High-Performance Teams

Executive summary

High-Performance Teams

High Performance Teams and Business Partnering provide for a unique opportunity to bring all stakeholders together to develop a cohesive and comprehensive plan to accomplish the mission at hand. High Performance Teams is a continuous process which begins with the Executive Team and flows to all parties involved. The process results in the development and ongoing implementation of a plan or completion of a major project, program or situation with continued support. High Performance Teams and partnering enhances communication between stakeholders and parties involved and provides the ability to identify consequences from every angle for maximum ability to grow, develop, enhance the presence, enhance the bottom line for profit, save money, enhance quality and maximum productivity, reduce risk of every type and assist the team in the ability to work together for maximum success for all. Experience consulting in many industries leads to the belief in the need to build teamwork and leadership skills among personnel working together on a project or mission. Statistics show that the process of HP/Partnering dramatically improves the odds of achieving a productive and successful working relationship among organizations and individuals and when a successful HP/Partnering relationship has been established, a positive impact is seen. The process also establishes a joint commitment to resolve conflicts by providing a forum where conflicting issues can be escalated and resolved. In this forum, preventive action plans can be developed for problem areas. The result is increased trust and expedited decision making to produces a beneficial outcome for all parties involved and keeps the focus on the project or mission at hand. High Performance Teams benefit nearly any situation from development and implementation of a strategic plan to project specific situations and may be beneficial for internal situations, but also situations that may involve a multitude of different organizations.

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Service Methodology

High Performance Teams and Business Partnering provide for a unique opportunity to bring all stakeholders together to develop a cohesive and comprehensive plan to accomplish the mission at hand. The High Performance/Business Partnering process requires work with the Executive Team initially and ongoing and continued work with the organization teams. Executive Team meetings serve to: Provide awareness and understanding of the partnering process; Solicit a common vision of what is to be accomplished through the process; Define the benefits for stakeholders; Identify key issues for each of the stakeholders; Provide awareness of the process of issue resolution; Define leadership roles for senior managers and job-site partnering champions; Define workshop agenda items not previously identified; Solicit a common vision of what is to be accomplished by utilizing the partnering process. The Executive Team plan presented to the Project Team includes an integrated and comprehensive Charter and goals to define the commitment and identify support. The stated goals will be used to develop specific measures for team performance. The charter will be signed by all parties and posted in a prominent location on the project to remind everyone of their partnering commitments.

A Team Report Card is developed to measure the performance of the team and to encourage mutual accountability to team goals. An evaluation survey is completed and analyzed continually over the life for trend/sentinel event analysis and to determine opportunities for improvement. An issue resolution matrix is developed to define how the team will resolve problems when teammates disagree or when personal conflicts arise. It will also define day to day decision making. The matrix will define principal communication points, decision-makers, and decision-making levels for each organization in the issue resolution process. Senior management will be encouraged to require escalation of all unresolved issues. Landmines in the Field problem solving focuses on identification, prioritization and development of action plans to deal with project-specific obstacles and issues. Action plans are documented for monitoring performance to ensure accountability to team members. Team members will be encouraged to proactively identify and solve problems throughout the life of the project utilizing this proven, structured, problem solving approach. The Personal Profile Survey is conducted as an exercise to build strong relationships. This profile is a tool that allows the team to identify a work environment most conducive to success. The most effective teams are those who know themselves, know the demands of their situation, and adopt strategies to meet those needs. Together, the Executive Team, Partnering Team and consultant continue partnering process efforts to ensure the process is continually utilized. Follow-up and reinforcement meetings are conducted through the life of the project or implementation of a program or plan to review and update the partnering tools, integrate new stakeholders into the process, work on ongoing or identified problem solving activities, conduct statistical analysis and ongoing review, and the identification/celebration of success stories and best practices.

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Service Options

Companies can elect whether they just require Appleton Greene for advice and support with the Bronze Client Service, for research and performance analysis with the Silver Client Service, for facilitating departmental workshops with the Gold Client Service, or for complete process planning, development, implementation, management and review, with the Platinum Client Service. Ultimately, there is a service to suit every situation and every budget and clients can elect to either upgrade or downgrade from one service to another as and when required, providing complete flexibility in order to ensure that the right level of support is available over a sustainable period of time, enabling the organization to compensate for any prescriptive or emergent changes relating to: Customer Service; E-business; Finance; Globalization; Human Resources; Information Technology; Legal; Management; Marketing; or Production.

