PUBLISHED IMPROVEMENTS

The Indiana Technical Operations (ITO) division of Bristol-Myers Squibb has accomplished significant operational improvements over the last few years including an 80% reduction in cycle time, 75% work-process reduction, five times faster inventory turns, doubling of productivity, improvement in first-pass quality yields from below 80% to nearly 95%, and reaching more than 800 days without a lost-work-time accident. How did they do it? An article published in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Magazine (who named ITO the winner of their “Team of the Year” competition in the large organization category) credits a three-pronged approach of Lean Manufacturing, Factory Physics, and The Fisher Group's team training and consulting.

LEADING VIRTUAL TEAMS

A senior management team at Microsoft selected the Distance Manager training to help them strengthen skills in leading geographically dispersed teams. The Fisher Group tailored a workshop to meet their unique requirements and helped them achieve “nearly-immediate improvements” through “very practical tools” such as team chartering, boundary conditions, and technology-use protocols. return to top

THE GOOD GET BETTER

An international industrial giant with an established reputation as a Wall Street winner, decided to improve already outstanding results by empowering employees. One division reported a 17% improvement in productivity and a 49% reduction in scrap only a few weeks after the Fisher Group training. Some participants in the Leadership Skills workshop called it "life altering." In spite of economic challenges, FG training continues in the company because it gets sustainable bottom-line improvements. return to top

BOTTOM-LINE RESULTS

After a few consulting sessions, certification in The Fisher Group's Leadership Skills and Team Development Series, and a lot of hard work from outstanding internal consultants and trainers, Capital One announced a remarkable 1,638% internal rate of return on the project with a 79% ROI. Savings are estimated at 1.3 million US dollars per year. return to top

IMPROVING SKILLS

McDonald's used the Leadership Skills and Team Development Series programs to strengthen skills in the corporate finance organization. The Fisher Group taught a customized version of the Leadership Skills class supported with online assessments to supplement the face-to-face course. A specially trained team of McDonald's accountants taught the Team Development Series to all employees. The response to the training exceeded expectations. The Leadership Skills class, for example, received a remarkable average of 4.9 on their long-used 5.0 evaluation scale. return to top

After an extensive international search process, a team of Cummins Power Generation (CPG) executives, virtual team leaders, and HR representatives chose The Fisher Group to provide training to their leaders of global teams. The Fisher Group customized The Distance Manager program to incorporate CPG training modules on the Cummins Engine performance management system, Cummins diversity principles, and how to use the company’s webconferencing and intranet platforms. Co-instructed by CPG staff, the program was delivered to several hundred managers from the President of the corporation to the first level supervisors of distance teams. return to top

ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE

In partnership with the Teamsters, Tropicana Orange Juice decided to empower employees and create a team-based culture. Using the Implementing Organizational Change course, The Fisher Group trained more than 860 managers and union members in the skills of creating lasting organizational change. HR, engineering and other staff members attended the Staff and Technical Expert Role course for special training on how they would support the effort. The courses were credited by both union executives and plant management for improving relationships, reducing resistance to change, and providing essential skills. return to top

EXECUTIVE COACHING

A Nike manager chose the Fisher Group for personal executive coaching. A Fisher Group consultant observed the manager in action and provided feedback and a personal tutorial in key leadership skills concepts. The manager saw immediate results from the coaching and found it to be "a very positive and useful experience." The manager was promoted a few months after completing the coaching.