The new cluster had been formed to utilise the know-how of the various energy companies and create synergies. The newly appointed CEO sought to clarify the expectations of the various companies and formulate a clear purpose and assignment for the new company. What would the new cluster accomplish? What common vision could they agree on?
The art of listening and creating dialogue
Usify was commissioned to help the cluster formulate both its current and desired position. Initially, all of the owner companies were interviewed to identify their expectations, goals, and wishes. Not entirely unexpectedly, these were both different and contradictory.
Once the interviews had been carried out, Usify brought the various owner companies together for workshops to gain an understanding of and insight into everyone’s different perspectives. Instead of the interview results being presented to the group, the participants were allowed to interview each other in pairs. The cluster’s CEO was given the task of walking around and listening to the interviews in order to get the gist of what the various participants were saying.
Visual maps to clarify connections and structure
The participants discussed questions such as “What is the deal?”, “Who is our customer?”, and “How should our collaboration be structured?”
There was a need to sort out connections and a basic structure. To this end, Usify used visual methods in which participants would draw a map of the value chain and visually demonstrate what value was created for whom and how.
From confusion to consensus
By stepping in with the right methods and an outside perspective, Usify was able to effectively lead the participants forwards and in a short time create both consensus and shared vision. After the workshops, the CEO formulated a directive for the new cluster based on all of the participants’ input. This directive served as an important starting point and provided guidance for the collaboration on the new cluster.
