At Starboard Leadership Consulting we get many calls for help – whether to manage a project that is beyond the internal resources of the organization or to design and facilitate a process to achieve specific outcomes. While the word "facilitation" usually conjures up images of flip-charts, colored markers, and managing group dynamics, at Starboard we are much more frequently called upon to manage multi-faceted projects and processes for our clients. More than running a good meeting (which we can certainly do), we help clients to develop processes to get the work done and get decisions made.
Examples of our Project Management Work
- Faced with the loss of funding for its core program and the collapse of its historic business model, a large health and human service agency sought Starboard's assistance in managing a comprehensive process to explore new business models, make difficult decisions about disposing of assets, navigate legal and financial challenges, and put in place a new governance structure. With our assistance, a volunteer team, supported by the board of directors, met with dozens and dozens of individuals and organizations and explored a broad range of options before ultimately providing the framework for a new business plan. That plan has resulted in exciting partnership opportunities for the organization, an energized and engaged board of directors, and real hope for the future.
- Doing more with less is a reality for so many of Starboard's clients, and we have been called on, more and more frequently, to help organizations search for and find savings. For one of our higher education clients, this has meant working with them on efforts to reduce expenses associated within two of their administrative departments and to consider with employee groups and bargaining units the potential for savings within their health and retirement plans. In both cases, they counted on Starboard to design a process that ensured there would be a thorough review of the options, an opportunity for all voices to be heard, and concrete recommendations that could be implemented immediately. While the savings they've realized are one clear sign of success, we are also proud of the fact that they are seeking to replicate the process we used in other areas of the organization.
- Confronted with the results of a Department of Health & Human Services review finding of "program failure," we supported one CEO through an extensive process of responding to each recommendation for change issued by the department. Our support of the CEO included helping her to strengthen her management team and staff development program, improve supervisory channels and the organization's on-call system, better document key practices and the agency's accountability to state and federal standards, and form an Advisory Council comprised of guardians, consumers and providers to the agency. Our coaching also helped the CEO recognize and reinforce the many best practices already exemplified by the agency. As a result of our support over 8 months, the CEO reports new confidence and has earned approval from the department to move ahead with plans to expand.
- Gauging whether a business or organization is ready for major expansion or change is often a time when leaders call us for advice and coaching. In one situation we were approached by a Bangor-based business owner who wanted to open a second facility in southern Maine. However, our review of the business' financial situation and our confidential interviews with key management and staff revealed some major liabilities and vulnerabilities. Our advice to the owner was to hold off on his plans for expansion, shore up key weaknesses in his fiscal oversight and accounting systems, and deal with festering personnel issues. We provided support at every step of the way as the owner lacked experience and confidence in taking some of the necessary steps. The results – although not what the owner originally envisioned – a stronger and more harmonious staff and a decision to hold off on expansion until the business is on a more solid financial footing.
- For over two years, Starboard has supported the efforts of Maine's family organizations to enhance their relationships and collaborations with one another, deepen their network, and strengthen their collective voice on behalf of Maine families of children with disabilities and special health-care needs. Starboard has provided process design and meeting facilitation at every step of the way. Results include a shared vision, mission, and set of values, a social marketing plan supported by each of the partners, collaboration on events to strengthen the voice of the Maine families they serve, and a durable resource of trusting relationships upon which to further their work. Our ability to support the formation of the Maine Alliance of Family Organizations has been more than a consulting contract; it's been a privilege.
For more information please contact us at: 207-992-4400
