Case studies

Winning Through

How can you do yourself justice when you’re being interviewed for your own job? This was the question facing people in a local authority service area that was undergoing reorganisation. VOX helped them find answers and grow in confidence.

Challenge

A group of senior council managers and some of their less highly-ranked colleagues were caught up in a major reorganisation and downsizing. This meant they had to apply for their own jobs, in competition with people from outside the organisation. As part of the process, they were required to make presentations and attend job interviews.

Clearly, the stakes were high– much higher than for applicants who are just looking to move from one job to another. These people were well used to handling tough situations in their day-to-day work, but this was different: the context, the process and at least one of the potential outcomes were deeply troubling. In view of this, and with so much to lose, how could they gear up for the challenge, perform to the best of their ability and win through?

Solution

VOX was asked to design and deliver four days of group and individual training that would enable each applicant to do themselves justice. The sessions focused on developing the participants’ confidence, helping them to recognise that the selectors’ perceptions of them would be governed by how they spoke as well as what they said, and equipping them with practical techniques for making a positive impact.

As well as exploring a range of specific topics – managing nerves, speaking with energy and passion, handling interview questions and so forth – the coaching was intended to:

  • Provide the participants with skills that would also be useful in other contexts
  • Help them recognise that they were still valued as professionals
  • Help them stay motivated in spite of the circumstances
  • Provide a safe environment for open communication

Results

These were talented and committed people; VOX’s job was to enhance their ability to demonstrate this through the way they communicated.

Virtually all of them succeeded in retaining their jobs. They went into the presentations and interviews with their heads held high, engaged the audience and earned respect and trust. They demonstrated that they still had passion for the work and were prepared to embrace change.

As in so many cases, VOX has been invited back to deliver a different kind of coaching now that the organisation has undergone further reorganisation and is keen to regroup and look to the future. VOX looks forward to running both team days and one-to-one coaching sessions for such outstanding members of staff.

What our clients say

Other case studies

Delivering Major Change

When a university had to move thousands of its staff members to a new pay-grade structure, there was a pressing need for skilful and sensitive communication. VOX helped managers across the institution rise to the challenge.

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Gearing Up for a New Reality

When a small company becomes part of a big one, it can be all change for the staff. VOX helped a firm in the creative industries adapt to new circumstances by boosting their confidence and honing their communication skills.

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Influencing Up

Top politicians benefit from the input of impartial advisers. But what if the advisers have trouble connecting with more senior people? VOX helped a group of such individuals develop communication skills that matched their intellectual prowess.

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Inspiring Excellence in Teams

A firm operating in 40 locations had to be sure that all its senior players were able to articulate a compelling vision and lead people effectively. VOX worked with them to strengthen the skills they needed to inspire their teams.

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Managing in Turbulent Times

Financial constraints … complex change … restructuring – it’s a familiar story in local government. VOX helped a large group of managers prepare for testing times by sharpening communication skills on which so much would depend.

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Pitch Perfect

An international company needed its IT specialists to be able to pitch business proposals to clients with greater success. VOX’s role was to equip them with practical techniques for engaging audiences – including difficult and critical ones.

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Turning to a Trusted Adviser

A senior academic had a range of important communication challenges over the years, including bidding for multimillion-pound grants, giving high-profile media interviews and speaking at international gatherings. VOX supported them at every turn.

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