People don’t want things to go wrong but now and again a contract doesn’t go to plan. There can be frustration all round. The client doesn’t get what he wants – even after asking several times and the contractor feels he is being unjustifiably hammered and doesn’t see the problem.

When people are too close to the “problem” they can’t help getting emotionally involved and this prevents them from stepping back to examine the real causes of lack of progress.

Startegy Improvers has a straightforward “tool” to get people to focus on the main issues, the solutions and measurable actions. We don’t do long-winded presentations justifying positions or top-down complex models!

Here’s how the Getting Contracts Back On Track tool works:

• A Strategy Improver’s facilitator meets the relevant parties to agree scope and a date for the workshop and gets permission to write to 8- 10 selected participants (4 – 5from each company) with a pre-workshop exercise.
• The facilitator writes to participants explaining objectives of the workshop and asks them to respond in detail to these two questions: 1. Give five things that the contractor could do to make this contract go better. 2. Give five things that the client could do to make the contract go better.
• All participants are asked to answer BOTH questions. Confidentiality is assured.
• All suggestions are analysed and grouped into similar categories and a handout produced to guide the discussion during the workshop.
• During the workshop the facilitator sets the scene and then asks the client to explain one of its requests. The resulting discussion results in an agreement and action. The contractor is then asked to raise one of its requests and again a note is made of the agreed action.
• The workshop continues for the day going through as many requests from both sides as possible.
• A “wash-up” session is arranged for six to eight weeks after the workshop. This motivates and is an opportunity to review progress and refine actions.

RESULTS?

This workshop produces a series of simple actions that will get the project back on track and builds better relationships between parties because people see there is no ill intent – just misunderstanding and lack of communication.

Please call for a no-obligation initial discussion - 01224 658303