Redacted Case Study: Investment Firm

Situation:

• Firm’s partners recognized that they needed to strengthen the firm’s game in the human capital arena
• They fundamentally believed that there was a strong correlation between the quality of their human capital decisions and the firm’s ROI

Next Step's Actions

• Assessed the firm’s strengths, weaknesses and readiness for next fundraising process
• Conducted Next Step’s proprietary 360º survey for all investment professionals
• - Provided feedback and coaching to all
• - Enabled graceful role changes for some
• Established and supported the firm’s Human Capital team
• Facilitated pivotal partnership meetings (strategic planning, compensation reviews, etc.)
• Assisted deal teams by conducting organizational due diligence
• Shared Next Step’s Organizational Toolkit while working with deal teams
• Helped multiple management teams overcome organizational challenges
• Invested in the firm’s funds and directly in many portfolio companies

Impact

• Firm consistently performs in top quartile or decile
• Investment professionals mastered Next Step’s Organizational Toolkit

Case Study: Portfolio Company

Situation:

• Wireless technology company
• After one year of venture-backed, rapid growth…
• - Private equity company invested significant sum
• - Next Step hired to help the company’s leadership team build an organization capable of implementing ambitious, multi-national expansion plans

Next Step’s Actions:

• Assessed, motivated and retained key executives
• Team building: 360º feedback, coached the CEO and key executives
• Assisted with the merger and integration efforts between CCI and companies located in the U.S. and Europe
• Mapped and improved core processes… a critical steps toward strengthening project management, budget discipline and accountability
• Facilitated various strategic and project planning efforts
• Designed and led executive development program for company’s leaders
• Assisted the CEO and Board of Directors with succession planning and governance

Impact:

• Successful IPO and exceptional exit for all investors
• Current enterprise value exceeds $12bl

Case Studies: Fortune 500 Companies

For GE, the team led the “Work-Out” effort within several divisions for 6 years. The well-publicized “Work-Out” effort was sponsored by GE’s Chairman, Jack Welch.

• Breakthroughs in the following areas: reduced bureaucracy and unnecessary workload, streamlined organizational structure, accelerated cycle times, improved service, integrated acquisitions, and created new models for leading large-scale change efforts
• Effort credited with saving literally billions of dollars, generating significant incremental revenues and inspiring a large, global workforce to work “simpler, faster and better” every day
• Divisions included: Aircraft Engines, Appliances, Transportation, Plastics and others.
• Several team members also served as Change Acceleration Process coaches at GE’s Learning Center in Crotonville, N.Y.

For Pacific Gas & Electric, the team co-led a two-year, reorganization and cost-reduction effort sponsored by the company’s entire executive team

• Assembled and managed teams of employees focused on reducing the cycle time of all critical activities: from nuclear power plant outages to customer service calls
• PG&E documented over $270 million in savings
• This project earned our client the Personnel Journal’s Optima Award (top award for financial impact associated with a corporate change effort)