successfully deliver their vision.