An organisation development strategy designed by
a Borough Council working group

A new inter-disciplinary working group wanted consultancy support in developing an organisation development strategy for the council.

Following telephone interviews with each group member, we designed programmes for two team days, four weeks apart. In order to gain better understanding of each other and to work to their respective strengths, the group members undertook the Belbin on-line team inventory as part of the project. The facilitation involved team coaching, several practical exercises, and consultant input on the topic of organisational development.

In between the two team days, group members carried out their own researches. These included an appreciative inquiry approach into existing council practices, background reading, researches of their respective professional bodies, and study visits to other authorities.

At the end of the project, the group had developed its own expertise in organisation development to back up their recommendations for an OD strategy.

An awayday for a 30-strong multi-disciplinary group

This involved designing and facilitating an awayday, at short notice, for a large group, in a small space. Using a variety of exercises, the group shared an enjoyable day and came away with a shared action plan in response to a statutory inspection report.

Team building and development for an internal service team

This newly-formed team had set a date for a team awayday and wanted help in getting the most out of the day. We started the commission by interviewing colleagues from elsewhere within the organisation. This provided valuable insights into how the team was seen by the users of its services, as well as establishing a strategic context for any value statements and action plans.

We then interviewed each team member to find their views on the team strengths and weaknesses, and their aspirations for the team. We checked out personal likes and hates to help plan the awayday, and used the Myers Briggs Type Inventory (MBTI) to help everyone gain insights into their own way of working and an appreciation of their colleagues.

The result was a pleasant, respectful and hard-working team awayday which generated a realistic, shared action plan for the team.