Challenge 

Tolero Solutions client, a technology startup in growth mode, had received an additional round of funding to develop the next iteration of their product. 

The problem – they were struggling to continue to serve customers on the current version of the product and to meet development and release timelines necessary to make their ideas for the next iteration a reality.

Solution

Tolero Solutions engaged with the client, and their board of advisors, to collect data regarding why innovation and delivery were declining and to support the client in identifying ways to get back on track while reinvigorating a culture of innovation. 

• As no prior data collection had been performed at the organization, Tolero Solutions conducted employee, leadership and stakeholder interviews, to collect information on a variety of process, culture and technology factors impacting innovation and performance
• Facilitated customized workshops on topics including, strategy, Agile project management and change management and team performance and accountability, providing processes and practices to enhance collaboration, communication and innovation
• Created an internal communications toolkit and process and established new innovation campaigns for teams to reach out and engage with one another to share ideas, needs, concerns, handoffs and risks
• Conducted Tolero Solutions culture assessment and delivered feedback and improvement sessions to increase levels of employee engagement and enthusiasm, as data collection showed reduced levels of employee engagement and satisfaction given increased volume of tasks and tight timelines

Results

• Employee engagement increased dramatically and innovation campaigns that were generating minimal enthusiasm before the change in approach increased in participation by nearly 60% and the number of new ideas and innovations from participants nearly doubled
• The quality of product enhancements and iterations increased as did timeliness of delivery, exceeding previous delivery timelines by nearly 2 weeks  
• Increased levels of communication among individuals and teams leading to greater diversity of innovative ideas and increased customer satisfaction 
• Established strategic alignment among leadership and the board of advisors on near term and long term priorities, goals and targets, and developed processes for ongoing communication collaboration