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Below are case studies of recent projects completed by the Stonebridge HR Consultancy Team:

Human Resource Support Services & Strategic Review

Stonebridge HR Consultants were asked to provide an HR Managerial Service to a Photographical Imaging Business with on-site presence every week and telephone support to deal with what ever issues that arose. Due to the changes in the industry as a result of the increase in digital imaging it was imperative that the HR services provided commercial support to the business, rather than just being seen as a cost centre. The issues that were covered included: a downsizing exercise, employment law updates, running culture change focus groups, supporting managers in dealing with difficult people, supporting disciplinary processes, revising the staff handbook.

Paul Moss, Finance Director of Sangers Group Ltd. had this comment:

"It was a pleasure to work with Stonebridge HR Consultants. The consultant fitted into out culture very quickly and we actively sought her views and valued her input. She was highly professional and had a commercial approach to resolving HR issues. All the project work was extremely efficient. We keep in touch with Sue Busfield as we would happily use Stonebridge HR Consultants again should the need arise."

Sue Busfield, Director of Stonebridge HR Consultants, was asked to act as Interim HR Director for Punch Taverns plc for a period of 8 months whilst they recruited a permanent Director of HR. The assignment involved providing strategic input on HR matters and leading their HR team. Key activities during the period including reviewing benefits packages and implementing changes, finalizing a restructuring, project leading the HR aspects of both an acquisition and also a disposal where TUPE was involved, running an employee survey and driving the action planning following the survey, as well as provision of coaching to senior managers.

Giles Thorley, Chief Executive had this comment to make:

"Sue was, as ever, extremely professional in every aspect of her work. This professionalism was seen across all levels of staff. For example, the restructuring exercises always brought positive comments regarding the way in which leavers were treated. The HR function overall continued to move forward in a seamless fashion even though this was an Interim position. Due to Sue's skills and knowledge we are continuing to use Stonebridge HR Consultants even though our new Director of HR is in place."

Mergers & Acquisitions

Whilst Sue Busfield was Interim HR Director of Punch Taverns there was the acquisition of InnSpired Group. The first level of due diligence was carried out by the solicitors acting on the acquisition, thereafter it was Sue's responsibility to understand the HR implications of the acquisition and to put together the complete HR project plan to ensure a smooth integration. Activities included establishing a retention bonus scheme for the period of the business review, taking responsibility for the pension scheme, putting together an employee communications strategy for the acquisition, reviewing Terms and Conditions of employment, making new arrangements for benefits and payroll, and co-ordinating a comprehensive induction programme for the newly acquired staff.

Business Restructuring

Stonebridge HR Consultants were providing HR support for a restructuring which involved redundancies due to a reduction in business. There were discussions about the numbers of roles to be lost as there were just in excess of 20 positions and hence the need to carry out collective consultation. The Consultant was involved with the commercial and financial implications of the exercise, looking at the time required for handover of work and knowledge, and the cost implications of having to go through 30 days' consultation, versus the impact of delaying some redundancies for more than 90 days. Once a clear business plan had been agreed then the consultant planned the HR aspects of the project and coached the relevant managers. After the selection criteria had been established for the various roles and the meetings carried out it was then necessary to provide outplacement support to the staff who were leaving the business to better equip them to enter the job market.

TUPE

Stonebridge HR Consultants were responsible for the HR aspects of a disposal of part of the InnSpired Pub Company under an asset sale. There was no HR expertise on site and therefore it was essential that every aspect was covered in the project. As there were no existing consultation processes the Stonebridge HR Consultant established a mechanism for selecting representatives and then also took responsibility for running the consultations. As always in these situations one of the key aspects was to ensure timely and effective communications.

Peter Brook, Chief Executive of InnSpired, had these thoughts:

"I felt comfortable with the support and approach from Sue Busfield from the very first meeting. She displayed a real understanding of what the project would involve and how to get the desired results. It was noticeable how quickly Sue developed a rapport with the affected staff even though it was a difficult time for them. This helped to keep them focused on achieving the business results. Her involvement helped us to over-achieve our budgeted EBIDTA. The project ran like clockwork!"

Employment Legislation

Stonebridge HR Consultants were asked to re-draft the Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures for Sangers, to meet new legislation introduced in 2004. The updated procedures were briefed to both managers and staff to ensure a clear understanding of the changes and the new obligations on managers who would be implementing the policy. Having updated that part of the Staff Handbook, Stonebridge HR Consultants were then asked to review the remainder of the Handbook and ensure that it was in line with current legislation and to reflect the organisational structural changes that the company had undertaken.

Recruitment, Selection & Assessment

Stonebridge HR Consultants regularly carry out recruitment assessment centres. The format for a recent assessment centre included 2 competency based interviews, a group exercise, a practical business exercise, a personality questionnaire with feedback on the day, and a numerical test. This assessment centre was fully planned and facilitated by a Stonebridge HR Consultant. Positive feedback was received from both the in-house assessors and the candidates, who confessed to enjoying the day – once it was over!

Coaching and Professional Development

Stonebridge HR Consultants were asked to assist in a project regarding the assessment of competencies in professional sports people as part of their career planning exercise for careers after their professional playing career. The activities involved competency based questioning and a role play exercise to support 2 Saville and Holdsworth questionnaires, OPQ and Career Pathfinder (In-depth).

Jon Sleightholme, Managing Director (Rugby), Careers After Sport, had this to say,

"The Stonebridge HR Consultant quickly assimilated the required task and it was obvious from the very first report produced that they had developed a clear understanding both of our company approach and the requirements of the clients."

Stonebridge HR Consultants were asked to provide a coaching programme for a senior manager who had great potential, excellent technical knowledge but needed some support in developing his team management skills. Having met the individual and had discussions with his line manager it was clear that it would be imperative to find a coach that this individual would respect. Having identified an appropriate coach and facilitated the introductory meeting then the coaching programme got underway and there was positive feedback from both parties. The achievement of the objectives from the coaching were judged by both how the line manager identified improvements in the key competencies, the increase in confidence of the manager, and the increase in staff satisfaction and reduction in staff turnover within the team.

Reward Strategies

During the 8 months as Interim HR Director at Punch Taverns there was no shortage of reward related activities. A new car scheme was designed to meet the financial requirements of the company, whilst reflecting staff feedback and minimising the Health and Safety risks with both Company Cars and owner driven cars. The launch resulted in very few queries as a result of a comprehensive communication programme. The desired result in terms of the bottom line was also achieved.

The bonus scheme was due for renewal, and was in need of an overhaul to simplify the scheme whilst still retaining the key business drivers. Following a consultation process the simplification was achieved and employee reaction was positive, particularly as it was supported by better reporting on achievement of targets against the objectives. This improved reporting enabled managers to use the bonus scheme more effectively to performance manage their teams.

The annual salary review was supported by an extensive salary survey process involving local companies for office based staff and sector comparisons for field based roles. Through gaining a better understanding of base salary levels, total cash and total compensation for the roles, managers could be best advised on how to use their salary budgets most effectively. As part of the salary survey exercise it became apparent that the holiday entitlement for administrative roles was no longer competitive in the locality so this was adjusted upwards.

Of course reward is not just about reviewing existing schemes it's about introducing effective new benefits too The time was right to introduce an Employee Assistance Programme to enable staff to minimise their time spent researching information, and to provide counselling support for them and their families. A dental scheme was also provided to staff in response to the continual difficulties in the provision of NHS dentists.

The above Case Studies give a flavour of the projects Stonebridge HR Consultants have undertaken. For more information on how Stonebridge HR Consultants can assist your business, please contact us now.