Completed Work
The following list outlines some of our completed work. We do not publish client lists because we operate on the basis of non-disclosure by Tesseract Consulting. Excellent references are available upon request.
Collaborative Problem Solving
Facilitated problem-solving sessions with staff in a relationship of long-term conflict to develop working agreements and communication processes to enhance working relationships and productivity. Staff on both sides of the conflict independently contacted Pat to say that the other party seemed "to have become a lot more reasonable" after our sessions.
Recruitment
Facilitated working session with Board of Directors to develop selection criteria for hiring a new Executive Director.
Conducted confidential recruitment on behalf of professional services firms, for specialized support staff, financial staff and executives.
Supported CEO of a financial institution through formulation of strategy, as well as preparation for and conducting of hiring interviews for COO.
Manager Accountability
Designed new manager accountability system for a financial institution, briefed staff and supported COO in implementation. The goal of achieving greater clarity about expectations and standards was achieved by the first quarterly review.
Staff Development Plan
Created a staff development plan for new leader of insurance division, to support her goals for the coming fiscal year. Goals were achieved within 3 quarters.
Succession Planning
With a professional services firm, developed a succession plan to move the firm from having exclusively senior staff of similar age to a having a workforce of more diversified skills and ages. Recruited new staff for developmental positions.
Staff Workload Review
Researched responsibilities of staff at three locations of a public institution, and wrote and presented report to Review Committee with suggestions for changes and identification of inconsistencies and problems. The result was more consistent decision-making across locations and elimination of non-value-added activities.
New Employee Orientation Program
Designed, researched and wrote an employee orientation for all administrative, teaching and management staff, and updated annually. The final product is web-based, with support documentation consisting of a supervisor's guide and employee manual.
Job Descriptions
Wrote job descriptions for 26 senior staff positions, to reflect new organizational design and accountability structures.
Created job descriptions for staff working from coast to coast for a successful international publishing company. This clarity was a significant factor in selling the business two years later.
Personnel Policy and Procedures Manual
Clarified policies and procedures which had been approved or were informally in practice and documented them in a user-friendly format.
Human Resources Administrative Policy Manual
Researched requirements to ensure adequate control by management, consistent with organizational philosophy of entrepreneurship and observing employer responsibility for due diligence regarding harassment and employment legislation. Wrote policy discussion papers for management as necessary to clarify issues and management decisions. Wrote manual for review and approval by General Manager and Board. The manual has been shared with 8 other similar organizations in other communities, and now serves as the model for the region.
Organizational Redesign
Redesigned organizational structure and position responsibilities to stabilize operations when a senior manager left.
Custom Workshops
Workshops are developed for clients based on their goals, culture and available resources, and facilitated in an energetic and motivating style. Following is a list of some workshops we have developed.
- Creating a Vibrant Sales Culture
- Supervisory Leadership
- Success in the Workplace
- Communication and Teambuilding
- Creating a Healthy Workplace
- Communicating for Quality Control
- Time and Stress Management
- The Manager's Role in Small Business
- Being an Effective Facilitator
- Communication as Negotiation
- A variety of Board governance workshops
Workflow Analysis, Client Service
Analyzed operations of support staff of a recreational facility and made recommendations for efficiencies and enhancements. Improvements were achieved at virtually no cost.
Business Practices Reviews, Administration
In four separate projects for one client, reviewed business practices in the Registration Office, Finance Department, Director's Office and Human Resources Department to identify opportunities to improve effectiveness and efficiency. By working closely with staff and management throughout, recommended changes were informally agreed to by affected staff prior to final reporting and implementation.
Business Practices Review, Management Information System
Reviewed administrative practices in all aspects of the organization's services to clients to standardize data input for the integrated management information system. Identified options for improvements and made recommendations to the project steering committee. Developed options and recommendations for staff deployment to support consistent business practices. Documented revised procedures for staff.
Business Practices Review, Travel Office Organization
Organized office procedures and tools for greater effectiveness to adapt to the unique needs of the staff and maintain productivity in the face of significant change of staff capacity.
Business Practices Review, Video Production
Outlined tasks and developed tools and strategies for the producer to be well organized and efficient, freeing her up to focus on the production message.
Strategic Planning
Organized, developed support materials, researched, facilitated and documented strategic planning for eleven community organizations and three financial institutions. Strategic plans became foundations for three- to five-year action plans and accountability frameworks.
Annual Planning
Organized, developed, facilitated and documented annual planning for eleven community, professional and government organizations, some for four consecutive years. This provides the basis for teamwork and collaboration on results, key initiatives and continuous skill development through goal setting.
Program and Administration Manuals
Wrote twelve program manuals to document procedures. Required conducting research with program staff about procedures they had intuitively developed over years of taking ownership for a program.
Community Health Centre Planning
Consulted with stakeholders to plan an innovative Community Health Centre, from preliminary vision to action planning. Worked collaboratively with the Executive Director of the Nursing Centre and reported to the Board of Directors.
Safety Procedures Checklist
Researched legal and policy requirements, and developed a checklist to ensure that administrators take all steps required in situations of crisis or danger to staff and students.
Program Evaluations
Customized evaluations for not-for-profit organizations serving women, children, families and Aboriginal families. Program areas included family well-being, preschool, diabetes prevention, FASD support, nutrition.
Focus Groups
Conducted internal and external focus groups for accounting firm and reported to partners on results.
Foundation Newsletter
Developed new approach and focus for annual newsletter, which functions as a report to the public and to encourage donations to the organization.
Equipment and Furniture Acquisition
Developed list of all furniture and equipment required for three new middle schools. Conducted inventory, consulted with teachers and administrators and researched options. Invited suppliers to bid, placed orders and developed tracking systems.
Spatial Needs Analysis
Analyzed spatial needs for current operations through observation, research and consultation with staff. Developed recommendations to better use currently available space, including physical organization and work procedures. Developed an outline of optimum space requirements for a new facility.
Website Development
Liaised with the website development company to ensure that the company's needs were reflected in the website, summarized options and recommendations for senior management's decision and ensured accuracy and consistency in the final project.