Here's how we used Big Picture to bring together a team to develop a shared view of their business which helped them focus on what success means.
The desired outcome: One shared view of the business with clear roles and the measures of success understood ensuring daily activities are driving success. These were the objectives of a 3- day Big Picture piece with an ambitious and growing business with a successful track record looking for that next step (~25 strong team).
The context: It's not a lack of effort nor the team being short on skills that is holding the business back. Often as the focus grows in particular areas then there is less time looking at the whole picture and there is a knock-on impact of developing one part of the business without the others, as some parts risk being left behind.
The approach: Giving everyone a voice with a blend of one-to-ones and workshops each of the team have a chance to express themselves with frankness and honesty - their perspective of the organisation and the Challenges and Opportunities they see. Away from the office some punchy analysis of the Big Picture, the Practitioner using patterns, feel and judgement to show the results in a slimmed down visual that captures the key themes of the shared view. For this particular business a shared view of the most important areas required to grow their business were uncovered and give people a shared goal.
Now a familiar representation stands pride of place in the office to play back and represent the shared views of those who have contributed. Individual contributions are kept on show as a reminder of the voice of each member of the team, allowing their unique view to be reconciled at any point as the Big Picture exploration continues.
We play back key messages to the group refining and shaping the Big Picture as the discussion flows. Following the Big Picture Path each feature of the organisation is probed enriching the understanding every minute. With frequent breaks and a chance to interact with the Big Picture Office board each step is greeted with a series of nods and comforting glances that say 'yes- that's just what it's like'.
Challenges are identified and made sense of in respect of the whole. There are no hiding places - idealistic views of easy pickings and quick wins are validated against a realistic view of the business and gaps in understanding are filled. The collective penny drops and a sense of 'so what can we do about it' follows.
Measures are picked out with the Opportunities turning shared understanding into practical activity for all concerned. Each individual, now sharing the context with their colleagues, identifies their own area of attention sometimes in their own domain but more often in another.
A small number of Opportunities are selected to make the most difference and turned into actions with owners and dates. Clarity is maintained by keeping a reference to a 'done-up' version of Big Picture in the office. A sequence of these will provide a time-lapse view of the business as time moves on.
What the client says:
".. drawn out tricky issues and clarified in a way we all 'get'"
".. turns what was concern into positive thinking toward influencing the business"
".. establishes trust and empathy as to the needs of others"
".. realisation we've been doing some things without realising the effects"
"A line in the sand.. to share and re-focus the teams"
"Really positive, love the mechanism of how it plays out, something to come back at regular intervals. Fantastic!" Managing Director
We can help you achieve this same clarity in your business with a light-touch, highly effective engagement.
Thanks to Bev Holden of the Clear Thinking Partnership and Sarah Janes, Managing Director of The Security Company, for making this happen,
