Case studies

Please select a case study from the list.

Supporting Restructuring at a Local Authority

Challenge: A local authority was in the process of reorganisation which resulted in people having to apply for their own jobs, sometimes more than once and sometimes in competition with colleagues. Morale was low, there was an air of negativity everywhere and individual relationships were becoming fractured.

Solution: POD ran a series of workshops to help those affected to present themselves in the best light. The workshops covered CV writing and Interviewing Skills.

The workshops were energetic and confronted the real situation. Initially participants were reluctant to talk about themselves in front of others with whom they may be competing for a job. However, with the help of a skilled POD facilitator barriers came down and the atmosphere became more constructive. Participants were urged to ban negative thoughts and focus on their achievements, even in the recent months when they felt they were going nowhere. The group sessions were followed up with individual coaching.

Result: Feedback from the client two weeks after the end of the assignment stated that there was a visible “turnaround” in the attitudes of a great many people impacted by the changes. Typical individual case studies are:

  1. The senior executive who had worked with the Council for most of her working life, was able to acknowledge her deep emotional ties with the employer, discover her own identity and find the confidence to move on.
  2. The middle manager who had adapted well to previous organisational changes and had widened his skills base was able to see how marketable he is and that both the public and private sectors will welcome his knowledge and experience of managing change.
  3. The team-leader who was spending all her energy in motivating others and neglecting herself was able to focus on her own needs.

The reputation of the authority is restored, the feelings of the people affected have healed and there is a much more positive feeling everywhere.