The start
Two regions, East and West Africa, are merging into a single combined region to produce more impact, reaching millions more people while also reducing costs. The 11 Country Directors who previously enjoyed their own budgets and local freedoms did not welcome this.

Philip the Regional Director designate asks Tony to asemble and align the new leadership team (a 30 strong combination of Country Directors, predominantly British, and locally appointed staff, all African) in a transition year leading up to the implementation date.

What happened?
Tony invited Ben to assist him in facilitating an initial 3 day workshop. We assembled in Nairobi in an eerily positive atmosphere of curiosity, mutual respect and enjoyment. Sensitive questions including budget were being settled easily and a new way of working was emerging... then with only three hours left and departures looming, profound difficulties arose.

Small groups seemed to freeze: one group failing to reach agreement kept over-running and another was upsetting people by forcing decisions. We highlighted what was happening and worked through the heated emotions, until a transition plan was finally signed off. Everyone caught their flights.

By the end?
Two years later this region's customer base had increased threefold, income was up 80% while costs had also been reduced by 10%. This early meeting had set us on the right track as evidenced in participants’ feedback. However the initial difficulty with closure was inescapable. Six months later in Cameroon we reconvened the team and worked on their behaviour, practising how to get the real issues on the table earlier.

In Philip's words: “The meetings that you’ve facilitated have been both developmental as well as instrumental in achieving tangible objectives. I value the support you provide before and after. You transform our objectives into a tangible programme that is both enjoyable and challenging. You seem able to work with whatever is presented and rethink the programme as different issues emerge. This demonstrates more professionalism and commitment than I have seen from other management consultants and takes a great load from my shoulders. It really is a pleasure to work with you both.”