The early 21st century is proving to be a watershed
for most corporations worldwide. The era of "globalization" has
left many managers scrambling to understand the nature of the forces
of change in their particular functions and businesses, what responses
are most appropriate, and, above all, how they can manage the more
complex strategies and operations on an ongoing basis.
Lawson International's consulting services for organizational
effectiveness helps companies and operating units within enterprises
develop and manage the organizational capability to implement new
and more complex domestic and global strategies.
The Elements of Organizational Effectiveness

Organizational Capability and Alignment
Many of the world's largest corporations are in
flux. New pressures have transformed the global competitive game
forcing these companies to rethink their traditional worldwide strategic
approaches. The new strategies, in turn, have raised questions about
the adequacy of organizational structures, systems and processes
and staffing and skills used to manage domestic and global operations.
The disappointments and failures companies have
encountered in their international and domestic operations are not
due primarily to inappropriate strategic analysis but to organizational
deficiencies. Most managers within worldwide companies recognize
what they need to do to enhance global competitiveness. The challenge
is how to develop the organizational capability, the organizational
structures, administrative processes, and management perspectives
to implement new strategies. For this to occur, an integrated, systemic
approach is needed.
The Lawson International Approach
Our integrative process focuses broadly on the global
competitive environment facing the organization, on the organization's
purposes and internal functioning, and on the processes through
which continuous organizational learning can be attained. This approach
calls for assessing the organization from a multitude of perspectives.
We utilize an organizational assessment model that
examines the alignment or fit among:
The
organization's strategy;
Its
structure;
Supportive
systems and processes;
Staffing
and talent capability;
Needed
skill sets;
And
the organization's shared values, or culture.
A variety of data generation and analysis techniques
are utilized, including working sessions, individual and focus group
interviews, benchmarking assessment, strategic business and competitive
analysis and "consensus building" meetings framed against organizational
improvement hypotheses, pinpointing change management, timing investment,
and implementation requirements.
The Benefit
As a result of working with Lawson International,
the client is able to implement needed organizational alignment
changes by sequentially:
Influencing
the understanding and perceptions of individuals, particularly those
in key positions.
Modifying
the communication flows and decision-making processes.
Consolidating
and confirming structural realignment and responsibilities.
Other
benefits of the Lawson International approach include:
An
opportunity to build and manage effective internal organizational
processes as a primary source of competitiveness.
Senior
management confidence in the business relevance of new, proposed
functional processes, aligned with strategy.
Renewed
administrative systems, organizational processes, and management
practices required to lead the organization going forward.
Integrative
management of the organization's internal and external network as
a source of competitive advantage.
|