Cases
Transforming an organizational culture of a Mexican Financial Company.
From a financial culture to an innovation culture
To enhance a huge growth spurt within the financial industry the organizational culture needed to be aligned with the values of the organization.
Business challenge
This company wanted to put their slogan “From a GREAT place to work to the BEST place to work” into practice. They wanted to encourage transformation via practices towards more collaboration, communication, transparency, and openness: Becoming an innovative culture capable to support the innovation strategies of the company.
Solution
We customized a strategic plan for this client and its specific objectives; we set a timeline for several interventions: problem-analysis of all the organizational layers, advice-report, pre-results and actions. Playful, yet effective methods were at the base of the implementation process. LEGO Serious Play, interventions in changing the physical environment, reinforcing innovative leadership and effective management were our alongside tools.
Results and benefits
People felt involved in the change process which made the whole transformation successful. The change in the company´s culture was perceivable:
- New collaboration practices,
- a real innovation culture along with its processes and practices
- a more innovative, efficient and agile financial but human company.
Pop-up Event Blue Monday
Blue Monday as Stepping Stone
This event was all about addressing the value of relaxation and humor, enhancing creativity, practicing ways to create focus and concentration and warming up association capabilities.
challenge
This client from the financial industry wanted to titillate employees and getting them out of their comfort zone in a no-strings-attached way.
This in order to get employees out of their demanding work conditions and to let them get energized whenever they wanted and felt like it.
The event would take place on “Blue Monday” a day which is seen as the most depressing day of the year. The client wanted to be the event a surprise as well, whereby the employees got informed about everything on the day itself.
Solution
The idea that came out of this challenge was to offer a threesome pop up workshop teasers on three different times of the day. Since the event also needed to be a surprise, we decided to bombarding the department in a fun way (with a music blaster and as humor doctors and via e-mails with video’s).Also a week before the event we spread “rumors” (posters about Blue Monday).
The teasers took only half an hour so people could easily make time for it. Since the event took place on Blue Monday we linked the teasers to this day as well. Therefore we’ve let the whole department get acquainted with exercises which enhances humor, a playful mindset and relaxation to get energized and to deal with their demanding work conditions.
Furthermore we showed some video’s about Blue Monday and how to beat it. Finally we also talked about “How to beat the Meeting Blues” and pitching the message to also link content of the day to their own business challenges.
Results
Employees were really surprised by the event and they were amazed by the beat the blues mailings.
Furthermore there were lots of positive responses on the fact that the event took place!Preparations and workshops went smoothly and the whole event proceeded as planned and as hoped for.
They loved being pulled out of their comfort zone in such a playful way. Attendees became energized, a bit more focused and learned ways to get into a creative mode, how to enhance association capabilities and how to kick meetings up a notch.
Also, we wanted to stimulate creativity by activating different brain-areas through combining hands, ears, eyes with the famous “Lego Serious Play” method.
Pimping up Events:
Using our incredible creative minds to create the best possible experience!
By seeing things in a different perspective and by letting our creative juices flowing we enable companies to kick there events up a notch and create an experience of the highest level.
Business Challenge
When companies want to get the best out of there events. For example when they don’t have enough experience to do so, or because they would like to use our intense creativity to act upon a star.
From beginning till end, from looking from the side lines to accompanying the event, from content to physical appearance; we’ve got the expertise and we will let our creativity play its rightful part.
That is why one of our clients wanted our guidance in two events to blow everyone’s mind. The events were a brainstorm event and an innovation conference both with all their innovation managers around the world.
Business Solution
First, we provided a train the trainer workshop on “How to Give a Brainstorm in an Effective yet Mind Blowing Way” to teach the team in questionall the ins and outs of brainstorms.
After this we worked out the brainstorm-event together. What are the best possible ways to get the best outcomes? At the event itself we were also present and helped out in guiding the brainstorm, energizers and interviewing attendees.
We did the same with the innovation conference, but also added some creative ideas, activities and program structure to keep the event interesting and encouraging for all attendees.
Bussines Result
Attendees were surprised by the event’s structure and interactiveness.
where no boredom could take place. Attendees left with a positive vibe, and a bunch load of enthusiasm. When we organize an event or a learning experience, we make sure it becomes immersive.
So, theattendees will remember the message not only the day after, but also a month after.
Therefore one thing is clear;you can be certain that people will leave the day inspired, optimistic, energetic and with a big smile…;)
Team Building
Building a Public Relations Team to Better Business
Strenghtening a team’s effort and building one team where all noses were made to point in the same direction.
Business Challenge
At a department Public relations several different teams needed to be integrated. Due to its differences, collaboration was at times fraught with obstacles and could therefore be enhanced. The goal of this intervention wasboosting the atmosphere on the work floor, enhancing team work and strengthening team spirit.
Business Solution
To exactly find out what collaboration challenges this team were facing, we found it extremely important to execute an analysis by using depth-interviews.
Next an extended advice-report was being presented in which we offered several team building interventions: Lego Serious Play & Business Constellations; Building your Team to Better Business; and Teamwork in Practice. These interventions were all structured in a playful, yet content rich manner.
Bussines Result
Due to this approach we looked at things in a lighthearted way, but always with an underlying message. Benefits were in line with self-reflection, team bonding, giving effective feedback and shaping etiquette rules together by which an enhanced team spirit could take place.
The interventions were finalized with a huge poster about everyone’s personal contributions. Putting up this poster makes sure everyone gets reminded by it every day.
Building Business with Bricks
Forming a solid team with the playful method of LEGO Serious Play
This workshop enacts a collaborative and creative process, encouraging creative thinking and sharing of values and meanings. This allows a constructive discussion where participants negotiate and share ideas and literally build new ideas together by building individual and shared LEGO models.
Business Challenge
Given the fast-changing and dynamic environment of this client, the challenge is to have a strong corporate strategy team that is able to work together in an effective way.
In a diverse team you will always have to deal with different personalities, skillsets, and perspectives. Our client was struggling with team cohesion and was looking for ways to bring the members of the team closer together.
Business Solution
With the LEGO Serious Play method we focused on the issues that were playing a role within the team. This method is very suited for teambuilding exercises, as it enables you to get to the core of things in a playful and lighthearted manner.
Every single team member got to express themselves by building different models that represented their role in the team and how they felt about it.
Bussines Result
After the workshop the team members got a better idea of each other’s backgrounds, motives and perspectives of things.
This has helped the team to reduce conflict and increase cohesion. Due to the combination of fun and seriousness, the team had gotten closer together without much ‘heavy’ moments.
CHO Vision posters & Stickers
Inspiring and humorous posters or stickers to get that message across.
For multiple companies we’ve designed posters and stickers to titillate innovation, to communicate change and to stimulate an organizational culture that stands out from the crowd. These are not just ordinary posters and stickers, no these are posters with a vision dipped in a humorous and humane sauce. Posters that make you think and hopefully let you explore the world (or your organization) in a different kind of matter.
Challenge
Several organizations wanted to convey a specific message. Messages for the purpose of boosting innovation and creativity, promoting important initiatives, endorsing change and encouraging an inspiring organizational culture. One that fits best to the values of the business and the people who are making the business.
Solution
Posters and stickers with a humorous touch can get the message accross. Besides humor, every organization could need a bit more inspiration. But we always want to involve all layers within the organization to create the commitment that is fundamental for organizational growth.
Results
Inspiring and humorous messages that makes you think about your business in a different way. It opens your eyes, broadens your view, strengthens your organizational culture and actually it can bring your whole organization to the next level. Because humor makes you perceive things in a more lighthearted way, you can even communicate the “unthinkable”.