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Service Mission

The use of High Performance Teams/Partnering has been vital and successful in many situations and in different industries. Ms. Rotelli has consulted in a High Performance/Partnering capacity for 20 years as the Owner and Senior Consultant for a National Consulting Firm for typical but also for high-profile and high dollar situations in the areas of defense, defense contracting, construction, large acquisition systems, and healthcare; bringing many out of claim status for successful completion. This experience has shown, statistically, the need to build teamwork and leadership skills among personnel working together on a program or project to include implementation of strategic plans. This process dramatically improves the odds of achieving a productive and successful working relationship among organizations and individuals, whether internal or external to include many different organizations or stakeholders. The objective of partnering is to develop a plan that will guide the team throughout the duration of the project. The process focuses on developing a team of stakeholders united by a common mission, defined by a set of measurable goals. The process also establishes a joint commitment to resolve project conflicts by providing a forum where conflicting issues can be escalated and resolved. In this forum, preventive action plans can be developed for problem areas that may impact the quality, productivity, and safety of the project. The result is increased trust and expedited decision making which produces a beneficial outcome for all parties involved, and keeps the focus on the project. In this regards, Ms. Rotelli has not only facilitated successful completion, but the desire for organizations to work together, triple growth and national presence, cost savings for the taxpayer and warfighter in the billions, 26-45% increase in profit 24-48% increase in productivity and the successful completion of over 50 precarious projects and programs with the identification and celebration of hundreds of success stories and development of best practices.

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Service objectives

The following list represents the Key Service Objectives (KSO) for the Appleton Greene High-Performance Teams service.

1. Business Partnering
   Business partnering is the development of successful, long term, strategic relationships between stakeholders, personnel, customers and suppliers, based on achieving best practice and sustainable competitive advantage. In the business partner model, stakeholders from differing organizations or industries work together to develop a cohesive and comprehensive plan to accomplish the mission at hand. The process may also be utilized within an organization whereby professionals work closely with business leaders, managers and personnel to achieve shared organizational objectives. In this regard, individuals come from different backgrounds, have different life experiences and hold different beliefs and perceptions. A team may consist of individual professionals that are experts in differing fields. Not only is it important to identify these perspectives and perceptions from the customized point of view, but it is important to identify different types of issues each customer or supplier may experience and the consequences to the situation at hand. Partnering enhances communication between stakeholders and parties involved and provides the ability to identify perceptions and consequences from every angle for maximum ability to grow, develop, enhance the presence, enhance the bottom line for profit, save money, enhance quality and maximum productivity, reduce risk of every type and assist the team in the ability to work together for maximum success for all.
2. Customer Service
   Customer service is a balancing act between organizational goals and objectives and the perception of the public or customer. Where the organization must make a profit to survive, profit is largely dependent on providing what the customer believes to be good service. The definition of good customer service involves giving customers a good first impression of the business, a friendly greeting and helpful attitude, as well as a good lasting impression. It is said that determining the customer’s needs and solving problems quickly will lead to satisfied return customers. Every organization is different and involves different products and services. It is vital for the organization to not only understand what good customer service means to their customers, but to identify for themselves what good customer service means to them. A High Performance Team provides a unique opportunity to assist in making this determination. The process affords the ability to identify organizational goals and coordinate these goals with customer perceptions. In addition, employees and personnel better understand these perceptions and organizational goals and are better able to coordinate the effort for maximum benefit. In addition, quality, productivity and all identified customer service facets are identified and explored from all perspectives to identify risk levels and determine methods to reduce risk, enhance customer perception and ensure that the organization is able to lead and support the customer service effort. Focus is then placed on the definition of empowerment within the organization, employee and personnel perceptions of empowerment, and how to provide outstanding customer service within the parameters identified at each level of the organization. The world of business is ever changing. Customer Service High Performance Teams provide an ongoing process of identification of these changes and methods to continually improve customer service.
3. Strategic Plan
