Tools for your team's success

Tools-of-the-trade assessments spark enthusiasm and clear the way to your team’s success.

Assessments deliver tremendous value when used correctly by a skilled, experienced, energetic professional. Susan Chesnut, Principal of Business Achieve, eliminates the guesswork of knowing where to begin and how to effectively use these powerful tools.

The following case studies show how Susan Chesnut solved tough business problems with the support of expertly delivered assessments.

By improving internal communication, sales team improves customer retention

Problem:

Lack of communication between sales team members in a post-merger atmosphere resulted in lost customer contracts and incomplete or incorrect maintenance activity.

Solution:

Susan Chesnut delivered a three-tier program using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI) Workshop, individual interviews, and an MBTI Communications Workshop. As a result, team members reported better communication regarding customer issues, more willingness to assist fellow managers, and improved customer service.

Reward:

Lost contracts were recovered; new and existing customer retention rates steadily increased.

With leadership development training, engineering group shines

Problem:

The engineering department of a large corporation saw significant changes during a period of rapid growth. Department managers needed leadership development, and team morale needed a boost.

Solution:

Susan Chesnut tailored a leadership development program using Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI) as a core element. She assigned lessons and facilitated communication sessions.

Reward:

As a group, the managers developed a new vision for their department. Key initiatives included: a decision-making process involving individual contributors, a website to solicit team ideas, customer satisfaction surveys, and improved working relationships with other departments.

From lackluster to motivated, sales team surpasses goal!

Problems:

1. A sales team director had to quickly increase sales by 10%.
2. Results from the management team and direct reports were lackluster at best.

Solution:

Using the Fundamental Interpersonal Relations-Behavior FIRO-B Assessment, team members set goals related to their own motivations. The corresponding Workshop allowed managers to gain a clear understanding of how personal motivators affected sales.

Reward:

The 10% sales increase goal was easily surpassed!

Executive coaching positions VP for strategic project

Problem:
Often overlooked for high-visibility projects, a vice president desired some coaching to further develop his career.

Solution:

The Birkman Method® Executive Coaching delivered tactful and balanced methods of delivering feedback. Through this assessment, the VP became more responsive to objective feedback regarding his own performance.

Reward:

Results were two-fold: the VP was selected to spearhead an important strategic project, and he improved his relationship with his wife.

With conflicts resolved, marketing team transforms from “good” to “great”

Problem:

A vice president of marketing inherited a department of “good” performers. After interviewing managers and meeting with front-line employees, the facilitator discovered that unresolved conflict kept the department from reaching “high-performance” levels.

Solution:

This team needed a Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Inventory (TKI) and Conflict Management Workshop. Team members delighted in experiencing clear, united direction toward mutual goals. The group believed that in changing their approach, they would easily affect a future positive outcome.

Reward:

Once deemed unattainable, “high-performance” status was achieved!

Improved morale impacts television station’s ratings

Problem:

Poor employee morale and lack of involvement were contributing to poor ratings for a local television station.

Solution:

Performance Dashboard Inc.’s Organizational Effectiveness Survey was used to identify the communication gaps between staff and management. Station leadership used the survey results to establish benchmark metrics and analyze trends, which led to the development of a more robust business plan.

Reward:

The station’s market share improved dramatically over the next six months!

Susan Chesnut, Principal of Business Achieve, has helped dozens of business leaders and teams realize their potential through Personal Leadership Development and Team Building Training. Positive changes in productivity and performance are available to you, too!