Background

A Support Services company was growing so rapidly - both organically and by strategic acquisitions - that it was struggling to integrate its numerous systems, processes and cultures, some of which were directly conflicting. Senior managers faced major challenges controlling the expanding operations - a problem that was compounded by delays when trying to access key management information. Further pressures were also crowding in from the company's customers, who were demanding efficient back-office solutions to complement the company's existing operational outsourcing services.

Working with its partners, Baxter Neumann, Atmaana helped management to re-organise the business along market-facing lines, underpinned by world-class back-office functions.

The company announced its plans to the City, giving an ambitious deadline to deliver the new corporate structure.

Atmaana's role

Atmaana helped design the most appropriate structure for the business, before project-managing the transfer of the finance and payroll functions to a Shared Service Centre (SSC). Over the course of nearly two years, the consultants managed the entire scope of activities, including process and organisational design and implementation, communications and stakeholder management, project team leadership and coaching.

Atmaana also helped introduce a programme office, playing a key role in managing the relationships with a number of 3rd party service providers, including SAP, and coordinating the activities of a project team of more than 100 people.

The consultants also worked closely with the company's Board members to build a business case that supported the SSC. They also ran several workshops across the country, explaining the purpose of the changes and the many benefits of the new ways of working to company staff.

Deliverables

Atmaana, working with Baxter Neumann, helped the client reorganise its entire business on market-facing lines, and identified key staff to lead the new structure.

Atmaana led the delivery of new SAP-based finance and payroll processes and the revised organisation into a state-of-the-art SSC on time and within the client's budgets, thereby meeting City expectations too.

Client benefits

The company delivered its promises to the City in terms of a new structure and an SSC capable of delivering back-office services to its customer base. This included:

- A controlled financial and operational environment able to deliver consistent accurate information.

- Forecast annual savings of circa £6milion (20 per cent) in operational and staff costs.

- Common processes, systems and organisation, resulting in improved company-wide operational effectiveness.

- A world-class SSC, marketable to the company's public and private sector customer base.

To find out more about this project, or Atmaana's extensive range of services, contact Steve Clews