Until recently, top companies who were unhappy with
their working capital performance had just two
options:
Option 1 - The External Consulting
Approach
Companies we have talked to listed several areas
of dissatisfaction with conventional consulting.
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Companies don’t like
to pay for large teams of external
consultants many of whom may be young
and inexperienced. They feel
uncomfortable that a great deal of
experience gained on projects is
benefiting the consulting staff and not
their own people. |
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The high consulting
fees for a global improvement programme
tend to require board approval, delaying
the programme and increasing risks for
the sponsor should the project not
deliver. The high costs will inevitably
offset some of the benefits gained. |
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Companies describe a
vacuum of technical and consulting skill
after the external consultants leave.
This is often seen as the start of the
deterioration of benefits. |
Option 2 - The Internal Project Approach
There appears to be a trend for more and more
companies to be turning their back on conventional
consultancy and implementing change programmes
internally. This option has many benefits including -
no external fees, experience kept in house and more
ownership of new ways of working. Areas of concern
with this option are related to limited skills and
experience:
 |
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A lack of technical
skills in, and understanding of, up to
date working capital methodologies.
There is a concern that the new methods
and processes implemented may not be
leading practice. |
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A lack of depth of
consultancy skills and experience
including project management and in
particular change management. Companies
know that if they can’t change their
people’s attitudes (mental models) then
no matter how good the processes and
methodologies are the project may under
perform or the benefits may not be
sustained. |
These factors increase the risks of failure of
internal projects.
Now there is a third Option - The JustOne
Approach
JustOne provide the missing skills, methodologies
and experience that clients need to identify and
deliver the required improvements. We provide just
one experienced consultant (project director) who
will help select client staff to act as Internal
Consultants (ICs). The project director will train
the ICs in technical aspects of working capital and
the consulting skills they will need to facilitate
project implementation and then support and coach
them up to and including project closure. The
benefits of this approach include:
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External fees are
usually less than 20% of a conventional
project. With most of our clients this
has been funded without the need for
board approval. |
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Skills exchange and
experience from the project provides
unique development for client staff
(ICs) who develop working capital and
project implementation expertise. These
skills, particularly change management,
can be used for future company
initiatives. |
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The ICs stay after JustOne
leave so there is no skills vacuum after
project closure. |
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JustOne
experience and proven approach reduce the risk of
project failure and improve benefit sustainability. |
Please see “JustOne Business Model” for more
details.