   Strategic planning and implementation is an ongoing process within most successful organizations. It is important to develop a plan that can actually be taken to fruition and is monitored and reviewed on a regular basis. Utilizing High Performance Teams in the Strategic Planning and Implementation process has been proven to not only assist in the development of a meaningful plan that can be carried out, but implementation that involves continuous monitoring and resolution of issues that arise along the way. It involves development by the Executive Team but allows input from the entire organization; information that is vital to the development and implementation. In turn, the entire organization has an understanding of the plan and the goals of the organization, every department has a role and every individual understands how they participate in meeting the mission and goals. The process results in the development and ongoing implementation of the plan and ensuring completion of goals and subsequent projects, programs or situation with continued support. The process also establishes a joint commitment to resolve conflicts by providing a forum where conflicting issues can be escalated and resolved. In this forum, preventive action plans can be developed for problem areas. The result is increased trust and expedited decision making to produces a beneficial outcome for all parties involved, and keeps the focus on the goals and plan. Incremental issues are identified that may impact the organization, with methods to combine all aspects for maximum success to include new growth opportunities. High Performance Teams and partnering enhances communication and provides the ability to identify consequences from every angle for maximum ability to grow, develop, enhance the presence, enhance the bottom line for profit, save money, enhance quality and maximum productivity, reduce risk of every type and assist the team in the ability to work together for maximum and ongoing success.
4. Project Management
   Let’s face it. Projects and programs, whether designated within one facility or that involve a multitude of different organizations or industries involve different people with different perceptions and perspectives and experience to bring to the table. Ms. Rotelli has consulted in a High Performance/Partnering capacity for 20 years as the Owner and Senior Consultant for a National Consulting Firm for typical but also for high-profile and high dollar situations in the areas of defense, defense contracting, construction, large acquisition systems, and healthcare; bringing many out of claim status for successful completion. This experience has shown, statistically, the need to build teamwork and leadership skills among personnel working together on a program or project to include implementation of strategic plans. This process dramatically improves the odds of achieving a productive and successful working relationship among organizations and individuals, whether internal or external to include many different organizations or stakeholders. The objective of partnering is to develop a plan that will guide the team throughout the duration of the project. The process focuses on developing a team of stakeholders united by a common mission, defined by a set of measurable goals. The process also establishes a joint commitment to resolve project conflicts by providing a forum where conflicting issues can be escalated and resolved. In this forum, preventive action plans can be developed for problem areas that may impact the quality, productivity, and safety of the project. The result is increased trust and expedited decision making which produces a beneficial outcome for all parties involved, and keeps the focus on the project. In this regard, Ms. Rotelli has not only facilitated successful completion, but the desire for organizations to work together, triple growth and national presence, cost savings for the taxpayer and warfighter in the billions, 26-45% increase in profit 24-48% increase in productivity and the successful completion of over 50 precarious projects and programs with the identification and celebration of hundreds of success stories and development of best practices.
5. Leadership Development
   A leader provides direction, implements plans, and motivates people. Different styles can be utilized for different business, political or situations. Organizational culture should drive the identification of a leader and the type or types of leadership styles that are utilized at all levels of the organization. Utilizing High Performance Teams in Leadership Development assists the organization to compare and contrast different theories of leadership, evaluate the attributes of leadership, distinguish between managing and leading the organization and to identify the types of leaders and styles utilized at all levels of the organization. Once identified the process is utilized to help in the development of leaders and styles within the organization, motivation and methods to make the changes necessary, training and development of the leaders and styles, and sustenance over time. Competencies are developed to assist in assessing change and tied in to performance of individuals and teams, but also tied in to the vision, mission, goals and objectives of the organization. In addition, emotional intelligence and critical thinking are explored as a means to become a resonant leader that motivates others and makes good decisions. This often becomes an ongoing goal identified within the strategic plan. Leadership becomes an ongoing process and is continuously monitored with ongoing training or development as company needs, services, products, customers and risk levels change. In addition, new personnel are drawn into the process and leadership development becomes an integral component of new employee orientation and ongoing development of existing personnel or personnel moving to different positions.

