On the way to a new corporate culture: the VBLP potential analysis as a prelude to successful cultural change
A change at the top of a company often entails far-reaching changes. At our customer, a medium-sized industrial company, this was the reason for a comprehensive cultural change, which started over a year ago and will continue in the future. How has the company mastered this challenge to date and what role do VBLP and our management development consulting program play in this?
Initial situation: A company in transition
After more than 20 years of authoritarian management, the company was facing a major change. The new CEO wanted to initiate a comprehensive cultural change and establish an open and cooperative management style. All with the aim of making managers more responsible and developing their individual potential.
The biggest challenge was gaining the trust of the entire management team and getting everyone involved enthusiastic about the change.
Potential analysis as the key to success
In order to implement this process professionally, the VBLP team of consultants developed a potential analysis program for all managers. The modules were defined as follows:
- Support self-reflection: Managers should become aware of where they currently stand and how they would like to develop in the future. They reflected on their behavior (character traits), what drives them (values & motivators) and which skills they have or should develop. The methodology: An individually developed in-depth interview with 2 of our consultants, the use of a personality analysis tool and comprehensive feedback discussions with each individual.
- Promoting team spirit: The aim of the exchange and the joint workshops was to strengthen team spirit.
- Exploiting individual development potential: Each manager recognized their own potential and is now actively shaping the next steps in their professional and personal development.
The aha moments and turning points
The potential analyses proved to be a real game changer. The managers were impressed and enthusiastic about the findings and requested further individual coaching sessions. The subsequent workshops offered on relevant topics such as communication, collaboration and leadership helped to further strengthen the team spirit and anchor the new management principles.
An important “aha” moment in the consulting process: the managers realized that they themselves have to be role models and can actively help shape change.
The greatest success: A strengthened management team and a new corporate culture
The greatest success of the project is undoubtedly the change in the management team. The managers’ initial skepticism towards the project gave way over time to growing enthusiasm, which was steadily reinforced by the successes achieved. They now work more closely together, communicate more openly and are prepared to break new ground. The corporate culture is developing positively, processes are becoming more efficient and team spirit is growing. This is of course also reflected in the work and project results and, not least, in the company’s success.
The next steps
Further measures are planned to ensure that the cultural change is sustainable:
- Individual further training: The topics of leadership, culture and values will continue to be supported in the future and the range of workshops and coaching sessions will be continuously developed.
- Onboarding new employees: New employees are integrated into the corporate culture in a targeted manner.
- Potential analysis as a personnel development tool: Potential analysis is established as an integral part of personnel development.
Our conclusion
The potential analysis as part of our management development program has proven to be a very valuable tool for successfully driving cultural change at our client. By promoting self-reflection and team spirit, a management team has been created that is actively shaping the future of the company.
Original quote from an employee:
“We can take away and implement a lot directly. The consulting team has extensive practical experience, they are our people! This means that the valuable theoretical content always has a very good practical relevance. In addition, the open exchange of ideas has had a very positive effect. “
Changing the corporate culture is a lengthy process, but the initial successes are promising. With a clear vision, the commitment of everyone involved and VBLP’s consulting support, our client will master its path to a successful future.
