Case Study
Financial Administration
Situation
Deluxe Corporation, a financial administration organization, was struggling with internal changes centered around an acquisition that involved reorganizing the reporting structure and merging call centers with sales centers, while trying to force that into an old siloed model. While management knew that strategy wasn’t going to work in a changing business environment, they were having trouble seeing past their own headlights, along with strong opinions and internal politics involved. Leaders didn’t feel the best ideas were being brought to the table and they worried they weren’t looking at each problem from the right angle.
They knew they needed an outside perspective. A director at Deluxe had previously worked with AdamsGabbert (AG) CEO/Owner Denise Kruse, and told Mark Byers, vice president – SBS Direct Channel, that AG needed to be his first call. A week later, Denise was sitting in Mark’s office.
Challenge
Reorganizing reporting structures and lowering employee turnover rate
Solution
Two-part engagement: Process Audit + Employee Retention
Solution
Prior to AG’s solution, Deluxe assigned each general manager (GM) based on skills. One GM, for example, would manage 10 jobs across five sites, requiring travel between every site and a major inefficiency in time management. Deluxe operated with this model for four years.
AG audited the model and process and recommended that each GM should be assigned geographically. Each GM would be accountable for every job skill within his or her location, including sales, support, operations and employee engagement.
Byers shared that AG went above and beyond, providing Deluxe with a custom solution: “I didn’t have a specific budget to work with, so we had to get a little bit creative,” he said. “They never handed me a menu of set prices and services; they talked through it and were able to find the best solution for us.”
“Working with AG gave me the confidence that we found the best solution. They were fantastic at listening, iterating ideas and partnering. We had rationale around why we’re going down this path; we knew we’ve looked at it from all different angles and were able to shift with confidence and with everybody on board.”
Results
Referring to AG as the “un-consulting firm,” Byers appreciated that Denise was always in contact and the work was not delegated down. Instead, Denise took the time to personally send emails, call and stop by the Deluxe offices.
“Working with AG gave me the confidence that we found the best solution,” Byers shared. “They were fantastic at listening, iterating ideas and partnering. We had rationale around why we’re going down this path; we knew we’ve looked at it from all different angles and were able to shift with confidence and with everybody on board.”