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Achievements

Drury Construction

Drury Construction employed the services of Ms. Rotelli for development and implementation of their Strategic Plan. As such, High Performance Teams was utilized for this process. The process involved a review of every aspect of the organization externally and internally, development of a vision, mission, goals and objectives. The process served to not only determine overall direction for the organization, but ensuring that every aspect of that direction took into consideration every aspect of the organization. Working through the process, the team learned to analyze quality, risk management, human resources, compliance, communication and finance. The end result was nothing short of outstanding and involved everything from new training and safety manuals to diversification of products offered. This process evoked growth from $50 million to $150 million in less than a year and a national presence.

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Department of Defense

High Performance Teams/Partnering was utilized through this consulting firm for over 50 projects to include heavy highway and industrial: highway corridors, roads and bridges; mining; the federal courthouse; nuclear power plant conversions to name a few. The projects were so successful for all parties involved that they requested customization of the process for manufacturing and large acquisition systems for the Department of Defense. Many of the projects were nearing claim status and once filed, the product would not be manufactured or delivered to the warfighter where there was a critical need. In addition, there could be 15 stakeholders or more on one project from different industries and some were for-profit; others not for profit. The process resulted in projects coming out of claim status, the projects were completed and the products delivered.

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Healthcare Program Development and Compliance

High Performance Teams has been utilized for many different purposes in healthcare from the transition of outdated quality and risk management programs to submitting organizational plans and financials to Medicare for inclusion into the Centers of Excellence Program. In utilization for updating quality and risk management, success was achieved and proven through many audits and surveys with no major recommendations. Twenty healthcare facilities requested compliance and inclusion for Centers of Excellence which involved revitalization of the organization, negotiations with the physicians on reimbursement and development and submission of documentation necessary for inclusion. Of the 20 facilities involved, 19 were approved by Medicare for inclusion in the program resulting in significant reimbursement adding to the bottom line.

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Construction in 15 States

High Performance Teams was utilized for over 150 heavy highway and industrial projects to include highway corridors, bridges, mining projects, federal courthouse construction, industrial buildings, Del Webb developments, Turner Construction projects and more. These projects involved, oftentimes, 15 different organizations on one project, some of which were for profit and some not for profit. All projects resulted in completion under schedule and budget, but also the desire of these organizations to work together again on other projects.

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Healthcare Re-Modernization Program

High Performance Teams was utilized to determine why this $22 billion project had failed twice previously, the current status of the third try and to compete the program. In a remote location with little oversight and utilizing High Performance Team methods and concepts, connectivity was established with the customized server, the testing and evaluation was developed and ready for use, policies and procedures established, and testing underway in less than 6 months. Ongoing efforts ensure connectivity, establish equipment, and work issues that arise in a facility, for certain procedures, or in the field. It has been said that this effort will save lives and reduce risk military-wide.

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More detailed achievements, references and testimonials are confidentially available to clients upon request.

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Industries

This service is primarily available to the following industry sectors:

Construction

Construction is a mainstay of our economy. The United States is in need of an overhaul of roads, bridges, dams and every aspect of its foundation. Sink holes are evident in areas where that foundation has existed for sometimes 100 years. Costs are increasing and compliance will become increasingly stringent. In addition to the foundation itself, the United States is growing with thousands of people moving from different countries and is in need of more housing and businesses to take care of the peoples’ needs. Time is often of the essence and sometimes there are not enough qualified people to do the job. High Performance Teams is necessary for all major or precarious or politically inclined construction projects to ensure successful completion of the project by facilitating stakeholder relationships, enhancing communication, and bringing the project in under schedule and under budget.

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Healthcare

Healthcare is an extremely precarious industry. In order to survive a profit must be made. However, risk abounds due to the nature of the patient, outcomes and attention to customer service and its intent. Costs are increasing and reimbursement is decreasing. Recently the number of physicians and other specialized healthcare personnel is declining. Disciplines have become increasingly specialized, reducing the ability to treat the whole patient. The cost of drugs, in some cases, has skyrocketed. Drastic measures are taken to prolong a life when the quality of life may or may not be there. It is vital for healthcare organizations to take a step back and formulate good strategic plans that make sense and ensure implementation through High Performance team efforts. It is extremely important to partner with all efforts and organizations that may impact healthcare in the facility and work with them to develop relationships to maximize success for all involved.

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Consultancy

Rather than attempting to ensure that an organization has a specialist in every area that may or may not be utilized on a consistent basis, and to keep labor costs down, many organizations outsource or hire a consultant. If there is an initial need and then periodic needs, it makes sense to hire a consultant rather than pay labor costs for full time equivalents. As a result, organizations hire consultants on an as-needed basis. In addition, oftentimes, a consultant has been an employee in similar organizations or has consulted for many organizations in the industry or other industries. In this regard, a consultant may bring new, innovative ideas to the organization to improve or to help them develop and grow. Consultants have a need, then, to have a process at their disposal to help them be organized, work with many organizations and to form relationships with the organization for the long haul. Consultants can benefit from utilizing High Performance Teams to not only help them develop but also implement and work to develop a lasting relationship with the client.

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Defense

The United States prides themselves on being the best defense in the world and having the best military in the world. It takes work to secure this title, but it takes an ongoing effort to maintain. The alternative is not an option. Yet the money comes from taxes and the public becomes increasingly unwilling to pay more taxes to ensure their emphatic defense. Recently the United States military has been given a significant boost in their budget. They must spend it wisely and maximize the effort. It has been proven that High Performance Teams helps the Department of Defense determine how to spend the money, but also to ensure completion under schedule and under budget. At times one project may involve 20 stakeholders. This process has been proven to dramatically improve the odds of achieving a productive and successful working relationship among all stakeholders. The military could benefit greatly by utilizing High Performance Teams in the future, as well, to improve relationships, cut costs, increase productivity and, ultimately to ensure that the warfighter maintains the status of best defense in the world.

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Education

After working in the public and private arenas as an employee and as a consultant and also teaching for 20 years, I have found that it is critical that people be able to understand how theory correlates to practice. Organizations hire people with degrees and are unsure if they understand how to apply the theory. It is also important from year to year to determine the needs