ORGANIZATIONAL TRANSFORMATION

 

Executive Transition Management

Strong leadership is absolutely necessary for an effective organization, but the process of leadership change is often difficult and distracting from an organization’s mission and delivery of services.

Getting the right guidance in planning and implementing an effective, efficient organizational transition is crucial. Doing the transition process right allows an organization to recruit and retain the right new leader – someone who will ensure an organization’s health, sustainability and results for years to come.

Our ETM consulting teams provide the review, planning and facilitation services an effective transition requires. Every organization’s specific situation varies, but the key aspects of our ETM services are:

      • Building organization-wide consensus for the essential skills, abilities and qualities required in the new leader
      • Creating specific and comprehensive transition plans for leadership change
      • Assuring that key concerns of vital stakeholders, especially board and staff, funders, and clients, are understood and that stakeholders remain confident and invested in an organization’s future
      • Facilitating and supporting a Board of Directors’ search for leadership with tools, templates, resources and guidance at every step
      • Guiding the process as the departing leader steps down and a new leader is integrated

 

 

Interim Executive Directors

Whether planned or unanticipated, the departure of an executive leader can result in a loss of direction and momentum. For those organizations that need a steady hand at the wheel during the vital search for a new permanent leader, an Interim Executive Director is a great option.

ESC offers the Chicago area’s first and largest pool of highly experienced and trained Interim Executives. Coming from long successful careers as executive directors of a wide variety of nonprofits, ESC Interims are talented and skilled leaders who provide calm, insightful stewardship for organizations in transition. Their temporary services create the time and space the board of directors and other stakeholders need to recruit the best candidate for permanent leadership. Additionally, an Interim leader can help the new arrival get started without an overwhelming learning curve or impending crises. Among the benefits of utilizing an ESC Interim are:

      • Guaranteeing uninterrupted workflow and stability for programs and services
      • Providing an unbiased and expert arbitrator during the time of transition
      • Clarifying expectations of new leadership and maintaining positive staff and board morale
      • Recognizing a leader’s departure and preparing the organization for a new Executive Director

 

 

Passing the Torch Workshop

A two-day workshop is held multiple times annually for nonprofit founders and long-time Executive Directors planning to retire or otherwise leave their positions in the next 1 to 5 years. The workshop is confidential and a safe place to ask difficult questions and takes participants through the essential personal and professional planning needed for the best possible transition for themselves and their organizations. The workshop includes:

  • Discussing the succession and transition planning processes and review of key issues
  • Establishing a pro-active approach for enhancing organizational capacity and sustainability prior to the anticipated departure
  • Creating an individually tailored succession and personal plans to meet each participants' needs and the realities of their organization

Passing the Torch will next be offered August 10-11, 2010. Download the registration form or contact Nancy Fuhrman for more information.

 

 

Mergers & Consolidations

For some agencies, the best way forward may be merging or consolidating with another organization. An effective consolidation ensures that the vital services each partner provides to the community are sustained while maximizing use of limited resources.

When exploring a merger/consolidation, the concerns and questions to be addressed can be overwhelming. ESC can facilitate the process as a neutral third party, deploying a consulting team that will walk agency leaders through a methodical review and planning process. Depending on each specific circumstance, ESC will customize an approach based on one of more of the following aspects of an effective merger:

      • Working with boards and staff to determine the benefits versus the costs and whether a merger/consolidation is appropriate, or what other options might be best
      • Utilizing a customized due diligence checklist to identify possible pitfalls and opportunities for increased success, and obtaining formal commitment from each party
      • Reviewing financial projections and preparing for integration of financial management and systems
      • Implementing the merger or consolidation through integration of governance, operations and related factors
      • Addressing the informal cultural aspects of each organization that matter to clients and staff