Project TOWER

Company overview

• Industry: Construction

• Location: Glasgow

• Employees: 400

Situation

The client was a privately owned construction & civil engineering business that operates in many sectors throughout the UK, more notably in Defence, Stadia & Leisure, Healthcare, Advanced Manufacturing and Commercial & Life Sciences.

Challenge & Opportunity

The industry is known for its high turnover and low margins and over the years has had to deal with numerous headwinds such as Covid, inflation, skill shortages, material price increase, etc. The MD approached us to develop a programme which looked initially at improving how the Board worked together, and to work with them to agree a 5-year strategic vision, before then cascading to their teams.

Our Approach

Following a detailed preparation phase with interviews and review of current ways of working, we took the Board away to the Cairngorms for an intensive workshop. This included an adventurous outdoor experience, focus on team behaviours and 121 peer feedback, and creation of their own code of conduct. We also explored their positioning in the market, helping them craft a 5-year vision for the business, and detailing out quarterly objectives. 

Over 12 months, we supported their quarterly performance reviews: revisiting quarterly objectives to keep on track; reassessing current opportunities and risks; and setting priorities for the upcoming quarter – all on the One Pager for clarity and transparency.

With the Board jointly focused on a few priorities, it provided clarity on what mattered and what didn’t. Their disciplined rhythm of weekly check-ins helped drive progress, keeping everyone pulling in the same direction.

In Q3, we ran a series of cascade workshops taking each Board member away with their own teams, before then bringing the entire senior team (~40) together. At the 12-month point, with the Board confident running the execution methodology themselves, we stepped away with periodic check-ins for support where necessary.

Outcome & Impact

“Working with Albany Peak has been transformative for how the business operates. By agreeing our long term aims for the business, and focusing each quarter on priorities, we all – as a senior team – understand what must be achieved. The tools introduced have enabled us to keep this focus. The quarterly check-points enable us to step back and assess the new landscape and agree where we must act next. The concise One Pager we then work off provides real clarity through the business and momentum week on week. Having all staff aligned and onboard has been so beneficial. Since our engagement began, profit has both increased and stabilised YoY. The focus on behaviours and peer feedback has got everyone excited to be part of a higher-performing organisation. Staff retention has improved; staff surveys have pointed to an improvement in morale, communication and visibility of priorities and vision of the business. Albany Peak has undoubtedly been a critical partner in this journey.”

Paul G

Managing Director