Environment Agency Wales Case Study
- Client:
- Environment Agency Wales (EAW)
- Project:
- 'Confident Communication' cultural change
‘TSOC were always able to supply the variety of people we needed and these ranged from Organisational Development consultants and executive coaches, to event facilitators and professional actors. All of these people, whether TSOC consultants or partners maintained the professional standards we have come to take for granted.’
HR Manager
Result: Our evaluation process is currently underway, incorporating quantitative and qualitative data gathering, through surveys, story collection, and interviews. Partner comments demonstrated considerable pleasure and surprise at being invited to undertake a truly different conversation with the agency, and a number of new relationships have been forged that will drive further beneficial environmental outcomes.
Individuals have found the new way of communicating helpful – moving from primarily ‘reasoned’ to much more active and vibrant – and an internal communication coaching network is in the process of being developed. And of the design team, all three team leader members gained promotion as a result of their increased communication skills and their increased understanding of and commitment to the cultural change EAW sought to achieve.
Situation: In the context of the Environment Agency’s development rebranding decision, the Welsh region identified a need to move from a predominantly regulatory stance with its customers and partners, towards one of advocacy and influence.
Task: Following a competitive tendering exercise, TSOC was selected to deliver a ‘Confident Communication’ programme. This organisation development project was designed to touch 85% of the workforce: all managers down to team leader level. The programme needed to be effective across hierarchy, geography and national and corporate functions within the region; in addition, partner perceptions were to be assessed as a means of providing an extra driver for the project.
Action: Over a period of 17 months, and addressing managers and staff in all areas/locations, we delivered a cohesive programme of tailored activity, including: assessment (self and 360); skills development for approximately 760 people over a five-week period; supporting more effective delivery of corporate messages; executive coaching for managers and individuals spotted as having potential/talent; design, preparation and delivery of partner conferences in each of the three areas; and comprehensive skills and design ‘clinics’ for EAW staff participating in the conferences.
We worked with an internal design team as a means of building confidence and capability, and provided online access to assessment activity, as well as managing and evaluating all external participation in the conferences.
Feedback:
‘TSOC were always able to supply the variety of people we needed and
these ranged from Organisational Development consultants and executive
coaches, to event facilitators and professional actors. All of these
people, whether TSOC consultants or partners maintained the
professional standards we have come to take for granted.’
HR Manager
