Most organizations use 360 cross-evaluations to develop their employees’ competencies and expertise. But 360 cross-evaluations can also be deceiving. A case in point: for Merrill Lynch, NetForm was asked to validate their 360 cross evaluation procedures. What we discovered was that in some cases, certain employees were given a high relative rating which when correlated with NetForm analysis revealed that these employees were at an average level of connection but their job design/placement was in a superior position. When Merrill Lynch has only one dollar to spend, they decided to spend their dollar on furthering the development and skills of this particular employee. They reasoned that if the employee were transferred or promoted because of “perceived” value, that the upstream hazard of his or her failure would damage the firm’s performance and reputation. In a separate case, Merrill Lynch discovered that a promising employee received a “low” 360 evaluation. When cross-tabulated with a NetForm analysis which revealed that this employee was a superior colleague across multiple networks, it was discovered that the job design for this employee in the “back office” was abysmal. When Merrill Lynch only has one dollar to spend, how do they spend it in this case? NetForm recommended that they re-design the job and retain the valued employee. This approach has been used by Merrill Lynch, JP Morgan and Schwab.
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→ Upcoming Event: RightBrains Events; Network science, Einstein and show-stopping data: Dr. Karen Stephenson, one of the keynote speakers at our June summer event! Don’t miss out on a chance to learn how technology enhances the power of networks! Tickets are available here
→ July 2019 - IntechOpen: The Clash of Cultures: Digerati and Devolution in the Twenty-First Century
→ May 2019 - RightBrains: The ‘accidental’ anthropologist
→ October 2018 - TrustSphere: Social Network Analysis Pioneer, Dr. Karen Stephenson Joins TrustSphere to Build its Science Advisory Board
→ January 2013 - Greensboro, NC: Social Network Analysis Expert Karen Stephenson Named Visiting Fellow at The Center for Creative LeadershipTestimonials
NetForm showed us how to increase the value of our company by leveraging the knowledge of our employees. I was able to successfully implement an acquisition strategy and sell the company at a much higher valuation.
Ken Follansbee, CEO
CTIVice Admiral McGinn, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfare Requirements and Programs at the Pentagon credits a NetForm analysis with breaking a bureaucratic logjam. “I think the metaphor Karen uses of being a radiologist for organizations is a good one,” McGinn says. “You take an X-ray or you take a scan of an organization with a survey, and then you analyze that scan to determine appropriate interventions.”
Vice Admiral McGinn, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations
Warfare Requirements and Programs at the PentagonWe identified strategic gaps using network analysis and this allowed our top leadership to effectively change its compensation structure to better recognize and reward team performance. The company reaped the benefits.
Joe Movizzo, EVP
Consulting ServicesNetForm identified significant gaps in our global structure. The analysis allowed us to quickly see where knowledge transfer was not occurring along global product lines. We then developed appropriate intervention techniques which ultimately proved significant in increasing revenue streams, particularly in the non-US regions.
Maria Leo, First Vice President
Merrill LynchInternational Paper employed NetForm Analysis during the acquisition of a Corrugated Paper facility in Wooster, Ohio. Edwin Ford, Plant Superintendent for the International Paper Corrugating plant found NetForm’s analysis of merger activity between two IP plants to be extremely useful. Ford explained: “I was astounded not only by the power of the data, but by the visual formatting of it as well. I did not anticipate how useful the survey results would be.”
International PaperJuan Carlos Bueno, CEO of Agar-Cross Dupont in Buenos Aires, Argentina, had the following to say when asked about his evaluation of NetForm’s services used during the adoption of a de-centralized business model that required large-scale organizational change: “Without a doubt, they dominate the network analysis tool, and what they obtain from it is excellent.”
Juan Carlos Bueno, CEO
Agar-Cross DupontJim Hackett, CEO of Steelcase, used NetForm to develop a new e-commerce business. “I am very excited about your relationship with us and our potential to change the impact of our products and planning principles to help our customers. It's a very plum thing for Steelcase when we get recognized for knowledge alliances like yours.”
Jim Hackett, CEO
Steelcase"I never knew we could use data like this to help us better organize and merge our divisions. It is the best consulting dollar I have ever spent.”
Corey Billington, Head of the Procurement
Hewlett-PackardNetForm® Resource Clients Include:
- JPMorgan
- Merrill Lynch
- Harvard
- Mobil/Shell
- IBM
- International Paper
- Hewlett-Packard
- The Department of Defense