Consensus Convergence™ is a proven and proprietary group decision-making system that consistently produces a shared vision, a strategic action plan and tangible, transformational results in a collapsed time frame.
Consensus Convergence™ is a highly engaging and structured process that draws upon the collective experience and knowledge of the entire group in a methodical way and results in focused action. It fosters cross-functional alignment and a deeper collegial relationship among the group’s participants. Once learned, it also serves as a model for group decision-making in other areas of the organization.
It can be used in the boardroom or on the shop floor, to reach group consensus and action on business decisions ranging from large, transformational issues to increasing revenue and margins, as well as operational problem-solving.
Here is the summary of a session we conducted recently with the senior management team of a publicly traded industrial company. The challenge was to bring a cross-functional team together and generate actionable ideas for growth.
- We started by introducing participants to the group decision-making techniques we would be using (e.g., brainstorming, ranking/multi-voting, SWOT and cause-and-effect analysis).
- We then led the group through a brainstorming exercise to generate over 60 new ideas for company initiatives that would grow revenue, margin and market share.
- Those 60+ ideas were then subjected to a variety of convergent thinking practices to derive a short list of seven ideas.
- We then conducted a SWOT analysis for each idea on the short list, and by consensus settled on four.
- The client then formed breakout groups with elected leaders for each idea. The groups conducted a cause-and-effect analysis on their initiative to determine important questions to answer, resources needed, next steps and timing.
- Each breakout group then drafted an action plan for their idea and became the team responsible for implementing its tangible and measurable goals for capital spending, revenue, margins and market share.
- After the two-day session, we prepared a board-ready presentation that the client now uses as the basis for their strategic growth plan.
It is vital to a client’s success that we get inside the “plumbing and wiring” of the business by investing in a time- and cost-efficient process before a two-day, on-site facilitation session such as the one described above. Session preparation can include peer benchmarking, research and interviews with selected members of a client’s management team and board of directors. We work from a base fee that adjusts depending upon the complexity and extent of the client engagement.
Please contact us to explore how you can use Consensus Convergence™ to create a shared vision and drive focused action in your organization.