Articles

FDI - VIRTUAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT ACROSS FIFTEEN TIME ZONES

When the FDI World Dental Federation (FDI) set out to create a consensus statement on sustainability in dentistry with the support of five industry partners, the project seemed complex enough in itself – even before the pandemic forced the organisation to move everything online. With the help of Black Gazelle, the FDI managed to turn a challenge into an advantage and create a comprehensive document supported by a wide range of actors from across the sector – as well as sow the seeds of sustainable change in dentistry.

VIRTUAL LEADERSHIP AT HELABA

Helaba, a commercial bank and organization which operates across multiple and increasingly interlinked locations, recognized the fact that effective Virtual Leadership is a significant success factor. With this in mind the following two fundamental questions are particularly significant: With which specific methods and techniques do managers need to be equipped to work effectively in the virtual world? Which specific communication skills do they need in order to build trust-based relationships with employees?

Mindful of the objective to support the managers, not only on a technical but also on organizational and cultural level, Black Gazelle Consulting implemented the ‘Virtual Leadership’ training project at Helaba in 2015. Karsten Bich, Head of Human Resources, explains: “We would like to increase the managers’ awareness of what it means for employees when they feel isolated and to equip them with methods and techniques to foster successful virtual teamwork and collaboration.”

IFBC - A GLOBAL VIRTUAL LEARNING PROCESS

The International Federation of the Blue Cross (IFBC) is an independent, non-governmental health development organization dedicated to preventing and reducing the harmful use of alcohol and illicit drugs especially among children, youth and families. Furthermore, it advocates evidence-based alcohol policy formulation and implementation on national and international levels. Through the activities and projects of its Secretariat and 42 member organizations (MOs), IFBC aspires to ensure that all people have the opportunity to knowingly choose and live a life free of addiction to alcohol and drugs. In addition, IFBC activities seek to provide people harmed by alcohol and drugs with access to the benefits of high quality and holistic treatment. Internationally, the Blue Cross is organized as a federation of local and national organisations of differing sizes, strengths and capabilities.

SECO TOOLS – LEADING CHANGE VIRTUALLY ACROSS EUROPE

When Seco Tools set out to restructure resources across their European markets, they knew the project would involve many difficult conversations, complicated by a short time frame. Despite being well-versed in virtual working, the company decided to get Black Gazelle on board to help streamline the process and support the aspects related to the human side of change. Seven of the managers involved shared their experiences with us.

UMICORE - HIGH PERFORMANCE IN THE VIRTUAL SPACE

Umicore is a global materials technology group offering materials and solutions that are at the cutting edge of new technological developments essential to everyday life.

One senior international team approached Black Gazelle Consulting with the aim of improving the effectiveness of their virtual team meetings. While the team concerned were somewhat unhappy with their current meetings, they were not convinced that training in working virtually was a good use of their valuable time. The senior level of the sponsorship and the very time efficient offering from Black Gazelle Consulting, convinced the client that it made sense to go ahead.